Treatise 38: Offices II

¶Jingikan (Department of Deities)

¶The Jingikan (Department of Deities) was, in remote antiquity, administered by the two clans of Nakatomi and Imibe, and it was held as an assisting post (hosuke) through the generations. (Source: Kogo Shūi, Shokugenshō.) Afterward, ritual and government gradually separated. (Source: Nihon Shoki Taii.) In the reign of Emperor Kōtoku, Imibe no Obito Sakashi, of the Junior Flowery Rank (Shōkage), was made head of the Office of the Deities (Kamitsukasa) and was charged exclusively with the conferral of ranks on members of the royal clans and with court ceremonial, marriage matters, and divination by tortoise-shell and milfoil. This was the beginning of the office. (Source: Kogo Shūi. Note: Having examined the Nihon Shoki, a Jingi-haku (Director of the Department of Deities) appears in the first year of Emperor Keitai and the second year of Emperor Kōgyoku, but these were probably added later, so they are not adopted here.) With the enactment of the Taihō Code the office was renamed to its present name, and one Haku (Director; Junior Fourth Rank Lower) was installed, charged with the rites of the deities of heaven and earth, the registers of the hafuribe (shrine attendants) and kanbe (shrine households), the pacifying rite of the Great Thanksgiving Festival (Daijōsai), the divinatory cracks of the Miko (shrine maidens), and similar matters. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) Details appear in the Treatise on Deities of Heaven and Earth. The Taifu (Senior Assistant Director; one post, Junior Fifth Rank Lower) and the Shōfu (Junior Assistant Director; one post, Senior Sixth Rank Upper) were both second in rank to the Haku. The Daijō (Senior Secretary; one post, Junior Sixth Rank Upper) and the Shōjō (Junior Secretary; one post, Junior Sixth Rank Lower) were both in charge of correcting and judging matters within the office, examining and countersigning draft documents, and inspecting the night watch and its faults and omissions. The Daishi (Senior Clerk; one post, Senior Eighth Rank Lower) and the Shōshi (Junior Clerk; one post, Junior Eighth Rank Upper) were both in charge of submitting and abstracting matters received, collating and signing draft documents, and examining official papers and reading them over for errors. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) The Shishō (scribes; four posts) (Source: Shoku Nihongi; established in the fourth year of Yōrō) were in charge of copying official documents and putting drafts into effect. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) There were thirty Kamube (attendants of the deities) and twenty Urabe (diviners). (Source: Ryō no Shūge, Ruijū Sandai Kyaku, the sixth year of Hōki. Note: of the twenty Urabe, two were selected and appointed as senior officers (chōjō) of tortoise-shell divination. Note: the Engishiki states that, in general, the Urabe are drawn from those skilled in the divinatory arts of three provinces, five from Izu, five from Iki, and ten from Tsushima; and that when men resident in the capital are taken, they must not be assigned carelessly unless their skill is outstanding.) There were two Kamugotoko (players of the sacred zither) (Source: Ruijū Sandai Kyaku; established in the fourth year of Hōki; later the post lapsed, and in the fourteenth year of Jōwa one was added and the post restored), thirty Shibu (messengers) (Note: the Engishiki gives fifteen), and two Jikichō (attendants on duty). (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In later ages, provisional officials (gon-kan) were installed for both the Taifu and the Shōfu. (Source: Shokugenshō.) In the reign of Emperor Horikawa, Prince Akihiro, a great-great-grandson of Prince Kiyohito, the son of Emperor Kazan, was made Haku; from him his descendants succeeded one another until the post finally became hereditary, and no other clan was appointed to it. (Source: Shirakawa-ke Keizu, Shokugenshō.)

¶In general all offices are divided into four grades, called the chief (chōkan), the vice-chief (jikan), the judge (hangan), and the secretary (sakan). The chief is called Haku in the Jingikan, Daijin (Minister) in the Daijōkan (Grand Council of State), Kyō (Minister) in the Eight Ministries, In (Director) in the Dandaidai (Board of Censors), Daibu in a shiki (bureau), Toku (Commander) or also Taishō (General) in a fu (guard), Kami in a ryō (bureau), Kami in a tsukasa (office), Sochi in the Dazaifu, Shōgun in the Chinjufu, and Kami in a province. The vice-chief is called Fu in the Jingikan, Nagon (Counselor) in the Daijōkan (Note: Dainagon and Chūnagon), Suke in the Eight Ministries, Hitsu in the Board of Censors, Suke in a shiki, Suke in a fu, or also Chūjō and Shōshō (Middle and Minor Captain), Suke in a ryō, Ni in the Dazaifu, and Suke in a province. The judge is called Jō in the Jingikan, Shōnagon (Minor Counselor) and Ben (Controller) in the Daijōkan, Jō in the Eight Ministries, Chū in the Board of Censors, Shin in a shiki, Jō in a fu, or also Shōgen, Jō in a ryō, Jō in a tsukasa, Gen in the Dazaifu, Gungen in the Chinjufu, and Jō in a province. The secretary is called Shi in the two great departments (the Jingikan and the Daijōkan), Roku in the Eight Ministries, Sō in the Board of Censors, Sakan in a shiki, Shi in a fu, or also Shōsō, Sakan in a ryō, Reishi in a tsukasa, Ten in the Dazaifu, Gunsō in the Chinjufu, and Sakan in a province, and the rest all follow these. In deciding great matters within an office, the chief does not wait for the deliberation and detailed examination of the judge; this is called sōhan (general judgment). The judge handles the minor matters within the office; this is called kyūhan (correcting judgment). The duties of the judge, the secretary, and the shishō are the same in all the offices as in the Jingikan. (Source: consult Ryō no Gige, Wamyōshō, Shokugenshō.)

¶Daijōkan (Grand Council of State)

¶The Daijōkan corresponds to the ancient posts of Ōomi and Ōmuraji. From the time of Takeuchi no Sukune and Ōtomo no Takemochi, the Ōomi and Ōmuraji together administered the great affairs of government. (Source: Shokugenshō.) With the institutional reforms of Emperor Kōtoku, the Sadaijin and Udaijin (Minister of the Left and Minister of the Right) were newly installed. Emperor Tenji first installed the Daijō-daijin (Grand Minister of State). (Source: Nihon Shoki.) With the enactment of the Taihō Code, one Daijō-daijin (Senior or Junior First Rank) was fixed; the post was to serve as a model for all within the four seas, to govern the state and discuss the Way, and to harmonize yin and yang, and it was left vacant if no suitable person was available. The Sadaijin and Udaijin, one each (Senior or Junior Second Rank), were in charge of overseeing the many affairs of government and of taking in hand the whole of its regulations and essential items, and they also assisted the Board of Censors (Danjōdai) in correcting improper conduct.

