主君(しゅくん)

しゅくん
noun
feudal lord, liege lord
1. feudal lord, liege lord, master
A lord to whom a vassal or retainer owes loyalty and service. Primarily a historical term from feudal Japan, frequently encountered in period dramas, historical fiction, and discussions of samurai culture.
主君(しゅくん)に忠誠(ちゅうせい)を誓(ちか)った。
He swore loyalty to his lord.
侍(さむらい)は主君(しゅくん)のために命(いのち)を懸(か)けて戦(たたか)った。
The samurai fought at the risk of their lives for their lord.
主君(しゅくん)を裏切(うらぎ)った家臣(かしん)は厳(きび)しく罰(ばっ)せられた。
Retainers who betrayed their lord were severely punished.

A historical term central to discussions of Japanese feudal society and samurai culture. Commonly encountered in 時代劇(じだいげき) (period dramas) and 歴史(れきし)小説(しょうせつ) (historical novels).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 主君(しゅくん)に仕(つか)える (to serve one's lord)
  • 主君(しゅくん)に忠誠(ちゅうせい)を誓(ちか)う (to pledge loyalty to one's lord)
  • 主君(しゅくん)を守(まも)る (to protect one's lord)
  • 主君(しゅくん)の命(めい) (the lord's orders)

RELATED WORDS:

  • 家臣(かしん): retainer, vassal (the one who serves)
  • 殿様(とのさま): lord (more colloquial/honorific)
  • 大名(だいみょう): feudal lord, daimyo (specifically a domain ruler)
  • 将軍(しょうぐん): shogun, military commander
general
Added 2026.2.18 6:38
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