後こう宮きゅう

noun

inner palace; harem; seraglio

Refers to the section of a palace where the emperor's consorts and female attendants lived, especially in historical East Asian courts. Often used in descriptions of the Heian period or similar settings.

See also: 七殿 · 五舎

• 平へい安あん時じ代だいの後こう宮きゅうには多おおくの女にょ官かんが仕つかえていた。

  Many court ladies served in the inner palace during the Heian period.

• 後こう宮きゅうは男だん子し禁きん制せいの空くう間かんだった。

  The inner palace was a space forbidden to men.

noun

imperial consort

By extension, can refer to the consort herself, though this usage is less common and typically found in historical or literary texts.

• 彼かの女じょは後こう宮きゅうとして帝みかどの寵ちょう愛あいを受うけた。

  She received the emperor's favor as an imperial consort.