¶In general, for communication from above downward, what the Son of Heaven issues is called a shō (edict) and is used for great matters. (Note: also called a shōsho.) What is called a choku (rescript) is used for minor matters. (Note: also called a chokushi.) What the Three Empresses and the Crown Prince issue is called a rei (order). (Note: also called a reiji.) What the Daijōkan sends down to the various offices is called a fu (directive). For communication from below upward, a great matter is called a ronsō (memorial of discussion), the next kind a sōji (matter report), and a minor matter a bensō (convenience memorial). Toward the Three Empresses and the Crown Prince it is called a kei (statement). When the various offices address the Daijōkan, and when a lower office addresses a higher office, it is called a ge (report). What the various offices send to one another is called an i (transmittal); what officials of rank from secretary upward, in the capital and the provinces, address to the various offices is called a chō (notice); and what miscellaneous functionaries of the capital and the provinces address to the various offices is called a ji (statement). (Source: Ryō no Gige.)

¶The Daijōkan supervises the Eight Ministries and all the provinces, and the government of the whole realm is decided here. Because it issues edicts and rescripts and sends down official directives, it was called the "Capital Ministry" (Tosshō). (Source: Ryō no Gige, Shokugenshō.) In general, great sacrifices and rites, the estimation of state expenditure, increases and decreases in the number of officials, judgments of exile and of removal of names from the rolls, the abolition and establishment of provinces and districts, the levying of troops and horses, the use of stored goods, the conferral by rescript of outer ranks and of the Fifth Rank, and matters not provided for in the codes that merit deliberation are all handled by memorial of discussion. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In general, when a prince of the blood of lesser degree (shoō) is appointed Daijō-daijin, an imperial prince (shinnō) may not be made Sadaijin or Udaijin. When a subject is appointed Daijō-daijin, a shoō may not be made Sadaijin or Udaijin. When an imperial prince is appointed Sadaijin, a shoō may become Udaijin, but subjects may not take a place alongside the imperial prince. (Source: Engishiki.) The Daijō-daijin ranked above the hundred officials, the Sadaijin and Udaijin came next, and together they were called the Three Excellencies (Sankō). They guided and assisted the Son of Heaven and carried out the great government of the realm. (Source: summarizing Ryō no Gige and Shokugenshō.) At first, after Emperor Tenji, the post of Daijō-daijin was always held by the Crown Prince. (Source: Nihon Shoki, Kugyō Bunin.) Or, when an imperial prince took charge of official business, the post proper was not necessarily installed. When Empress Shōtoku showed favor to the monk Dōkyō and conferred the post of Daijō-daijin on him, this was the first time a subject was appointed to the post proper (Daijō-daijin). (Source: Shoku Nihongi, Kugyō Bunin.) Afterward, Fujiwara no Ason Yoshifusa, as Daijō-daijin, became regent (sesshō), and his son Mototsune, as Sadaijin, also became regent, and all the myriad affairs of state were entrusted to the chief adviser (kampaku) Mototsune. From then on sesshō and kampaku finally became official titles, and the great powers all came to be gathered in them. Those who rose to this post, even if they were Sadaijin or Udaijin, still ranked above the Daijō-daijin and were called Ichi-no-za (First Seat) or Ichi-no-kami (First Above; also Ichi-no-hito, First Person). This means that their rank was the highest a subject could attain. When Minamoto no Yoritomo took the power over troops and horses, the regent, the chief adviser, and the Three Excellencies became offices in name only and fell into disuse in fact, and royal rule ceased once more to operate throughout the realm. (Source: consult Sandai Jitsuroku, Shokugenshō, Azuma Kagami.)

¶The Naidaijin (Inner Minister; one post, Senior or Junior Second Rank; (Source: Shokugenshō, Kanshoku Nangi. Note: none of the various books clearly states the rank of the Naidaijin, probably because it was not a regular post. The Kanshoku Nangi says that Senior or Junior Second Rank is the equivalent. For now this is followed provisionally.)) was an extra-statutory office (ryōge no kan). Emperor Kōtoku installed the Naishin (Inner Minister) and appointed Nakatomi no Muraji Kamatari to it. In the Tenji court he was promoted to Naidaijin, with the rank of Taishokkan (Great Woven Cap), placed above the Sadaijin and Udaijin, and the duty of assisting and supporting the government of the court was extremely weighty. In the time of Emperor Kōnin, Fujiwara no Ason Yoshitsugu and Uona both passed through the post of Naishin and were promoted to Naidaijin, following the precedent of Kamatari, but they were placed below the Sadaijin and Udaijin, and their power and influence differed from that in the time of Emperor Tenji. Because it was not a permanent post, its abolition and re-establishment were not fixed. (Source: Shokugenshō, Kugyō Bunin, Shoku Nihongi.)

¶There was also the Jundaijin (Associate Minister). In the Kankō era of Emperor Ichijō, Fujiwara no Korechika was first appointed to it. Because its rank lay below that of a minister and above that of a Dainagon (Major Counselor), it was called Jundaijin, and also Gidōsanshi (Equal to the Three Excellencies). From then on the court always kept this post, using it to provide for senior nobles (kugyō) whose promotion had stalled and who could not advance to the Three Excellencies, and its rank relative to that of the Naidaijin was not fixed. (Source: Shokugenshō, Kanshoku Nangi.)

¶The Dainagon (Major Counselor; four posts, Senior Third Rank; (Note: the "four" does not agree with the statement below that the number was reduced in the Keiun era; the present text probably did not correct it, following the older text.)) were in charge of taking part in deliberation on government affairs generally, of relaying memorials and imperial pronouncements (senji), and of offering opinions as attendants. When a minister was absent, they acted for him in the business of his office. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) At first Emperor Tenji installed the Gyoshi-taifu (Censor-in-Chief). In the first year of Emperor Temmu this was changed to the present name. (Source: Kugyō Bunin.) In the second year of Keiun, in the reign of Emperor Monmu, an edict said: "The post of Dainagon is equal to that of a minister, and its rank surpasses all the other lords. The charge is weighty and the business confidential, yet the number of officials is insufficient. It is proper to reduce them to two and to install three Chūnagon (Middle Counselors) to make up the shortfall." (Source: Shoku Nihongi.) In the fifth year of Tenchō, in the reign of Emperor Junna, a provisional Dainagon (Gon-dainagon) was installed. (Source: Kugyō Bunin.) Emperor Uda decreed: "The Dainagon and Chūnagon must each not exceed three." (Source: Kanshoku Hishō, citing the Kampyō Yuikai.) However, this rule was not fixed. By the courts of Takakura and Antoku there were eight Dainagon and ten Chūnagon. In the Kenkyū era of Emperor Go-Toba the numbers were fixed at six Dainagon and eight Chūnagon. Emperor Go-Daigo is said also to have followed that system. (Source: Kugyō Bunin, Kanshoku Hishō, Shokugenshō.)

