also: こうけい · くげ
court noble; kugyō
Historical term for high-ranking court nobles in pre-modern Japan, especially the Heian period. Often used in historical or literary contexts.
three lords and nine ministers
Only with reading こうけい
Historical term referring to the highest officials in ancient Chinese government. Read こうけい in this context.
In the Heian period, the court nobles were at the center of politics.
This shrine was built with donations from court nobles.
The ancient Chinese 'three lords and nine ministers' was a system consisting of the three dukes and nine ministers.
Standard kanji spelling for the historical Japanese court nobility.
Reading used specifically for the ancient Chinese 'three lords and nine ministers' sense.
Gikun reading; historically used for the same Japanese court nobles, but くぎょう is more common.
From Chinese 公卿 (gōngqīng), referring to high officials. The reading くぎょう is the standard Japanese adaptation; こうけい is the on'yomi reading used for the Chinese historical sense; くげ is a gikun reading.