military commander; warlord
Historical term for a commander or general in feudal Japan, especially during the Sengoku period. Often evokes a strong, respected warrior leader.
Oda Nobunaga was a famous warlord of the Sengoku period.
This castle was once ruled by a military commander.
In his youth, he served under a famous commander.
The commander who ruled this region was loved by the people.
He made a name for himself as a commander through many battles.
武士 refers to a samurai or the warrior class in general, whereas 武将 specifically means a high-ranking military commander.
大将 emphasizes rank as the top leader of an army, while 武将 is a broader term for a warrior commander of any rank.
武将 specifically means a feudal-era military commander or warlord, while 将 is the more general, abstract word for a leader or commander.
大名 denotes a feudal lord who ruled a territory, while 武将 focuses on the person's role as a military commander in battle.
Compound of 武 (bu, 'military') and 将 (shō, 'commander'). The reading is on'yomi, reflecting its Sino-Japanese origin.