Boss - Kaoyaku

Japanese: 顔役 - かおやく

〘 noun 〙 (meaning a role that makes a name for itself. Originally a word used by Kabuki backstage associates, it is said to have originated from referring to a leader) 1. Someone with influence or prestige in a place or group. An influential person. Also used to refer to the boss of gangsters and gamblers. Boss. *Naniwa Kikisho (around 1819) "A leader. A street performer in Edo." *Kabuki, Gokutsuke Hatazui Chobei (1881), final scene "Ushirotate was the number one leader in Edo at the time." 2. A title for a geisha in Gion, Kyoto, who is older than a chuunen-matsu. Toshiyori geiko. * Sakehon , Hakomakura (1822), part 2 "The ranks are divided into wakate, chiudoshi , and kaho yaku ."

Source: The Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary About the Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary Information

Japanese:

〘名〙 (顔をきかせる役の意。もと歌舞伎楽屋仲間の語で、頭だつ人をいったのにはじまるという)① その土地、または仲間に勢力、名望あるもの。有力者。侠客、博徒などの親分株にもいう。親分。ボス。※浪花聞書（1819頃）「顔役。江戸の通り者也」※歌舞伎・極附幡随長兵衛（1881）大詰「後立が当時江戸で一の顔役」② 京都祇園の芸妓で、中年増よりも年をとった者の称。年寄芸子。※洒落本・箱まくら（1822）下「若手(わかて)・中年(ちうどし)・㒵(カホ)やくと段をわけ」

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