Ministry of the Center

Pre-modern Japan
Part of a series on the politics and
government of Japan during the
Nara and Heian periods

Chancellor / Chief Minister
Daijō-daijin
Minister of the Left Sadaijin
Minister of the Right Udaijin
Minister of the Center Naidaijin
Major Counselor Dainagon
Middle Counselor Chūnagon
Minor Counselor Shōnagon
Eight Ministries
Center Nakatsukasa-shō  
Ceremonial Shikibu-shō
Civil Administration Jibu-shō
Popular Affairs Minbu-shō
Military Hyōbu-shō
Justice Gyōbu-shō
Treasury Ōkura-shō
Imperial Household Kunai-shō

The Ministry of the Center (中務省 Nakatsukasa-shō) was a division of the eighth century Japanese government of the Imperial Court in Kyoto,[1] instituted in the Asuka period and formalized during the Heian period. The Ministry was replaced in the Meiji period.

Overview

This ministry encompassed those of the Imperial Household whose functions brought them closest to the emperor.[2] The ceremonies of the Imperial Household evolved over time. Among those holding the highest office in the Imperial Household ministry was Takaharu-shinnō, who would later become Emperor Go-Daigo.[3]

History

The ceremonial nature of the Imperial Household has changed over time. The Ministry was established in 649 as a liaison between the Daijō-kan and the Emperor.[4]

The ambit of the Ministry's activities encompasses, for example:

Hierarchy

Amongst the significant Daijō-kan officials within this ministry structure were:[6]

In the Meiji period, a variant equerry was introduced as part of the Imperial retinue. As explained in an excerpt from the 113th Imperial decree of 1896 (Meiji 29) (明治29年勅令第113号):

"Aides-de-camp to the Emperor of Japan (侍従武官 jijū bukan) will perform attendant duties and will relay to him military matters and orders, be present at military reviews [in his name] and accompanying him to formal ceremonies and interviews."[8]

See also

Notes

  1. Kawakami, Karl Kiyoshi. (1903). The Political Ideas of the Modern Japan, pp. 36-38., p. 36, at Google Books
  2. Ministry of Central Affairs, Sheffield.
  3. Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959) The Imperial House of Japan, p. 204.
  4. 1 2 Nussbaum, Louis Frédéric et al. (2005). "Nakatsukasa-shō" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 692., p. 692, at Google Books
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Kawakami, p. 37 n1,, p. 37, at Google Books citing Ito Hirobumi, Commentaries on the Japanese Constitution, p. 86 (1889).
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Annales des empereurs du japon, p. 427., p. 427, at Google Books
  7. Varley, H. Paul. (1980). Jinnō Shōtōki, p. 272.
  8. 侍従武官ハ天皇ニ常侍奉仕シ軍事ニ関スル奏上奉答及命令ノ伝達ニ任シ観兵演習行幸其他祭儀礼典宴会謁見等ニ陪侍扈従ス

References

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