sponsorship; backing; good offices
Refers to the support, patronage, or behind-the-scenes help provided by an influential person or organization. Often used in phrases like 肝いりで (under the auspices of) or 肝いりの事業 (a project backed by someone).
This event was realized under the auspices of the mayor.
His pet project, which he had been backing, finally got underway.
village official (Edo period)
Historical term for a local official who acted as an intermediary between the village and the authorities during the Edo period. Not used in modern contexts.
During the Edo period, the village official played an important role as the representative of the village.
名主 was another type of village headman during the Edo period, but with slightly different responsibilities depending on the region. 肝煎り is more specific to certain areas and roles.
Most common spelling for the modern sense of sponsorship or backing.
Abbreviated historical spelling; mainly seen in older texts.
Historical spelling associated with the Edo-period village official sense.
Alternate kanji spelling; less common than 肝いり but still seen.
From 肝を煎る, “take pains; be solicitous,” it came to mean mediation or sponsorship. 肝煎り was also used as a title for local officials and other people responsible for managing a group’s affairs.