also: ろうとう
vassals; retainers; followers
Historical term for the warriors or servants who followed and served a samurai lord. Often used in contexts describing feudal Japan.
During the Warring States period, feudal lords had many retainers.
He was a loyal vassal who risked his life for his lord.
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.
followers; retainers; adherents
Standard kanji form. 党 is the more common character for this word.
Alternate reading ろうとう; rarely used in modern Japanese.
Variant kanji form using 等; less common than 郎党.
Alternate reading ろうとう with variant kanji; very rare.
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.