侯爵(こうしゃく)

こうしゃく
noun
marquis; marquess
historysociety
1. marquis; marquess
The second of the five ranks of peerage, below duke (公爵(こうしゃく)) and above count (伯爵(はくしゃく)); used for European nobility and for Japan's prewar peerage.
侯爵(こうしゃく)の位(くらい)を授(さず)かった。
He was given the rank of marquis.
侯爵(こうしゃく)夫人(ふじん)が舞踏会(ぶとうかい)を開(ひら)いた。
The marchioness held a ball.
明治(めいじ)の華族(かぞく)制度(せいど)で、旧(きゅう)大名(だいみょう)の一部(いちぶ)は侯爵(こうしゃく)になった。
Under the Meiji peerage system, some former daimyo became marquises.

Met mainly in history and in translated European novels. Pronounced exactly like 公爵(こうしゃく) "duke"; context usually shows which is meant.

Related words

Cultural note

Japan's peerage (華族(かぞく)) existed from 1884 to 1947.

Related Words

Homophone: 公爵(こうしゃく) (duke)
Related: 伯爵(はくしゃく) (count, earl)
Related: 男爵(だんしゃく) (baron)
general
Added 2026.10.14 21:21 · Revised 2026.10.14 21:25
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