上座(かみざ)

かみざ
noun
seat of honor
1. seat of honor, head seat
The most prestigious seating position in a room, traditionally the spot furthest from the entrance. In Japanese etiquette, the senior person, guest, or person of highest status sits here.
部長(ぶちょう)が上座(かみざ)に座(すわ)った。
The department head sat in the seat of honor.
お客(きゃく)さまを上座(かみざ)にご案内(あんない)してください。
Please show the guest to the seat of honor.
会議室(かいぎしつ)ではドアから一番(いちばん)遠(とお)い席(せき)が上座(かみざ)になる。
In a meeting room, the seat furthest from the door is the seat of honor.

上座(かみざ) refers to the most prestigious seating position in a room, following traditional Japanese etiquette.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 上座(かみざ)に座(すわ)る (sit in the seat of honor)
  • 上座(かみざ)に案内(あんない)する (guide someone to the seat of honor)
  • 上座(かみざ)を譲(ゆず)る (yield the seat of honor)

SEATING RULES:

  • The seat furthest from the entrance is 上座(かみざ)
  • The seat closest to the entrance is 下座(しもざ) (the lower seat)
  • Guests, superiors, and elders are seated at 上座(かみざ)
  • This applies to meeting rooms, restaurants, taxis, and elevators

In business settings, knowing where 上座(かみざ) is demonstrates proper manners and respect for hierarchy.

Related Words

Antonym: 下座(げざ)
general
Added 2026.2.16 7:35 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:42
11000/11295_kamiza