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陛衛 (へいえい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

陛へい衛えい

Meanings

1

Imperial guard

archaic

Archaic term for a guard who protected the emperor or the imperial palace. Not used in modern Japanese outside historical contexts.

古ふるい記き録ろくには、陛へい衛えいが宮きゅう中ちゅうの警けい護ごにあたったとある。
Old records say that the Imperial guard was responsible for protecting the imperial palace.

Kanji

陛highness, steps (of throne)
衛defense, protection

Related words

近この衛え
近衛 is a broader term for imperial guards or the Konoe family, while 陛衛 specifically refers to the guards protecting the emperor's person or the palace steps.

Etymology

Compound of 陛 (steps to the imperial throne) and 衛 (guard, protect). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word is clearly associated with imperial protection.