殿様(とのさま)

とのさま
noun
feudal lord, lord
person
1. feudal lord, lord, daimyo
A lord or ruler in feudal Japan. Also used figuratively to describe someone who acts in an authoritative or pampered manner.
殿様(とのさま)は供(とも)を連(つ)れて旅(たび)に出(で)た。
The lord set out on a journey with his retainers.
江戸時代(えどじだい)の殿様(とのさま)は大(おお)きな城(しろ)に住(す)んでいた。
Feudal lords in the Edo period lived in large castles.
彼(かれ)は殿様(とのさま)商売(しょうばい)で失敗(しっぱい)した。
He failed because of his haughty business approach.
殿様商売: doing business in a lordly, complacent manner; not making an effort to attract customers

殿様(とのさま) was the respectful title for feudal lords (大名(だいみょう)) in Japan. Today it is used in historical contexts and figuratively to describe someone who acts entitled or pampered.

Common expressions

  • 殿様(とのさま)商売(しょうばい): lordly/complacent business style (not trying to attract customers)
  • 殿様(とのさま)ガエル: Japanese tree frog (literally 'lord frog')
  • 殿様(とのさま)気分(きぶん): feeling like a lord (being pampered)

Cultural note

Frequently appears in 時代劇(じだいげき) (historical dramas) and children's stories about feudal Japan. The image of 殿様(とのさま) is of someone powerful but sometimes comically detached from everyday life.

Related words

Related Words

Related: 大名(だいみょう) (feudal lord (historical))
Related: 武士(ぶし) (samurai, warrior)
Related: 家来(けらい) (retainer, vassal)
Related: 侍(さむらい) (samurai, warrior)
Related: 主君(しゅくん) (feudal lord, liege lord)
Compare: 領主(りょうしゅ) (feudal lord)
general
Added 2026.2.7 20:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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