noun
imperial loyalist; loyalist to the emperor
Historical term for someone loyal to the Japanese emperor, especially during the Bakumatsu and early Meiji periods. Often used in political or historical contexts.
彼は勤王家として知られ、幕末の動乱期に天皇を支持した。
He was known as an imperial loyalist and supported the emperor during the turbulent Bakumatsu period.
勤王家たちは新しい政府の樹立に尽力した。
The imperial loyalists worked hard to establish the new government.
尊王家 also means 'imperial loyalist' and is closely related to the 尊王攘夷 (sonnō jōi) movement. 勤王家 emphasizes active service (勤) to the emperor, while 尊王家 emphasizes reverence (尊).
Compound of 勤 (kin, 'service') + 王 (ō, 'king') + 家 (ka, 'person'). Refers to a person who serves the emperor. The variant 勤皇家 uses 皇 (kō, 'emperor') instead of 王.