also: べっか
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
branch family; cadet family
Refers to a family line that has split off from the main family, often in traditional Japanese household systems. Also used for the act of establishing such a branch.
彼は本家から別家して、新しい事業を始めた。
He branched off from the main family and started a new business.
In this area, there are many branch families that have continued since the Edo period.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
setting up a new shop under the same name after leaving one's employer
Specifically refers to a former employee leaving to establish an independent business while retaining the original shop name, often with the master's permission. Related to the practice of 暖簾分け (noren-wake).
See also: 暖簾分け
暖簾分けとして、彼は暖簾を守りながら別家した。
As a noren-wake, he set up a branch shop while preserving the goodwill of the original.
長年勤めた後、主人の許しを得て別家を許された。
After many years of service, he was permitted to establish his own shop under the same name.
noun
separate house
Archaic meaning; refers to a physically separate dwelling, not necessarily a branch family. Rarely used in modern Japanese.
古文書には、別家を構えることが記されている。
Old documents record the building of a separate house.