家督

• Reading: かとく
• Romaji: katoku
• Kanji breakdown: 家 (ka/ie) — house, family; 督 (toku) — supervise, oversee, headship
• Pronunciation: /ka.to.kɯ/

Meaning

Family headship; the right and responsibility of succession to a family's estate, name, and assets, formerly held by the eldest son under Japanese law.

Composed of 家 (house/family) and 督 (supervision/headship). Under the pre-war Meiji Civil Code's 家制度 (ie system), the 家督 was the formal legal status of the household head, who inherited all family property and held authority over family members. This system was abolished after World War II. Today the term is used mainly in historical, literary, or traditional business contexts, and informally to mean 'succession to the family business.'

Examples

1. 明治時代の民法では、長男が家督を相続し、家の財産と権威を引き継ぐ慣行があった。 Under the Meiji-era civil code, there was a custom whereby the eldest son inherited the family headship and took over the family's property and authority.
2. 父の急逝により、まだ若かった彼が家督を継ぐことになり、一家を支える立場に立った。 Following his father's sudden death, he — still young at the time — came to succeed to the family headship and found himself in the position of supporting the household.
3. 老舗旅館の家督争いが、親族間の深刻な対立を生む原因となった。 A dispute over succession to the headship of a long-established inn became the cause of a serious conflict among family members.

Usage Guide

Context: family, society, tradition, law, history, business

Tone: formal

Origin & History

家 (ka/ie, house/family) + 督 (toku, supervision/headship/overseeing). The character 督 suggests overseeing and directing, reflecting the household head's traditional role. Formally used in the Meiji Civil Code as a legal term.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji–Showa

Generation: Older adults

Social background: Traditional families