In Japan, it is still customary for a lower-ranked person (in a company, for example) to address a superior by title rather than by first name. That is why Seikou refers to Shouran as "Shishou."

When used as a generic noun, I translate "shishou" as "master craftsman."

The reasons behind the exiling of women in the Imperial Palace, which set in motion the downfall of Empress Yo, are described in chapter 59 of Shadow of the Moon.

Labels: 12 kingdoms, hisho, language, translations