also: ずいしん
noun
Historical term for a personal guard or escort of a noble or high-ranking official in pre-modern Japan.
平安時代、貴族の外出には随身が付き添った。
In the Heian period, a bodyguard accompanied nobles when they went out.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'
Historical term for a close attendant or aide to a person of high status; can also be used as a suru-verb meaning 'to attend' or 'to serve as an aide'.
将軍の随身として、彼は多くの政務を補佐した。
As an aide to the shogun, he assisted with many governmental affairs.
noun
shrine guardian statues
Refers specifically to the paired statues of guards (often called 随身像) that stand on either side of a shrine gate.
神社の門の両脇には随身が安置されている。
Guardian statues are enshrined on both sides of the shrine gate.