公く卿ぎょう

noun

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.

• 平へい安あん時じ代だい、公く卿ぎょうは政せい治じの中ちゅう心しんにいた。

  In the Heian period, the court nobles were at the center of politics.

• この神じん社じゃは公く卿ぎょうの寄き進しんで建たてられた。

  This shrine was built with donations from court nobles.

noun

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.

• 古こ代だい中ちゅう国ごくの公こう卿けいは、三さん公こうと九きゅう卿けいから成なる制せい度どだった。

  The ancient Chinese 'three lords and nine ministers' was a system consisting of the three dukes and nine ministers.