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出羽守 (でわのかみ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

出羽守でわのかみ

also: ではのかみ

で

わ

の

か

み

Meanings

1

noun

director of Dewa province

historical term

Historical title for the governor of Dewa Province in pre-modern Japan. Used only in historical contexts.

See also: 守

江え戸ど時じ代だい、出羽守でわのかみは重じゅう要ような役やく職しょくの一ひとつだった。
In the Edo period, the director of Dewa province was one of the important posts.

2

noun

Kanji

出exit, leave, go out
羽feathers, counter for birds, rabbits
守guard, protect, defend

Similar words

守かみ
General term for a provincial governor in historical Japan. 出羽守 specifically refers to the governor of Dewa Province.

Etymology

The historical sense derives from the title of the governor of Dewa Province. The slang sense is a modern pun: 出羽守 (でわのかみ) sounds like ではの神 (ではのかみ), playing on the phrase pattern '〜では…' used when comparing Japan to other countries.

person who constantly compares Japan to other countries when complaining

slangjocular, humorous

Jocular slang derived from a pun on では (as in 海外では…, アメリカでは…). Used to mock someone who habitually begins complaints with 'In [other country]...'.

彼かれはいつも「アメリカでは…」と言いう、典てん型けい的てきな出羽守でわのかみだ。
He's a classic 出羽守, always saying 'In America...'.
ネットで出羽守でわのかみを見みかけると、つい笑わらってしまう。
When I see a 出羽守 online, I can't help but laugh.