¶The Chūnagon (three posts, Senior Fourth Rank Upper; an extra-statutory office (Source: Shoku Nihongi)): the details of its creation are unknown. In the time of Empress Jitō there was already a Chūnagon. (Note: having examined the Iroha Jiruishō, it holds that there was a Chūnagon in the time of Emperor Temmu. However, the earliest appearance in the histories is in the Annals of Jitō. The Shokugenshō, the Teiō Hennenki, and other books therefore take the sixth year of Jitō as the first installation. However, the Kōnin Rekiunki says that the year of installation is uncertain. That view is correct, so it is followed here.) It was abolished in the first year of Taihō under Emperor Monmu. In the second year of Keiun it was installed again, and, as assistants to the Dainagon, the Chūnagon were charged with relaying memorials and imperial pronouncements and with responding to inquiries. (Source: Shoku Nihongi.) In the eighth year of Tenpyō-shōhō, in the reign of Empress Kōken, a provisional Chūnagon (Gon-chūnagon) was installed. (Source: Kugyō Bunin. Note: the Iroha Jiruishō gives the first year. The Kanshoku Hishō and the Shokugenshō say that from the Tenryaku era onward provisional officials gradually increased, until in the first year of Jōan they reached ten. In the Kenkyū era the number was fixed at eight. Emperor Go-Daigo also followed this system, but in the end it was not fixed.) In the fifth year of Tenpyō-hōji, in the reign of the Deposed Emperor (Emperor Junnin), the post was raised to an office of Junior Third Rank. (Source: Shoku Nihongi.)

¶The Sangi (Consultant; eight posts, Senior Fourth Rank Lower (Note: the Shūgaishō and the Tatara Mondō give Junior Fourth Rank Upper); an extra-statutory office) were in charge of taking part in deliberation on government affairs within the office. (Source: Shokugenshō.) In the second year of Taihō, in the reign of Emperor Monmu, five men, beginning with Ōtomo no Sukune Yasumaro of the Junior Third Rank, were made to take part in deliberation on court government; this was the beginning of the Sangi. (Source: Shoku Nihongi.) In the first year of Daidō, in the reign of Emperor Heizei, Inspectors of the Six Circuits (Kansatsushi) were installed and made concurrent with the Sangi. Soon afterward they were increased to eight circuits, the name Sangi was abolished and they were called Kansatsushi, and they were made to inspect the government of the provinces and districts. In the first year of Kōnin, in the reign of Emperor Saga, the Kansatsushi were abolished and the Sangi were restored. The installation of eight Sangi began with this, and for this reason they were called the Eight Seats (Hachiza). (Source: consult Nihon Kōki, Nihon Kiryaku, Kugyō Bunin, Shokugenshō, Montoku Jitsuroku. Note: having examined the Kugyō Bunin, in the second year of Wadō Prince Nagaya was made a non-Sangi (hi-sangi). The non-Sangi began with this. I further note that in the first year of Daidō, Fujiwara no Kadonomaro was made a provisional Sangi (gon-sangi) and Kibi no Izumi an associate Sangi (jun-sangi), both of which appear in the Kugyō Bunin. These are provisionally added here.) In the sixth year of Gangyō, in the reign of Emperor Yōzei, the Ministry of Ceremonial (Shikibushō) submitted: "The office of Sangi has no fixed provision for performance evaluation or stipends, and its official rank is not clear, because it is not a fixed substantive office (jiji-kan). We beg that a new regulation of official rank, performance evaluation, stipends, and the like be established, and that it be made a substantive office." (Source: Kanke Bunsō.) However, this proposal was never carried out. (Source: Shokugenshō.)

¶The Shōnagon (Minor Counselor; three posts, Junior Fifth Rank Lower) belonged to the number of attendants (jijū) and were in charge of minor matters of memorials and imperial pronouncements and of the issuing and conveying of the bell and seal (reiin). They handled the bell box for express couriers and also supervised the official seals. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In the third year of Daidō, in the reign of Emperor Heizei, one Shōnagon was added, and the next year one more was added. (Source: Nihon Kōki.) In the fourth year of Kōnin, in the reign of Emperor Saga, the senior nobles submitted: "Examining the Statute on Official Personnel, it provides three Shōnagon, four Chū-kenmotsu (Middle Treasury Inspectors), and four Shō-kenmotsu (Minor Treasury Inspectors). In the Daidō era, however, because business was heavy, one Shōnagon, one Chū-kenmotsu, and two Shō-kenmotsu were added beyond the statutory numbers. Circumstances differ between past and present, and increases and decreases should accord with the times. We beg that the added posts be removed and reduced, so that we follow only the text of the statute." This was granted. (Source: Ruijū Kokushi.) The Shōnagon was originally an important post, but when Emperor Saga installed the Kurōdo (Chamberlains), its authority gradually passed to the Kurōdo, and the Shōnagon came to be in charge only of the bell, the seal, and the like. (Source: Shokugenshō. Note: in the Shoku Nihongi, in the fourth year of Enryaku, Fujiwara no Otoakira became a provisional Shōnagon, but no provisional officials appear other than this.)

