三さん家け

noun

three noble families (Kan'in, Kazan'in, Nakanoin or Koga)

Historical term referring to specific court noble lineages in the Heian period. The exact families may vary by context.

• 平へい安あん時じ代だいの三さん家けには、閑かん院いん流りゅうや花か山ざん院いん流りゅうなどが含ふくまれる。

  The three noble families of the Heian period included the Kan'in and Kazan'in lineages.

noun

three branches of the Tokugawa family (Owari, Kii, Mito)

Historical term for the three collateral Tokugawa houses that could provide a shogunal heir. Compare with 御三家, which often refers to the same three families but can also be used figuratively.

See also: 御三家

• 徳とく川がわ御ご三さん家けは、尾お張わり、紀き伊い、水み戸との三さん家けを指さす。

  The Tokugawa Gosanke refers to the three houses of Owari, Kii, and Mito.