head of a clan
Archaic term for the chief of an extended family group (uji) in ancient Japan, especially before the Taika Reform.
In ancient times, the uji no kami was responsible for the clan's rituals and leadership.
氏 refers to the clan itself, while 氏上 is the head of that clan.
氏長者 is a later term for the head of a clan, often used in the Heian period and beyond, while 氏上 is more archaic.
Standard kanji spelling for this archaic title.
Variant spelling with の inserted, reflecting the reading.
Rare variant; 長 suggests 'chief'.
Rare variant; 宗 suggests 'head of a family'.
Compound of 氏 (uji, 'clan') + 上 (kami, 'head, chief'), with the reading うじのかみ reflecting the possessive particle の.