¶The Daigeki (Senior Recorder; two posts, Senior Seventh Rank Upper) and the Shōgeki (Junior Recorder; two posts, Junior Seventh Rank Upper) were in charge of examining edicts and memorials, reading over official papers, countersigning draft documents, and detecting omissions and faults. There were ten shishō (scribes) (Source: Ryō no Gige) and forty-three shibu (messengers). (Source: Engishiki.) In the second year of Enryaku, in the reign of Emperor Kanmu, the Daijōkan memorialized: "The office called Geki has in recent years become heavy in duties. Edicts, rescripts, and the kyaku and shiki (supplementary regulations and procedures) are issued through it. We beg that its official rank be raised, so that the Daigeki is made Senior Sixth Rank Upper and the Shōgeki Senior Seventh Rank Upper." This was approved. (Source: Shoku Nihongi, Ruijū Sandai Kyaku. Note: the Shokugenshō says that in recent times the Daigeki rose to the Fifth Rank. This is provisionally added here.) Within the Daijōkan there are in fact three bureaus: the Shōnagon Bureau, the Left Controllers' Bureau (Saben-kan), and the Right Controllers' Bureau (Uben-kan). (Source: Shokugenshō.) In later ages the Sadaishi (Senior Clerk of the Left) concurrently handled the business of both the left and right bureaus, and this was called Kammu (official business). The senior Geki conducted the business of the Shōnagon Bureau, and this was called Kyokumu (bureau business). Hence they were called the Two Bureaus. (Source: consult Ryō no Gige, Shokugenshō.) For the Shōgeki two provisional officials were installed in later ages, and the Daigeki became a hereditary post of the two clans Kiyohara and Nakahara. (Source: Iroha Jiruishō, Shokugenshō, Kiyohara Keizu, Nakahara Keizu.)

¶The Sadaiben and Udaiben (Senior Controllers of the Left and Right; one each, Junior Fourth Rank Upper; (Note: according to the Nihon Shoki and the stele of Uneme no Chikera, there was already a Senior Controller's office in the Temmu court. However, the histories do not record its beginning, so this is provisionally added here.)): the Left Controllers' Office had jurisdiction over the Ministries of Central Affairs (Nakatsukasashō), Ceremonial (Shikibushō), Civil Affairs (Jibushō), and Popular Affairs (Minbushō), and was in charge of receiving miscellaneous business, correcting and judging matters within the office, signing draft documents, inspecting for omissions, the night duty of the various offices, and the court attendance of the provinces (chōshū). The Right Controllers' Office had jurisdiction over the Ministries of Military Affairs (Hyōbushō), Justice (Gyōbushō), the Treasury (Ōkurashō), and the Imperial Household (Kunaishō), and in other respects was the same as the left. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In general, of the miscellaneous business the various offices submit, the Controllers report all of it to the Daijōkan. If several matters are reported at once, in each case matters of the deities take precedence. (Source: Engishiki.) The Sa-chūben and U-chūben (Middle Controllers of the Left and Right; one each, Senior Fifth Rank Upper) and the Sa-shōben and U-shōben (Junior Controllers of the Left and Right; one each, Senior Fifth Rank Lower) had duties that were in every case the same as those of the Senior Controller. There were two Sa-daishi and two U-daishi (Senior Clerks of the Left and Right; Senior Sixth Rank Upper), two Sa-shōshi and two U-shōshi (Junior Clerks; Senior Seventh Rank Upper), and ten shishō each for the left and right. (Source: Ryō no Gige; the Shoku Nihongi says that in the fifth year of Wadō six shishō were added each for left and right, and the Nihon Kōki says that in the fourth year of Daidō four more were added to each. Note: the Engishiki gives eighteen each, and two provisional officials each.) There were two Kanjō (court stewards) each for left and right, who were in charge of relaying for litigants, overseeing the shibu, guarding the government offices, setting up the halls of business, and the like. The duties of the Shōjō (ministry stewards), Daijō (board stewards), Shikijō (bureau stewards), Fujō (guard stewards), Ryōjō (bureau stewards), and Kokujō (provincial stewards) were all the same. There were eighty shibu each for left and right (Note: the Engishiki gives thirty each) and four jikichō each for left and right. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In the time of Emperor Kōnin, provisional officials were installed for both the Middle and Junior Controllers, and they were called the Eight Controllers (Happen). Later one was removed and they were called the Seven Controllers (Shichiben). (Source: consult Kanshoku Hishō, Shokugenshō, Ozuki-shi Keizu.)

¶The Junsatsushi (Circuit Inspectors) were in charge of touring and inspecting the provinces and were not a permanent office. As occasion required, persons from among the officials of the capital and the provinces who were known for integrity and impartiality were appointed to it. In general, the matters to be inspected and the number of envoys were in every case fixed on each occasion as required. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In the twelfth year of Emperor Temmu, envoys were dispatched to six circuits, including the Tōkaidō and the Tōsandō, and a judge (hangan) and a clerk (shi) in each inspected the administrative records of the provincial and district governors. In the eighth year of Empress Jitō, Circuit Inspectors were sent to the provinces, and the Junsatsushi began with this. (Source: Nihon Shoki.) Afterward, the court constantly sent envoys to inquire into local customs and to examine the results of government, placing one in each circuit, so that they were called the Eight Envoys (Hasshi). (Source: Shoku Nihongi, Ruijū Sandai Kyaku.) After the Tenchō era the court gradually grew negligent of the people's government and seems no longer to have appointed envoys. (Source: Nihon Kiryaku. Note: the present work takes the appointment of envoys in the second year of Tenchō as the last, and after that none appear in the histories.)

¶Nakatsukasashō (Ministry of Central Affairs)

¶The Nakatsukasashō had a Kyō (Minister; one post, Senior Fourth Rank Upper), who was in charge of offering opinions as an attendant, of assisting in ceremonial, of examining and countersigning drafts of edicts and rescripts, of receiving matters and returning memorials, of conveying consolation by imperial pronouncement, of presenting petitions to the throne, of overseeing the national history, and of the registers of princesses, of the inner and outer myōbu (court ladies), and of palace women and the like, the records of ranks and performance evaluations, the household registers and tax-and-tribute ledgers of the provinces, and the name registers of monks and nuns. Among the offices under it were, first, the Chūgūshiki (Office of the Empress's Household); sixth, the Left and Right Ōtoneri-ryō (Bureaus of Great Attendants), the Zusho-ryō (Bureau of Books), the Kuraryō (Bureau of the Inner Treasury), the Nuidono-ryō (Bureau of Sewing), and the On'yō-ryō (Bureau of Yin-Yang); and there were three tsukasa, the Egushi-no-tsukasa (Office of Painters), the Uchi-no-kusuri-no-tsukasa (Office of Imperial Medicine), and the Uchi-no-iya-no-tsukasa (Office of Inner Ceremonial). The Taifu (Senior Vice-Minister; one post, Senior Fifth Rank Upper) and the Shōfu (Junior Vice-Minister; one post, Junior Fifth Rank Upper) were both second to the Kyō, but they remonstrated and did not offer opinions in the manner of the Kyō (kentai). The Daijō (Senior Secretary; one post, Senior Sixth Rank Lower) and the Shōjō (Junior Secretaries; two posts, Junior Sixth Rank Upper) were in charge of the performance evaluation of palace officials and the like, and in other respects were the same as the Jō of the Jingikan. There was one Dairoku (Senior Recorder; Senior Seventh Rank Upper), three Shōroku (Junior Recorders; Senior Eighth Rank Upper), and twenty shishō. (Source: Ryō no Gige; the Shoku Nihongi says that in the sixth year of Wadō ten shishō were added; the Ruijū Kokushi says that in the third year of Daidō ten were removed; the Sandai Jitsuroku says that in the sixteenth year of Jōgan six were removed. Note: the Engishiki gives twenty, probably because it restored the old system of the code.) In later ages provisional officials were installed for both the Taifu and the Shōfu. (Source: Kanshoku Hishō, Shokugenshō.)

