disloyal retainer; treacherous subject
Historical term for a vassal or minister who betrays their lord or country; often used in contexts of feudal loyalty.
The disloyal retainer betrayed his lord.
歴史書には奸臣の名が記されている。
The names of treacherous subjects are recorded in the history books.
Standard kanji spelling for 'disloyal retainer'.
Variant kanji form; 姦 can carry a nuance of wickedness or cunning.
Compound of 奸 (kan, 'wicked, treacherous') and 臣 (shin, 'retainer, subject'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain.