御祖みおや

noun

ancestor (honorific/poetic); forebear (especially mother or grandmother)

Poetic and honorific term for an ancestor, often used in classical or literary contexts. Especially refers to one's mother or grandmother, but can extend to earlier forebears.

• 御み祖おやの教おしえを胸むねに刻きざむ。

  I engrave the teachings of my ancestor (especially mother/grandmother) in my heart.

• この歌うたは御み祖おやへの感かん謝しゃを詠よんだものです。

  This poem expresses gratitude toward my forebear.