Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

牢役人 (ろうやくにん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

牢ろう役やく人にん

ろ

う

や

く

に

ん

Meanings

1

noun

Edo-period jail warden; jailer

Historical term for a jail warden or jailer during the Edo period (1603–1868). Not used in modern contexts.

牢ろう役やく人にんは罪ざい人にんを牢ろう屋やに閉とじ込こめる役やく目めを負おっていた。
The jail warden was responsible for locking up criminals in the jail.

時じ代だい劇げきでは、牢ろう役やく人にんがしばしば悪あく役やくとして描えがかれる。

In period dramas, the jail warden is often portrayed as a villain.

Kanji

牢prison, jail, hardness
役duty, war, campaign
人person

Similar words

牢ろう屋や
牢屋 means 'jail' or 'prison' itself, while 牢役人 refers specifically to the person in charge of the jail.
看かん守しゅ
看守 is the modern term for a prison guard or warden, used in contemporary contexts.

Etymology

Compound of 牢 (ろう, 'jail') + 役人 (やくにん, 'official'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it straightforwardly refers to an official in charge of a jail during the Edo period.