noun
lower government office (ritsuryō system)
Historical term for a subordinate government office in the ritsuryō state. Not used in modern administrative contexts.
律令制では、被官は上位の官庁の指揮下にあった。
Under the ritsuryō system, the hikan were under the command of higher government offices.
noun
retainer; servant of a higher-ranking person (medieval)
Refers to a servant or retainer serving a higher-ranking individual during Japan's medieval period. Often used in historical texts.
中世の武士は多くの被官を抱えていた。
Medieval warriors kept many retainers.
noun
servant of an urban family
Historical term for a servant working for a town-dwelling family. Usage is limited to pre-modern contexts.
江戸時代の町家では、被官が家事を手伝っていた。
In Edo-period townhouses, servants helped with household chores.
noun
Appears in the compound 被官百姓, referring to a serf or peasant bound to a lord. Rare standalone use.
See also: 被官百姓
被官百姓は領主に年貢を納めていた。
The serfs paid tribute to the feudal lord.
The term 被官 is composed of 被 (receive, be subject to) and 官 (government office, official). It originally referred to a subordinate office in the ritsuryō system and later extended to mean a retainer or servant under a higher authority. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.