並ならび大だい名みょう

noun

figurehead; person with a title but no real duty

Derived from the kabuki term; used figuratively for someone who holds a position in name only, without actual responsibility or power.

• 彼かれは会かい長ちょうという肩かた書がきがあるが、実じっ質しつ的てきには並ならび大だい名みょうだ。

  He has the title of chairman, but in reality he's just a figurehead.

noun

kabuki actor playing a daimyo in the background

Original kabuki term: an actor who plays a daimyo merely to set the scene, without any lines or significant action.

See also: 大名

• 歌か舞ぶ伎きでは、並ならび大だい名みょうは舞ぶ台たいの背はい景けいとして座すわっているだけの役やくだ。

  In kabuki, a narabi-daimyō is a role that just sits as part of the stage background.