臣(やつこ)slave, retainer, servant, captive, varlet, I, me

臣(やつこ)とは、古代(こだい)の最下(さいか)級(きゅう)の隷属(れいぞく)民(みん)である。

A "retainer" refers to the lowest rank of subjugated people in ancient times. {slave, retainer, servant, captive, varlet, I, me}

将軍(しょうぐん)が臣(やつこ)たちに大事(だいじ)な命令(めいれい)をしたそうです。

It seems that the general gave an important order to his retainers. {slave, retainer, servant, captive, varlet, I, me}

心身(しんしん)の自由(じゆう)を奪(うば)われることの例(たと)えとして「臣(やつこ)」を使(つか)います。

We use the term "retainer" as an analogy for being deprived of physical and mental freedom. {slave, retainer, servant, captive, varlet, I, me}

臣(やつこ)という奴隷(どれい)は財物(ざいぶつ)として売買(ばいばい)や譲渡(じょうと)の対象(たいしょう)になっていたのだとか。

It is said that servants referred to as "retainer" were treated as property and were subject to sale and transfer. {slave, retainer, servant, captive, varlet, I, me}

将軍(しょうぐん)：「もしもあのような頼(たよ)れる臣(やつこ)がいなかったら、私(わたし)は死(し)んでいただろう。」

Shogun: "If I didn't have such a reliable retainer, I would have probably died." {slave, retainer, servant, captive, varlet, I, me}