also: せいかく
General term for the most important guest at a gathering, event, or formal occasion.
The guest of honor at today's party is the company president.
main guest at a tea ceremony
Specifically the principal guest at a Japanese tea ceremony (茶道).
At a tea gathering, the main guest receives tea first.
Standard kanji spelling; the reading しょうきゃく is the most common.
Alternate reading; less common and may be considered non-standard in modern usage.
Compound of 正 (proper, main) and 客 (guest). The reading しょうきゃく uses the on'yomi of both characters, while せいかく is an alternative on'yomi reading.