御ご三さん家け

noun

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

• 御ご三さん家けは、尾お張わり・紀き伊い・水み戸との徳とく川がわ家けを指さす。

  The Gosanke refers to the Tokugawa families of Owari, Kii, and Mito.

noun

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.

• この業ぎょう界かいの御ご三さん家けと言いえば、A社しゃ、B社しゃ、C社しゃだ。

  When it comes to the big three in this industry, it's Company A, Company B, and Company C.

• アイドルグループの御ご三さん家けとして知しられている。

  They are known as the top three idol groups.