草分(くさわ)け

くさわけ
noun
pioneer, trailblazer
person
1. pioneer, trailblazer, founding figure
A person or entity that is among the first to develop or establish something in a field. The literal image is of someone parting tall grass to make a path through uncharted land.
彼(かれ)はこの分野(ぶんや)の草分(くさわ)けだ。
He is a pioneer in this field.
その店(みせ)は日本(にほん)のフレンチレストランの草分(くさわ)け的(てき)存在(そんざい)だ。
That restaurant is a pioneering presence among French restaurants in Japan.
女性(じょせい)参政権(さんせいけん)運動(うんどう)の草分(くさわ)けとして知(し)られる人物(じんぶつ)の功績(こうせき)が見直(みなお)されている。
The achievements of figures known as pioneers of the women's suffrage movement are being reevaluated.

Usage

The word evokes the image of someone pushing through tall grass (草(くさ)) to forge (分(わ)ける) a new path. Often used with 的(てき) to form the modifier 草分(くさわ)け的(てき) (pioneering). Carries a tone of respect for those who came first.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • パイオニア: pioneer (loanword) — used similarly but feels more modern/international
  • 先駆者(せんくしゃ): forerunner, pioneer — more formal, Sino-Japanese word

Related Words

Compare: 先駆(せんく)者(しゃ) (forerunner, pioneer)
Compare: 開拓者(かいたくしゃ) (pioneer)
Compare: 先駆(さきが)け (forerunner)
general
Added 2026.2.27 17:38 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
13500/13998_kusawake