also: ろうとう
noun
vassals; retainers; followers
Historical term for the warriors or servants who followed and served a samurai lord. Often used in contexts describing feudal Japan.
戦国時代、大名は多くの郎党を抱えていた。
During the Warring States period, feudal lords had many retainers.
彼は主君のために命をかけた忠実な郎党だった。
He was a loyal vassal who risked his life for his lord.
Variant kanji form using 等; less common than 郎党.
Alternate reading ろうとう with variant kanji; very rare.
家来 is a more general term for a retainer or servant of a samurai, while 郎党 specifically emphasizes the group of followers or vassals as a collective, often with a nuance of close, personal allegiance.
家臣 is a broader term for a vassal or retainer in a feudal household, not necessarily implying the same close, personal following as 郎党.
The term 郎党 (ろうどう) originates from the Heian period, combining 郎 (a young man or servant) and 党 (group or faction). It referred to the personal followers or vassals of a noble or warrior. The alternate reading ろうとう is less common and may reflect older or dialectal pronunciation.