Translation guide
A doctor who serves a royal or imperial court. In Japanese contexts, this typically refers to historical or fictional roles within the imperial household or shogunate.
A physician serving the Japanese imperial court, historically or in fiction.
The standard term for a court physician in the Japanese imperial court, especially during the Edo period and earlier. Used in historical contexts.
彼は江戸時代の典医だった。
He was a court physician in the Edo period.
An honorific form of 典医, emphasizing the direct service to the emperor or shogun. Slightly more formal.
御典医として宮中に仕えた。
He served at the imperial court as a court physician.
Literally 'attending physician', used for doctors who personally attend the emperor or high-ranking nobles. Can also refer to modern imperial household physicians.
侍医が天皇の健康を管理している。
The court physician manages the Emperor's health.
A physician serving a shogun or feudal lord, not necessarily the emperor.
Also used for physicians serving the shogun or daimyo. Context distinguishes from imperial service.
将軍家の典医を務めた。
He served as the shogun's court physician.
Specifically a physician employed by a feudal domain (han). More localized than 典医.
彼は薩摩藩の藩医だった。
He was a court physician for the Satsuma domain.
A physician currently serving the Japanese imperial family.
Refers to doctors at the Imperial Household Agency Hospital, who provide medical care to the imperial family. Not a traditional 'court physician' title but the modern equivalent.
宮内庁病院の医師が定期的に健康診断を行う。
Doctors from the Imperial Household Agency Hospital conduct regular health check-ups.
Still used in modern contexts for physicians personally attending the emperor, though the role is now more institutionalized.
侍医が陛下の診察にあたった。
The court physician examined His Majesty.
A physician serving a non-Japanese royal court, in translation or historical description.
A general term for a court physician in any monarchy, often used in translations of European history or fantasy settings.
彼はフランス国王の宮廷医師だった。
He was the court physician to the King of France.
Can be used for foreign contexts when emphasizing personal attendance to a monarch, though 宮廷医師 is more common.
英国王の侍医を務めた。
He served as the King of England's personal physician.
典医 (ten'i) is the most specific historical term for Japanese court physicians. 侍医 (jii) emphasizes personal attendance and can be used for both Japanese and foreign contexts. 宮廷医師 (kyūtei ishi) is a broader term suitable for any monarchy, especially in translated works.
Directly translating 'court physician' as 裁判所の医者 (saibansho no isha) would mean 'court (of law) doctor' and is incorrect. Always use the appropriate historical or institutional term.