noun
maid in the inner palace of a shogun or daimyo (Edo period)
Historical term for a female servant working in the private quarters of a high-ranking samurai household during the Edo period.
江戸時代、大奥には多くの奥女中が仕えていた。
During the Edo period, many maids served in the inner palace of the shogun.
A general term for a maid or female servant, not limited to the shogun or daimyo context.
Compound of 奥 (oku, 'inner part') and 女中 (jochū, 'maid'), referring to a maid serving in the private quarters of a high-ranking samurai.