¶The Jijū (Chamberlains; eight posts, Junior Fifth Rank Lower) were in charge of remonstrance as constant attendants and of gleaning omissions and repairing deficiencies; whenever a punitive expedition levied three thousand or more troops, they were assigned as envoys, who proclaimed the rescript, consoled the troops, and sent them off. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) Three of them concurrently served as Shōnagon, as seen above. (Source: consult Ryō no Gige, Shokugenshō.) In the first year of Eishō, in the reign of Emperor Go-Reizei, one was added. Afterward the number of officials increased day by day, until in the time of Emperor Tsuchimikado there were twenty. (Source: Kanshoku Hishō.) There were also the Tsugi-no-jijū (Secondary Chamberlains) and the Idei-no-jijū (Chamberlains of the Seating Place), both extra-statutory offices. In the first year of Ninju, in the reign of Emperor Montoku, Prince Michino of the Junior Fourth Rank Lower and more than twenty others were made Secondary Chamberlains. (Note: having examined the Shoku Nihongi, in the first month of the fourth year of Keiun in the reign of Empress Shōtoku, those of the Secondary Chamberlain rank and above were feasted at the Eastern Court. From this it is clear that their installation preceded Ninju. However, it cannot now be examined in detail.) Prince Takaeda of the Senior Fourth Rank Lower and more than twenty others were made Chamberlains of the Seating Place. (Source: Montoku Jitsuroku.) In the fifth year of Jōgan, in the reign of Emperor Seiwa, thirteen Secondary Chamberlains were appointed, and soon four more were added. (Source: Saikyūki.) In the Engi era of Emperor Daigo the number of Secondary Chamberlains was fixed at one hundred and the regular Chamberlains at eight, and these too are said to have been within the fixed number. (Source: Engishiki.)

¶The Uchi-toneri (Inner Attendants; ninety) (Source: Shoku Nihongi): toneri were an office of attendants on the left and right established in remote antiquity. (Source: Nihon Shoki.) In the first year of Taihō, in the reign of Emperor Monmu, the number of Uchi-toneri was first fixed at ninety (Source: Shoku Nihongi); they were in charge of keeping watch while bearing swords, of serving in miscellaneous matters, and, when the Son of Heaven went on a progress, of guarding him in divisions before and behind. (Source: Ryō no Gige. Note: the Ruijū Kokushi says that in the second year of Daidō the Uchi-toneri were made to submit reports in place of the gate wardens (Kinushi), and were also made, together with the Kenmotsu, to handle the receipt and issue of miscellaneous goods of the various offices. In the second year of Kōnin the Uchi-toneri's submission of reports was stopped, and the gate wardens were made to submit reports as before.) In the third year of Daidō, in the reign of Emperor Heizei, the Uchi-toneri were reduced and fixed at forty. (Source: Ruijū Kokushi, Ruijū Sandai Kyaku.) In the fourth year of Kyūan, in the reign of Emperor Konoe, the number was fixed at sixty, and afterward it increased further to more than a hundred. (Source: Hyakurenshō, Kanshoku Hishō.) Descendants of those of the Fifth Rank or above who were clear in disposition and discernment and fine in bearing were selected to fill the posts. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) Even a son of a minister could be appointed to it. In later ages ministers, in return for merit such as a provisional palace grant (naikyū) or a contribution of wealth (jōgō), recommended their retainers as Uchi-toneri, so that selection to the post finally became base. (Source: Kanshoku Hishō.)

¶The Dainaiki (Senior Scribe of the Inner Records; two posts, Senior Sixth Rank Upper) were in charge of drafting edicts and rescripts. The same applied to matters of the records of the palace. The Chūnaiki (Middle Scribes; two posts, Senior Seventh Rank Upper) and the Shōnaiki (Junior Scribes; two posts, Senior Eighth Rank Upper) had duties that were in every case the same as the preceding. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In the first year of Daidō, in the reign of Emperor Heizei, the Chūnaiki was abolished, the Shōnaiki was raised to an office of Senior Seventh Rank Upper, and four shishō were further installed. (Source: Nihon Kōki, Ruijū Kokushi. Consult Ruijū Sandai Kyaku. Note: in the fourth year of Daidō two were removed.) In later ages the Dainaiki rose to the Fifth Rank and the Shōnaiki to the Sixth Rank. (Source: Shokugenshō. Note: the present work gives one Dainaiki.)

¶The Daikenmotsu (Senior Treasury Inspector; two posts, Junior Fifth Rank Lower) were in charge of inspecting receipts and issues and of handing over and receiving keys. The Chū-kenmotsu (Middle Inspectors; four posts, Junior Sixth Rank Upper) and the Shō-kenmotsu (Junior Inspectors; four posts, Senior Seventh Rank Lower) had duties that were in every case the same as the preceding. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In the first year of Taihō, in the reign of Emperor Monmu, the Office of Dispensing Goods (Geshitsu-no-tsukasa) was installed; this was that office. (Source: Shoku Nihongi. Consult the marginal readings of the old text of the Ryō no Gige.) In the fourth year of Daidō, in the reign of Emperor Heizei, two Chū-kenmotsu and two Shō-kenmotsu were added. In the fourth year of Kōnin, in the reign of Emperor Saga, the old arrangement was restored. This matter has already been seen above. (Source: Nihon Kōki, Ruijū Kokushi.) The Chū-kenmotsu was abolished in later ages and no longer installed. (Note: the Engishiki lists the Chū-kenmotsu but the Kanshoku Hishō does not. It is therefore clear that the abolition came after Engi and before Shōji, but the year and month cannot be pointed out with certainty.) The Kenmotsu also had secretaries (sakan), an extra-statutory office, the time of whose installation is not known. It was abolished in the third year of Daidō, in the reign of Emperor Heizei. (Source: Nihon Kōki.) Later it was installed again, at Junior Seventh Rank Upper. (Source: Kanshoku Hishō, Shokugenshō. Note: the Shūgaishō gives Greater Initial Rank Upper.) There were four shishō. (Source: Ryō no Gige. Note: the Engishiki gives eight.)

