侯こう爵しゃく

こ

う

しゃ

く

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

noun

marquis; marquess

A hereditary noble rank, historically the second-highest of the five peerage ranks (五等爵) in Japan, below duke (公爵) and above count (伯爵).

公こう爵しゃく
公爵 is a duke, the highest rank among the five peerage ranks, while 侯爵 is a marquis, the second-highest.
伯はく爵しゃく
伯爵 is a count (earl), one rank below 侯爵.

From Chinese 侯爵 (hóujué), a compound of 侯 (marquis) and 爵 (peerage rank). Adopted into Japanese as part of the modern peerage system.