守かみ

か

み

Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

director of provincial governors; kami (ritsuryō official)

historical term

Historical term for the chief official overseeing provincial governors under the ritsuryō system. Often translated as 'director' or 'governor' in English contexts.

Usage patterns

〈場ば所しょ〉の守かみdirector/governor of a given province (used as part of a title)
彼かれは越えち後ご守のかみとして赴ふ任にんした。
He was appointed as the director of Echigo Province.

Kanji

守guard, protect, defend

Related words

国こく司し
国司 refers broadly to the provincial governor or the office itself, while 守 denotes specifically the head official overseeing those governors under the ritsuryō system.
長官かみ
長官 is a general term for a chief or director usable in many administrative contexts, while 守 is the specific historical ritsuryō title for a provincial director.

Don't confuse with

守まもるN3
守 (かみ) is a historical noun for a ritsuryō official, while 守る (まもる) is the common verb meaning 'to protect'; learners may mistake the reading because they share the same kanji.

Word family

出羽守でわのかみ
director of Dewa province · person who constantly compares Japan to other countries when complaining
肥後守ひごのかみ
higonokami; traditional Japanese folding knife
薩さつ摩まの守かみ
fare dodging; riding without paying

Etymology

The reading かみ is native Japanese, while the kanji 守 carries the meaning of 'protect' or 'guard', which is conventionally associated with the official's role. The exact historical derivation of the title is uncertain.