武ぶ家け奉ぼう公こう

noun

service with a samurai family; working in a samurai household

Historical term for serving a samurai family, often as a valet, chambermaid, or other domestic role. Used in contexts of Edo-period or earlier samurai society.

• 江え戸ど時じ代だい、多おおくの若わか者ものが武ぶ家け奉公ぼうこうに出でた。

  In the Edo period, many young people went into service with samurai families.

• 彼かの女じょは武ぶ家け奉公ぼうこうとして、奥おく向むきの仕し事ごとをしていた。

  She worked in the inner quarters as a servant in a samurai household.