¶The Daishurei (Senior Keeper of Bells; two posts, Senior Seventh Rank Lower) were in charge of the receipt and issue of the bell and seal (reiin), the transit tallies (denpu), and the bell box for express couriers. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In general, on every official document sent down to the provinces, the Shurei affixed the seal. (Source: Engishiki.) The Shōshurei (Junior Keepers of Bells; two posts, Senior Eighth Rank Upper) had duties the same as the preceding. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) The Daitenyaku (Senior Keepers of Keys; two posts, Junior Seventh Rank Lower) and the Shōtenyaku (Junior Keepers of Keys; two posts, Junior Eighth Rank Upper) were in charge of the receipt and issue of keys. (Note: having examined the Nihon Shoki, the Tenyaku first appears in the seventh year of Empress Jitō.) There were two Shōshō (ministry stewards) (Source: Ryō no Gige) and two Fushōshō (assistant stewards) (Source: Sandai Jitsuroku; installed in the twelfth year of Jōgan), seventy shibu (Note: the Engishiki gives thirty), and ten jikichō. (Source: Ryō no Gige. Note: in the present work the officials of the Nakatsukasashō from the Roku upward belong to the same office, but the Naiki, Kenmotsu, Shurei, and Tenyaku are each treated as a separate tsukasa. For this reason the Engishiki calls the officials from the Naiki downward the officers of the four bureaus.)

¶Chūgūshiki (Office of the Empress's Household). The Daibu (Chief; one post, Junior Fourth Rank Lower) was in charge of receiving and issuing, of reporting to the throne, and of proclaiming orders. There was one Suke (Vice-Chief; Junior Fifth Rank Lower), one Daishin (Senior Secretary; Junior Sixth Rank Upper), two Shōshin (Junior Secretaries; Junior Sixth Rank Lower), one Daisakan (Senior Clerk; Senior Eighth Rank Lower), and two Shōsakan (Junior Clerks; Junior Eighth Rank Upper). (Source: Ryō no Gige.) There were eight shishō (Source: Engishiki), two shokushō (Source: Ryō no Shūge, Ruijū Sandai Kyaku; installed in the ninth year of Kōnin), and four hundred toneri, who were in charge of the night watch in rotation. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) There were thirty shibu (Note: the Engishiki gives twenty) and three jikichō. In general the Empress (Kōgō), the Empress Dowager (Kōtaigō), and the Grand Empress Dowager (Taikōtaigō) were together called Chūgū. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) For this reason the officials attached to the Three Palaces (Sangū) probably all followed this system. (Source: Shoku Nihongi, Montoku Jitsuroku, Sandai Jitsuroku, Ruijū Kokushi. Note: having examined the Shoku Nihongi, Emperor Shōmu called the household office of his natural mother, the Dowager Consort (Kōtaifujin), the Chūgūshiki, so that the Dowager Consort too was called Chūgū. Having examined the present work, at the accession of Emperor Kanmu the Chūgūshiki was first installed for the Dowager Consort of the Takano clan. However, from Tenpyō onward officials of the Chūgū often appear in the present work, so the statement that it was "first installed" now is doubtful. I think this office was not a permanent post; it was installed if there was a Chūgū and abolished if there was not. Probably "first installed" means first installed for the Dowager Consort, and does not mean that the office itself began here. This is added to serve for further examination.) When Emperor Ichijō established the Nyōgo (consort) Fujiwara no Shōshi as Chūgū, her rank became second to that of the Empress. (Source: Eiga Monogatari, Nihon Kiryaku.) The title Chūgū was no longer as in the old system of the codes. (Source: Kanshoku Hishō, Shokugenshō. Note: a certain text of the Shokugenshō says that after the Chūgū was installed in the Tenō era, she was called together with the Three Palaces the Four Palaces. By this the title of Four Palaces would already have existed at that time. However, the Chūgū of the Tenō era was the title of the palace of the Dowager Consort, which is the same as the Three Palaces, and no separate Chūgū was installed. The account in the present work is quite doubtful. Perhaps, after Emperor Ichijō, the office was installed specially for the Chūgū and called the Four Palaces, and the present work mistakenly assigned this to the Tenō era. It is added to await later examination.) In later ages the Daibu, Suke, Daishin, and Shōshin all had provisional officials. (Source: Kanshoku Hishō, Shokugenshō.)

¶The Left and Right Ōtoneri-ryō (Bureaus of Great Attendants). In the time of Emperor Temmu the Ōtoneri were already installed divided into left and right (Source: from Emperor Temmu onward, the Nihon Shoki), and the system of the Taihō Code followed this. The Kami (Director; one post each, Junior Fifth Rank Upper) were in charge of the roster of Ōtoneri, their night watch in rotation, and matters of their bearing and temporary dispatch. There was one Suke (Senior Sixth Rank Lower), one Daijō (Senior Secretary; Senior Seventh Rank Lower), one Shōjō (Junior Seventh Rank Upper), one Daisakan (Junior Eighth Rank Upper), and one Shōsakan (Junior Eighth Rank Lower) for each. There were eight hundred Ōtoneri each, twenty shibu each, and two jikichō each. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) At first, in the first year of Emperor Temmu, an edict said: "Let those who first enter service first become Ōtoneri, and afterward let their abilities be selected and assigned to suitable posts." (Source: Nihon Shoki.) In an edict of the fourteenth year of Enryaku, in the reign of Emperor Kanmu: "From now on the Left and Right Ōtoneri shall be filled from the descendants who hold rank by hereditary privilege (on'i). As for the sons of rank-holders (ishi), it shall depend on their talent; take those of upright appearance and skilled in writing and calculation, and do not carelessly fill the posts with men of the miscellaneous classes or from outside the home provinces." (Source: Ruijū Kokushi, Ruijū Sandai Kyaku.) In the second year of Daidō, in the reign of Emperor Heizei, the number of the Left and Right Ōtoneri was fixed at eight hundred each, following the code. Before this it had been reduced by half. Soon afterward the Uchi-no-warawa (Inner Pages) were taken out of this bureau's subordination, fixed at a hundred each (Source: Nihon Kōki, Ruijū Kokushi), and called the Jōden-no-toneri (Attendants of the Upper Hall). In the second year of Kōnin, in the reign of Emperor Saga, the one hundred and twenty Jōden-no-toneri were restored to their former name of Uchi-no-warawa. (Source: Nihon Kōki.) In the third year, left and right were combined into one, and the Kami, Suke, and others were each reduced in number, only one Shōsakan being added. (Source: Nihon Kōki, Ruijū Kokushi.) In the tenth year of Kōnin, in the reign of Emperor Saga, the Uchi-no-warawa were installed again, and the Ōtoneri were halved and fixed at four hundred. (Source: Ryō no Shūge, Ruijū Sandai Kyaku. Note: the Ruijū Sandai Kyaku gives the eleventh year. Further, the Engishiki mentions four shishō, which were probably installed after the two bureaus were merged. This is provisionally added here.)

