従じゅ

noun, noun, used as a prefix

lesser (of equal court ranks); lower; junior

Archaic term used in the context of the Japanese court rank system to indicate a lower or junior position among equal ranks. Compare with 正 (しょう), which indicates the senior or higher position. Modern use is limited to historical or specialized contexts.

See also: 正 (しょう)

• 従じゅ三さん位みは正三位しょうさんみより下しもの位くらいである。

  The Junior Third Rank is a lower rank than the Senior Third Rank.

• 歴れき史し書しょでは「従じゅ」が官かん位いの前まえに付つくことが多おおい。

  In historical documents, '従' is often prefixed to court ranks.