公く奴ぬ婢ひ

noun

government-owned slave

Archaic term from the Ritsuryō system, referring to a slave owned by the state. Contrast with 官奴婢 (かんぬひ), which were slaves owned by specific government offices.

See also: 官奴婢

• 律りつ令りょう制せいでは、公く奴ぬ婢ひは朝ちょう廷ていに直ちょく属ぞくする奴ど隷れいであった。

  Under the Ritsuryō system, 公奴婢 were slaves directly under the imperial court.