1.
magistrate, commissioner, governor
A government official in charge of a particular area of administration during the feudal era, especially the Edo period. Various types of bugyō oversaw towns, finances, temples, and other domains.
町奉行が裁きを行った。
The town magistrate passed judgment.
勘定奉行は幕府の財政を管理した。
The finance magistrate managed the shogunate's finances.
江戸時代の奉行は行政と司法の両方の権限を持っていた。
Edo-period magistrates held both administrative and judicial authority.
USAGE:
A historical term from the feudal era, especially the Tokugawa shogunate (1603–1868). The 奉行 system was the backbone of Edo-period administration.
The most well-known types include:
- 町奉行: town magistrate (oversaw urban administration and justice)
- 勘定奉行: finance magistrate
- 寺社奉行: temples and shrines magistrate
- 遠国奉行: magistrate of distant provinces
The famous TV series 遠山の金さん features a 町奉行.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 町奉行: town magistrate
- 勘定奉行: finance magistrate
- 奉行所: magistrate's office