noun
inferior imitator; copycat; poor imitation
Used for a person or work that merely copies an original without matching its quality. Often carries a negative or dismissive tone.
彼の作品は巨匠の亜流に過ぎない。
His work is nothing more than a poor imitation of the master's.
あのバンドは有名なグループの亜流だと言われている。
That band is said to be a copycat of a famous group.
noun
follower; adherent; person of the same school
Refers to someone who belongs to the same school of thought, artistic tradition, or academic lineage, without the negative connotation of sense 1. Less common than the imitator sense.
彼は陽明学の亜流として知られている。
He is known as a follower of the Yangming school of thought.
その画家は印象派の亜流に位置づけられる。
That painter is positioned as an adherent of the Impressionist school.