草分け|くさわけkusawake[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounpathfinder; trailblazer; early settler
   彼かれはこの分野ぶんやでは草分くさわけだ。↗

   He is a trailblazer in this field.
2. nounpioneer; founder; originator; groundbreaker

• Synonym開拓者かいたくしゃNeutralSomeone who clears wasteland or opens up a new field; stresses the hard work of breaking new ground.
• SynonymパイオニアNeutralLoanword for a pioneer or trailblazer; used mostly in technology and business contexts.
• Synonym元祖がんそNeutralThe originator of a product or way of doing things; often seen on shop signs as 「元祖○○」.
• Synonym始祖しそWrittenThe founding ancestor of a family line or school of thought; stresses the very source. Written/formal prose.
• Related開祖かいそWrittenThe founder of a sect or school, used mainly for religion, martial arts and traditional arts; written/formal prose.
• Related先駆者せんくしゃWrittenA pioneer who runs ahead of the times; written/formal prose, while 「草分け」 is more colloquial and friendly.
• Related先がけNeutralGoing ahead of others, often in the pattern 「…の先駆け」; stresses being first in time, while 「草分け」 stresses opening up a new field.
• Antonym後継こうけいWrittenSuccession or a successor; written/formal prose, and the opposite of the pioneer 「草分け」.
• Antonym跡継ぎあとつぎNeutralAn heir who takes over the family business or household; the neutral opposite of the originator 「草分け」.
• Antonym追随者ついずいしゃWrittenA follower who trails behind others and imitates their ideas or actions; written/formal prose, opposite of 「草分け」.

Use 「草分け」 for someone who opens up a field, as in 「日本アニメの草分け」. In written prose prefer 「先駆者」; for the founder of a sect or school say 「開祖」; for the first of a product say 「元祖」. The opposite is 「追随者」, a follower.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 未開みかいの土地とちを切り開きりひらいて進すすむ人ひと。最初さいしょに道みちを作つくる人ひと。
2. ある分野ぶんやで最初さいしょに始はじめた人ひと。新あたらしい道みちを作つくった人ひと。