Translation guide
The English word 'demesne' refers to a landed estate or territory, especially in historical or legal contexts. In Japanese, the concept is expressed through various terms for land holdings, domains, and manors, depending on the historical period and type of ownership.
Referring to a lord's estate or manor in medieval Europe or similar contexts.
The standard term for a feudal manor or estate, especially in medieval Europe or Japan. It encompasses the lord's land and the surrounding area worked by peasants.
A medieval European manor consisted of the lord's demesne and the peasants' holdings.
A general term for a feudal lord's territory or domain. It can be used for any historical land holding, not necessarily a self-contained manor.
The nobleman owned a vast demesne.
Similar to 領地, but often used in historical contexts referring to a specific holding or fief. Slightly more formal or literary.
He was granted a demesne by the king.
Specifically refers to land held in fief during Japan's feudal period, particularly under the shogunate. It emphasizes the vassal's right to income from the land.
During the Edo period, samurai received income from their demesne.
Referring to a sphere of influence, control, or activity, often used metaphorically.
The most common term for a domain or area of control, whether physical or abstract. It can be used for academic fields, personal space, or territorial claims.
That is outside his demesne of expertise.
Literally 'rope-stretching', this term originally referred to a demarcated territory, often used for gang turf or animal territory. It can be used figuratively for someone's sphere of influence, but has a slightly rough or informal nuance.
A formal term for a sphere of influence or domain of power, often used in political or military contexts.
Referring to the legal ownership or possession of land, especially in historical English law.
The standard legal term for land ownership rights. It directly corresponds to the concept of demesne as legal possession.
The demesne of the land belongs to him.
A term for a plot of land or estate, often used in legal or real estate contexts. It can refer to the physical property itself.
The English word 'demesne' is rare and archaic. In most contexts, using a more common Japanese term like 土地 (tochi) for 'land' or 所有地 (shoyūchi) for 'owned land' is more natural. Reserve the historical terms for discussions of feudal systems.
荘園 (shōen) specifically refers to a self-contained manor with its own economy and peasant population, while 領地 (ryōchi) is a broader term for any feudal territory. Use 荘園 when emphasizing the manorial system, and 領地 for general feudal domains.
He hates having his demesne encroached upon.
The country sought to bring the surrounding areas into its demesne.
He inherited a large demesne.