Archaic term for a man's first or legally recognized wife, as opposed to a concubine or later spouse. Not used in modern everyday speech; encountered mainly in historical or literary contexts.
In the old document, there is a description of a child born to his first wife.
Means 'legal wife' or 'principal wife', often contrasted with a mistress or concubine. More common than 前妻 but still somewhat formal or literary.
Standard kanji spelling for this archaic term.
Alternate kanji spelling; less common and may be unfamiliar to modern readers.
The reading こなみ is an older native Japanese reading (kun'yomi) of the kanji 前 (before) and 妻 (wife). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term has been used since classical times to denote a man's first or principal wife.