1.
the inner palace where the emperor's consorts and attendants lived; imperial harem
The private quarters of a palace, closed to outsiders, where an emperor's wives and their attendants lived; also the women who lived there.
The private quarters within the imperial palace reserved for the emperor's consorts, concubines, and their female attendants. In Japanese history, particularly during the Heian period, the 後宮 was not merely a residential area but a vibrant center of artistic and literary activity — many celebrated works of classical Japanese literature were produced there.
Common collocations
- 後宮に仕える — to serve in the inner palace
- 後宮の女御 — a consort of the inner palace
- 後宮物語 — tales of the inner palace
Cultural note
The equivalent Chinese institution (hougong) influenced the Japanese system. In modern Japanese, the word appears mainly in historical writing, period dramas, and manga/anime set in imperial courts. The recent popularity of manga like 薬屋のひとりごと has brought this word to wider attention.