noun
second guest of honor (tea ceremony)
In a tea ceremony, the second most important guest after the 正客 (shōkyaku, main guest).
See also: 正客
茶会では、正客の次に次客がお茶をいただきます。
At a tea gathering, the second guest of honor receives tea after the main guest.
正客 is the main guest of honor, while 次客 is the second most important guest.
Compound of 次 (ji, 'next') and 客 (kyaku, 'guest'), referring to the second guest in a formal tea ceremony seating order.