¶Zusho-ryō (Bureau of Books). The Kami (Director; one post, Junior Fifth Rank Upper) was in charge of the classics and books, the compilation of the national history, the inner (Buddhist) scriptures and Buddhist images, the worship of the Buddha within the palace, the review of the processes of copying and mounting, and the supply of paper, brushes, and ink. There was one Suke (Senior Sixth Rank Lower), one Daijō (Senior Seventh Rank Lower), one Shōjō (Junior Seventh Rank Upper), one Daisakan (Junior Eighth Rank Upper), and one Shōsakan (Junior Eighth Rank Lower). (Source: Ryō no Gige.) There were five shishō (Source: Engishiki), one ryōshō (bureau steward) (Source: Sandai Jitsuroku; installed in the eighth year of Jōgan), twenty copyists (shoshashu), four mounters (sōkō), four papermakers (zōshishu) (Note: Ruijū Sandai Kyaku: in the third year of Daidō the papermakers, who had been eight, were reduced by three, and the senior officers (chōjō) were reduced to one; in the third year of Kōnin, one was added), ten brushmakers (zōhitsushu) (Note: Ruijū Sandai Kyaku: in the third year of Daidō the brushmakers, who had originally been six, were now halved), four inkmakers (zōbokushu), twenty shibu (Note: the Engishiki gives ten), two jikichō, and the paper households (shiko). (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In later ages a provisional official was installed for the Suke. (Source: Kanshoku Hishō, Shokugenshō.)

¶Kuraryō (Bureau of the Inner Treasury). (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In the time of Emperor Richū, an inner storehouse (uchi-no-kura) was built beside the Great Storehouse (Ōkura) to store official goods. Achi no Omi and Wani, the two men, were made to record its receipts and issues, and from this the Kurabe (storehouse corps) was fixed. (Source: Kogo Shūi.) In the time of Empress Jitō there was already a Kuraryō. (Source: Nihon Shoki.) With the enactment of the Taihō Code, one Kami (Director; Junior Fifth Rank Lower) was installed, in charge of gold, silver, pearls, and jade, precious vessels, brocades and damasks, colored floor coverings, the rare and strange objects presented by the various foreign lands, the yearly supply of the imperial garments, and goods needed under separate rescript. The Suke (one post, Junior Sixth Rank Upper), the Jō (one post, Junior Seventh Rank Upper), the Daisakan (one post, Junior Eighth Rank Lower), the Shōsakan (one post, Senior Great Initial Rank Upper), and the Daishuyaku (two posts, Senior Seventh Rank Upper) and Shōshuyaku (two posts, Senior Eighth Rank Upper) were in charge of the work of receipts and issues. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) There were four shishō (Source: Shoku Nihongi, installed in the first year of Wadō; the Nihon Kōki says that in the fourth year of Daidō two anju (case officers) were added. Note: the Engishiki gives ten, the Iroha Jiruishō eight), two ryōshō (Source: Sandai Jitsuroku; installed in the fourth year of Gangyō), and forty Kurabe. (Note: the Iroha Jiruishō gives twenty.) Two Kachō (price officers) (Note: the Iroha Jiruishō gives four) were in charge of the equalization and sale of the price of goods. The duties of the Kachō of the Ministry of the Treasury (Ōkurashō) and of the Eastern and Western Markets were all the same. Two Tenri (Keepers of Footwear; Senior Eighth Rank Upper) were in charge of sewing boots, shoes, and saddles and of supervising the Kudara-no-tebe (Paekche handcraftsmen). There were ten Kudara-no-tebe (Note: the Iroha Jiruishō gives twenty), who were in charge of various kinds of sewing. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) There were one Teni (Keeper of Leather), six Koma-be (Koguryŏ corps) (Source: Ryō no Shūge), and twenty weavers of brocade, damask, and gauze. (Source: Ruijū Sandai Kyaku. The present work says that the twenty weavers of brocade, damask, and gauze were installed in the fifth year of Jinki and were subordinate to the Kuraryō, and that in the fifteenth year of Engi they were changed to belong to this bureau.) There were twenty shibu (the Engishiki gives ten), two jikichō, and the Kudara households. (Source: Ryō no Gige, Ryō no Shūge. Note: the Ryō no Shūge, citing the Koki, says that the ten Kudara households were in the Left Capital and in Kii, and these were called miscellaneous households (zakko).) In the eighteenth year of Enryaku, in the reign of Emperor Kanmu, four shuyaku were abolished and one Shōsakan was added. In the third year of Daidō, in the reign of Emperor Heizei, the Daijōkan requested that, because the supply of goods to the Emperor by the Kuraryō was heavy, one Shōjō be added. (Source: Nihon Kōki, Ryō no Gige. Note: the various bureaus were divided into great and small; a small bureau was one rank lower than a great bureau and also did not have a Shōjō, and the Kuraryō was exactly such. That a Shōjō was now installed means it was raised to a great bureau. That the Shokugenshō makes the Kami Junior Fifth Rank Upper and the Suke Senior Sixth Rank Lower can be understood from this.) Before this the various posts such as the Tenri, the Kudara-no-tebe, and the Teni were under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Treasury. In the first year of Daidō they were changed to belong to this ministry, and the Tenri, who had been three, were reduced to two at this time. (Source: Ryō no Shūge, Ruijū Sandai Kyaku. Note: the Ryō no Shūge and the Sandai Kyaku both give two Tenri in the first year of Daidō, so the increase to three probably came after the second year. It is left as it is.) In later ages provisional officials were installed for both the Kami and the Suke. (Source: Kanshoku Hishō, Shokugenshō.)

