three Tokugawa branch families; Gosanke
Historical term for the three senior branch houses of the Tokugawa shogunate: Owari, Kii, and Mito. Used in discussions of Edo-period politics and succession.
See also: 三家
The Gosanke refers to the Tokugawa families of Owari, Kii, and Mito.
big three; top three
By extension, refers to the three most prominent or dominant entities in any field, such as companies, schools, or products. Often used in media and casual conversation.
When it comes to the big three in this industry, it's Company A, Company B, and Company C.
They are known as the top three idol groups.
Standard kanji spelling; the honorific prefix 御 is read ご.
Mixed kana-kanji spelling; less common but seen in informal writing.
From 御 (honorific prefix) + 三 (three) + 家 (family/house). Originally referred to the three senior Tokugawa branch families; the extended sense 'big three' developed by analogy.