also: にょけい
noun
female line; matrilineal
Refers to lineage traced through the female side, often used in discussions of inheritance, succession, or family trees.
その家系は女系で受け継がれてきた。
The family line has been passed down through the female line.
女系天皇の可能性について議論が続いている。
Debate continues about the possibility of a matrilineal emperor.
Compound of 女 (woman, female) and 系 (lineage, system). The reading じょけい is the standard on'yomi combination; にょけい is a less common variant.