庶しょ流りゅう

noun

illegitimate family lineage; branch family of illegitimate descent

Historical term referring to a family line descended from a concubine or illegitimate child, as opposed to the main legitimate line (嫡流). Used in contexts of samurai clans and noble houses.

• 彼かれは庶しょ流りゅうの出でだが、実じつ力りょくで家いえを継ついだ。

  He was from an illegitimate branch of the family, but he succeeded the house through his own ability.

• 戦せん国ごく時じ代だいには、庶しょ流りゅうが嫡ちゃく流りゅうをしのぐこともあった。

  During the Warring States period, illegitimate branches sometimes surpassed the main line.