1.
wealthy merchant; great merchant; powerful trader
A very rich and influential merchant, especially one from the Edo period or earlier Japanese history. Implies not just wealth but also social influence and often cultural patronage.
Composed of 豪 (grand, powerful) and 商 (merchant, commerce). Primarily a historical term, though it can be used figuratively for modern business tycoons.
Cultural note
In the Edo period, the merchant class (商人) was officially the lowest of the four social classes, yet many 豪商 accumulated enormous wealth and cultural influence. Families like 三井, 住友, and 鴻池 built commercial empires. Many 豪商 residences and storehouses (蔵) survive as historical sites.
Common collocations
- 江戸時代の豪商: Edo-period wealthy merchant
- 豪商の屋敷: merchant's mansion
- 豪商の蔵: merchant's storehouse
- 大豪商: great wealthy merchant