堂どう上じょう

noun

on the roof; court nobles

Rare literary term. Sense 1 is literal 'on the roof'; sense 2 refers to court nobles (historically, those permitted to ascend to the palace floor). Modern usage is very limited.

• 古こ典てんでは「堂どう上じょうに昇のぼる」という表ひょう現げんが見みられる。

  In classical texts, the expression 'ascend to the roof' can be found.

• 堂どう上じょうとは、宮きゅう中ちゅうに昇しょう殿でんを許ゆるされた公く家げを指さす。

  堂上 refers to court nobles who were permitted to enter the palace.