献けん芹きん

noun

small present; trifling gift

Archaic humble expression used when offering a modest gift to a superior. The speaker humbly compares their gift to worthless celery (芹).

• これはほんの献けん芹きんの品しなですが、どうぞお納おさめください。

  This is but a trifling gift; please accept it.

noun

pledging loyalty to one's lord

Archaic humble expression for offering one's loyalty or service to a lord, often in a self-deprecating manner.

• 古ふるい文ぶん書しょには、家か臣しんが主しゅ君くんに献けん芹きんの意いを表ひょうしたと記しるされている。

  An old document records that a retainer expressed his humble loyalty to his lord.