1.
head family; main family line
The main branch of a family, as opposed to cadet or branch families. The family that holds the lineage and inheritance.
2.
founding school; the originating lineage of a traditional art
The original or authoritative school of a traditional Japanese art such as tea ceremony, flower arrangement, or martial arts. The grand master who heads such a school.
An important cultural term with two related meanings. In the family sense, 宗家 is the main line that holds authority, property, and the family name. In the arts, it refers to the founding lineage that maintains the orthodox tradition.
Common collocations
- 宗家を継ぐ: to succeed as head of the family/school
- 宗家筋: the line of the head family
- 茶道の宗家: the founding school of tea ceremony
- 宗家直伝: taught directly by the grand master