側そく室しつ

noun

concubine (of a noble)

Historical term for a secondary wife or concubine of a noble, especially in pre-modern Japan. Contrasts with 正室 (せいしつ), the legal wife.

See also: 正室

• 江え戸ど時じ代だい、大だい名みょうには正せい室しつのほかに側そく室しつがいることが多おおかった。

  In the Edo period, daimyo often had concubines in addition to their legal wife.