mikado: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Historical, Formal, Specialised
Quick answer
What does “mikado” mean?
An emperor of Japan.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An emperor of Japan.
A term historically used in English to refer to the Japanese emperor, especially before WWII; also the name of a 19th-century operetta and a type of game involving pick-up sticks.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The game is known in both regions, though in the US 'pick-up sticks' is the more common generic term.
Connotations
In both varieties, the primary connotations are historical/exotic (for the emperor) or recreational (for the game). The archaic nature of 'mikado' for the emperor is more pronounced in contemporary usage.
Frequency
Very low frequency in modern use for the imperial title. Slightly more common in reference to the game, especially in Europe.
Grammar
How to Use “mikado” in a Sentence
[the + Mikado + verb][play + Mikado]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mikado” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Mikado role is famously challenging for a tenor.
- He collects antique mikado game sets.
American English
- The Mikado decree was issued in 1890.
- She bought a new mikado stick set.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Used in historical, Japanese studies, or musicology contexts.
Everyday
Rare; most likely in reference to the game or the operetta.
Technical
A specific game name in the field of traditional games/toys.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mikado”
- Capitalising incorrectly when not at the start of a sentence ('the Mikado' is correct).
- Using it to refer to modern Japanese emperors without historical context.
- Confusing it with 'shogun' (military ruler).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered an archaic and somewhat exoticised term from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The standard term today is 'the Emperor of Japan' or his reign name (e.g., Emperor Naruhito).
'Mikado' is the traditional name for the specific game of skill where players try to remove individual sticks from a pile without disturbing others. The highest-value stick is called the 'mikado' (emperor), giving the game its name.
Gilbert and Sullivan used a fictional Japanese setting as a safe, exotic backdrop to satirise British politics and society, which allowed them to critique institutions without direct confrontation.
When referring to the emperor or the operetta, it is a proper noun and should be capitalised ('the Mikado'). When referring to the game or a stick in that game, it is typically treated as a common noun ('a game of mikado', 'the blue mikado stick').
An emperor of Japan.
Mikado is usually historical, formal, specialised in register.
Mikado: in British English it is pronounced /mɪˈkɑːdəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɪˈkɑːdoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MIKADO: Might be Known As (the) Divine One - recalling the emperor's historical title.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS A TITLE (for the emperor); PRECISION IS A DELICATE BALANCE (for the game).
Practice
Quiz
In modern English, which term is most appropriate for formal reference to the Japanese emperor?