上じょう段だん

noun

upper tier; upper section; upper row

General term for an upper level, tier, shelf, berth, or row in a physical or hierarchical arrangement.

• 本ほん棚だなの上じょう段だんに辞じ書しょを置おいた。

  I put the dictionary on the top shelf of the bookshelf.

• 寝しん台だい列れっ車しゃの上じょう段だんの寝しん台だいを予よ約やくした。

  I reserved an upper berth on the sleeper train.

noun

place of honor; seat of honor

Refers to the most honored seat or position in a traditional Japanese room, often the seat farthest from the entrance or on a raised floor. Compare 上座 (かみざ).

See also: 上座

• お客きゃく様さまを上じょう段だんに案あん内ないした。

  I guided the guest to the place of honor.

noun

dais; raised floor section

Specifically a raised part of the floor in a traditional Japanese room, often used as a place of honor. See also 上段の間.

See also: 上段の間

• その和わ室しつには上じょう段だんが設もうけられていた。

  That Japanese-style room had a raised floor section.

noun

overhead position (sword in kendo)

In kendo and similar martial arts, the stance where the sword is held above the head. A specialized term.

• 剣けん道どうで上じょう段だんの構かまえをとる。

  Take an overhead stance in kendo.