clan; family clique; marriage-based faction
Refers to a powerful family group or political clique bound together by marriage ties. Often used in historical or political contexts, such as 閨閥政治 (marriage-alliance politics).
He belongs to the marriage-based clique of an influential politician.
In prewar Japan, marriage-based family cliques held great power in political circles.
government by the ruler's in-laws; cronyism through marriage ties
Compound of 閨 (けい, 'bedroom; private quarters', implying marriage) and 閥 (ばつ, 'clan; faction'). The term likely emerged in the context of political and social alliances formed through marriage, especially in pre-modern and early modern Japan.