noun
Taikō; retired imperial regent
Historically, a title for a retired kampaku (imperial regent), especially associated with Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In modern contexts, it may refer to Hideyoshi himself or be used honorifically for a person who has passed on a high office to a successor.
See also: 関白 (かんぱく)
太閤秀吉は大阪城を築いた。
Taikō Hideyoshi built Osaka Castle.
彼は会社
He handed the company over to his son and became like a taikō figure.
関白 is the active imperial regent; 太閤 is the retired regent or the title after passing the role to a successor.
From 太 (great) + 閤 (gate, palace), originally referring to the retired kampaku. The reading たいこう is the on'yomi of the kanji.