noun
station staff (ritsuryō period)
Historical term for a worker at a horse-changing station (駅家) under the ritsuryō system. Archaic; used only in historical contexts.
律令時代には、駅子が駅家で馬の世話をしていた。
During the ritsuryō period, station staff took care of horses at the post stations.
From 駅 (station) + 子 (person). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the term is specific to the ritsuryō administrative system.