家老(かろう)

かろう
noun
chief retainer (of a feudal lord)
writtenoccupation
1. chief retainer, senior councillor
The highest-ranking retainer serving a feudal lord (daimyō). The chief retainer managed domain affairs and acted as the lord's primary advisor. A key position in the feudal hierarchy of the Edo period.
家老(かろう)が藩(はん)の政治(せいじ)を取(と)り仕切(しき)った。
The chief retainer managed the domain's politics.
殿様(とのさま)の留守(るす)の間(あいだ)、家老(かろう)が城(しろ)を守(まも)った。
While the lord was away, the chief retainer guarded the castle.
筆頭(ひっとう)家老(かろう)は藩主(はんしゅ)に次(つ)ぐ権力(けんりょく)を持(も)ち、藩(はん)の財政(ざいせい)や軍事(ぐんじ)を統括(とうかつ)していた。
The chief senior retainer held power second only to the domain lord and oversaw the domain's finances and military affairs.

Usage

A historical term from the feudal era, particularly the Edo period (1603–1868). Each domain (藩(はん)) had several 家老(かろう), with the 筆頭(ひっとう)家老(かろう) (chief senior retainer) being the most powerful. The position was often hereditary.

In modern usage, 家老(かろう) appears mainly in historical dramas, novels, and history discussions.

Common collocations

  • 筆頭(ひっとう)家老(かろう): chief senior retainer
  • 家老(かろう)職(しょく): position of chief retainer
  • 国(くに)家老(かろう): domain-based chief retainer (stationed in the domain)
  • 江戸(えど)家老(かろう): Edo-based chief retainer (stationed in Edo)
general
Added 2026.2.22 14:24 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
12500/12656_karou