Translation guide
A daimyo who ruled over a domain consisting of one or more provinces during the Edo period. This term distinguishes higher-ranked daimyo from those with smaller territories.
The learner wants to refer to a daimyo who controlled a territory of at least one entire province, as opposed to a smaller domain.
General term for daimyo. In context, it can imply a lord of a province-sized domain, but it is not specific. Often used with modifiers to clarify scale.
彼は一国を治める大名だった。
He was a daimyo who ruled a whole province.
Literally 'province lord'. A daimyo who held an entire province. This term directly matches the concept.
その国主は複数の城を持っていた。
That province lord had multiple castles.
A daimyo who 'holds a province'. Emphasizes possession of a province-sized fief.
国持ち大名は幕府の重職に就くことが多かった。
Province-holding daimyo often held important positions in the shogunate.
Refers to a high-ranking or wealthy daimyo, often with a large domain. More about status than specific territory size.
大名 is the broadest term for any daimyo. 国主 specifically means a daimyo who ruled an entire province. 国持ち大名 is a more descriptive phrase emphasizing the holding of a province. In historical contexts, 国主 was an official classification during the Edo period for daimyo with provinces.
During the Edo period, daimyo were classified by the size and type of their domains. Terms like 国主 and 国持ち大名 were part of this system. When discussing history, using these specific terms adds accuracy.
The processions of high-ranking daimyo for alternate attendance were splendid.