also: ずろう
provincial governor (mid-Heian period onward)
Historical term for a provincial governor appointed from the mid-Heian period, often with tax-collection and administrative duties.
Zuryō refers to provincial officials from the middle of the Heian period onward.
Standard kanji spelling for this historical term.
Alternate historical reading; ずりょう is more common.
The term is composed of 受 (receive) and 領 (territory), reflecting the governor's role in receiving and administering a province. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.