側そば役やく

noun

personal attendant

Historical term for a close attendant or aide, especially in samurai or noble households. Not used for modern personal assistants.

• 江え戸ど時じ代だい、大だい名みょうには側そば役やくと呼よばれる側そっ近きんが仕つかえていた。

  In the Edo period, daimyo were served by close aides called sobayaku.