請
しょ
う
Meanings
1
archaic
Archaic noun for a request or invitation; not used in modern everyday speech.
In old documents, one can find examples where 請 is read as しょう and used to mean a request.
2
legal privilege for high-ranking nobles (ritsuryō system)
archaic
Historical legal term from the ritsuryō system; a privilege granted to nobles of the fifth rank or above in criminal proceedings.
Under the ritsuryō system, nobles of the fifth rank and above were granted the privilege of 請.