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.
彼はこの分野の草分けだ。
He is a pioneer in this field.
その店は日本のフレンチレストランの草分け的存在だ。
That restaurant is a pioneering presence among French restaurants in Japan.
女性参政権運動の草分けとして知られる人物の功績が見直されている。
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) to forge (分ける) a new path. Often used with 的 to form the modifier 草分け的 (pioneering). Carries a tone of respect for those who came first.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 草分け的存在: pioneering presence/figure
- ～の草分け: pioneer of ~
- 草分け的な役割: pioneering role
SIMILAR WORDS:
- パイオニア: pioneer (loanword) — used similarly but feels more modern/international
- 先駆者: forerunner, pioneer — more formal, Sino-Japanese word