1.
feudal lord; lord of a domain
A person who rules over a territory or domain, particularly in the context of feudal Japan or medieval Europe. The lord held authority over the land and its inhabitants.
この城の領主は武田氏だった。
The lord of this castle was from the Takeda clan.
領主は農民から年貢を集めた。
The feudal lord collected annual tribute from the farmers.
戦国時代には、各地の領主が勢力を争い、戦が絶えなかった。
During the Warring States period, local lords competed for power and battles were constant.
USAGE NOTES:
領主 is primarily a historical term used when discussing feudal systems in Japan and Europe.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 大名 — a feudal lord of the Edo period, specifically a daimyo with land yielding at least 10,000 koku of rice
- 殿様 — lord (respectful/familiar term, also used figuratively)
- 藩主 — lord of a han (domain) in the Edo period
- 地主 — landowner (modern, not feudal)
領主 is more general than 大名 and can refer to lords of any era or country.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 領主の館 (the lord's manor)
- 領主が治める (the lord governs)
- 領主に仕える (serve a lord)