Rare historical term for a personal servant or attendant, especially one who serves close to a master. Often associated with samurai or aristocratic households.
In period dramas, a servant samurai takes care of the lord's personal needs.
Standard kanji spelling for this rare historical term.
Mixed kana-kanji spelling; it is a valid written form.
Compound of honorific prefix お + 側 (そば, 'side, vicinity') + 付き (つき, from 付く, 'attached'). Literally 'one attached to the side', referring to a close personal attendant.