noun
Formal noun referring to the favour, patronage, or gracious support received from a superior, benefactor, or powerful person. Often used in expressions like 恩顧を受ける or 恩顧に報いる.
彼は社長の恩顧を受けて出世した。
He rose in the company thanks to the president's patronage.
恩顧に報いるために全力を尽くします。
I will do my utmost to repay the favour.
Compound of 恩 (grace, favour) and 顧 (look back, care for). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination conveys the idea of looking back with favour or bestowing gracious attention.