正せい室しつ

noun

legal wife; principal wife

Historical term for the official wife of a noble or samurai, as opposed to a concubine (側室). In modern contexts, it may be used metaphorically or in historical discussions.

See also: 側室 · 本妻

• 江え戸ど時じ代だい、大だい名みょうの正せい室しつはしばしば人ひと質じちとして江え戸どに住すまわされた。

  In the Edo period, the legal wives of daimyo were often made to live in Edo as hostages.

noun

formal reception room; guest parlor

In traditional Japanese architecture, the main room for receiving guests, often the most formal space in a residence. Compare 表座敷 (おもてざしき).

See also: 表座敷 (おもてざしき)

• この武ぶ家け屋や敷しきでは、正せい室しつで来らい客きゃくをもてなした。

  In this samurai residence, guests were entertained in the formal reception room.

noun

heir; successor

Rare historical usage; may appear in old texts or genealogical records. Not used in modern Japanese for this meaning.

• 古こ文ぶん書しょでは、「正せい室しつ」が嫡ちゃく男なんを指さす例れいがまれに見みられる。

  In old documents, there are rare instances where 正室 refers to the heir.