marquis, lord, daimyo
侯 centers on a high-ranking feudal title: a marquis or lord, and by extension a daimyo in Japanese context. It denotes noble status and authority.
侯 originally depicted an arrow (矢) and a target or mark, associated with archery contests and later with feudal rank. The person radical 亻 was added to emphasize the human role of a lord or marquis.
A person 亻 standing beside an arrow 矢, like a noble lord overseeing an archery contest to determine rank. 侯 is the marquis who presides.
For コウ, imagine a lordly coat of arms: coat -> コウ, and the marquis wears it proudly.
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marquis; second highest rank of the five ranks of nobility
feudal lords; barons; princes
marquis; marquess
the king and his feudal lords
all daimyo
Lord of Sendai
wooden target holder (in archery)
nobles; feudal lords
marquisate; marquessate; principality
marchioness
princes and marquises; great feudal lords
duke, marquis, count, viscount and baron (five ranks of nobility in Japan; 1869-1947)
many daimyo
local ruler
native state (of pre-independence India); princely state
high status does not depend on birth; every man can achieve great power if he exerts himself
royalty and titled nobility
feudal lord; daimyo