noun
groom; stableman; equerry
Historical role: a servant who tends horses and attends to a noble or samurai. Not a modern occupation.
江戸時代、大名行列には別当が馬を引いて従った。
In the Edo period, a groom led the horse and accompanied the daimyo's procession.
noun
steward; intendant
Historical role: an official who managed the household or estate of a noble or temple. Overlaps with sense 3 but emphasizes administrative duties.
その寺の別当は、寺領の管理も任されていた。
The steward of that temple was also entrusted with managing the temple's estate.
noun
head of a religious institution; chief priest
Archaic. Specifically refers to the head of a Buddhist temple or shrine, sometimes concurrently holding another post. Marked as archaic.
鎌倉時代には、別当が複数の寺を兼務することもあった。
In the Kamakura period, a chief priest sometimes concurrently served at multiple temples.