¶Nuidono-ryō (Bureau of Sewing). The Kami (Director; one post, Junior Fifth Rank Lower) was in charge of the rosters and performance evaluation of princesses, the inner and outer myōbu, and palace women, and of sewing and braiding. There was one Suke (Junior Sixth Rank Upper), one Jō (Junior Seventh Rank Upper (Note: the Iroha Jiruishō gives Senior Seventh Rank Lower)), one Daisakan (Junior Eighth Rank Lower (Note: the Iroha Jiruishō gives Junior Eighth Rank Upper)), and one Shōsakan (Senior Great Initial Rank Upper). (Source: Ryō no Gige.) There were four shishō (Source: Engishiki), two Somedokoro (dyeing officers) (Source: Ryō no Shūge, Ruijū Sandai Kyaku; abolished in the second year of Daidō), twenty shibu (Note: the Engishiki gives ten), and two jikichō. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In the eighteenth year of Enryaku, in the reign of Emperor Kanmu, an edict added one Jō and made the bureau equivalent to a great bureau. (Source: Ryō no Shūge, Ruijū Sandai Kyaku. Note: the Shokugenshō makes the Nuidono Kami Junior Fifth Rank Upper and the Suke Senior Sixth Rank Lower. The Iroha Jiruishō makes the Suke Senior Sixth Rank Upper, so its account differs somewhat. But that it was raised to a great bureau is beyond doubt. It is provisionally added here.) In later ages the Suke had provisional officials, and the Jō were divided into senior and junior. (Source: Kanshoku Hishō, Shokugenshō.)

¶On'yō-ryō (Bureau of Yin-Yang). In the time of Emperor Temmu this bureau was already installed. In the time of Empress Jitō there was a Professor of Yin-Yang (On'yō hakase). (Source: Nihon Shoki.) The system of the Taihō Code was also based on this: the Kami (Director; one post, Junior Fifth Rank Lower) was in charge of astronomy, calendrical calculation, calamities and auspicious omens, and good and ill fortune, and of reporting them to the throne. (Source: Ryō no Shūge, Ryō no Gige.) There was one Suke (Junior Sixth Rank Upper), one Jō (Junior Seventh Rank Upper), one Daisakan (Junior Eighth Rank Lower), and one Shōsakan (Senior Great Initial Rank Upper). (Source: Ryō no Gige.) The six On'yōji (Yin-Yang Masters; Junior Seventh Rank Upper) were in charge of divination by milfoil and the reading of land. The one On'yō hakase (Professor of Yin-Yang; Senior Seventh Rank Lower) was in charge of teaching the Yin-Yang students. There were ten On'yōshō (Yin-Yang students). The one Reki hakase (Professor of the Calendar; Junior Seventh Rank Upper) was in charge of making the calendar and of teaching the calendar students. There were ten Rekishō (calendar students). The one Tenmon hakase (Professor of Astronomy; Senior Seventh Rank Lower) was in charge of observing the heavens and the colors of the air, of sealing and reporting any anomaly, and of teaching the astronomy students. There were ten Tenmonshō (astronomy students). The two Rōkoku hakase (Professors of the Water Clock; Junior Seventh Rank Lower) were in charge of leading the Shushinchō (timekeepers) and observing the hours of the water clock. The twenty Shushinchō were in charge of observing the water clock and striking the bell and drum at the proper times. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) There were four shishō (Source: Engishiki. Note: the Nihon Kōki says that in the fourth year of Daidō two shishō were added. However, the Ryō no Gige does not list shishō, which is probably an omission in the text), twenty shibu (Note: the Engishiki gives ten), and two jikichō. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In the time of Emperor Murakami, Kamo no Yasunori became Head of the Bureau of Yin-Yang and concurrently Professor of Astronomy. (Source: Fusō Ryakki.) Yasunori transmitted the way of the calendar to his son Mitsuyoshi and astronomy to Abe no Seimei. From then on the two clans Kamo and Abe came to administer the two ways separately. (Source: Shokugenshō, Teiō Hennenki.) In later ages the Suke had provisional officials, and the Jō were divided into senior and junior. The Professors of Yin-Yang, the Calendar, Astronomy, and the Water Clock also all had provisional officials, and persons of the Fifth Rank were appointed to them. (Source: consult Kanshoku Hishō, Iroha Jiruishō, Shokugenshō.)

¶Takumi-ryō (Bureau of Craftsmen) was an extra-statutory office. (Source: Shokugenshō.) It was installed in the fifth year of Jinki, in the reign of Emperor Shōmu, and was made subordinate to the Nakatsukasashō. (Source: Shoku Nihongi, Ryō no Shūge.) The Kami (Director; one post, Junior Fifth Rank Upper) was in charge of leading the senior carpenters (chōjō) and miscellaneous craftsmen of the Woodworking Office to adorn the imperial seat in the Daigokuden on the day before New Year's Day, and of setting up the Buraku-den, the Shōan-den, the Butoku-den, the Shinsen'en, and other places on the day before the various seasonal banquets. (Source: Engishiki.) There was one Suke (Senior Sixth Rank Lower) (Source: Shokugenshō), one Daijō (Senior Seventh Rank Lower), two Shōjō (Junior Seventh Rank Upper), one Daisakan (Junior Eighth Rank Upper), and two Shōsakan (Junior Eighth Rank Lower). (Source: Shoku Nihongi, Shokugenshō. Note: the present work omits all the ranks, and for now they are supplied following the precedent of the various bureaus. This awaits later examination.) There were eight shishō (Source: Shoku Nihongi; the Nihon Kōki says that in the fourth year of Daidō two were removed. Note: the Engishiki gives seven) and one ryōshō. (Source: Sandai Jitsuroku; installed in the fifth year of Jōgan.) From the shibu downward, the various craftsmen each had a fixed number. (Source: Shoku Nihongi.) In the fifteenth year of Enryaku, in the reign of Emperor Kanmu, twenty weavers of brocade, damask, and gauze were split off and attached to the Kuraryō. In the third year of Daidō, in the reign of Emperor Heizei, an edict said: "Install twenty senior craftsmen (chōjō-kō), treat them as equivalent to the Junior Eighth Rank office, with one hundred craftsmen on rotation and one shibu, and make this a permanent rule." (Source: Ruijū Sandai Kyaku.) In later ages a provisional official was installed for the Suke. But matters of the building and making work of craftsmen later all came under the Mokkō Shurishiki (Office of Woodworking and Repairs), and the Takumi-ryō gradually lost its function. (Source: Kanshoku Hishō, Shokugenshō.)

¶Egushi-no-tsukasa (Office of Painters). The Shō (Chief; one post, Senior Sixth Rank Upper) was in charge of the coloring of paintings and of judging the affairs of the office. At first, in the time of Empress Suiko, the Kifumi painters (Kifumi-no-edakumi) and the Yamashiro painters were fixed, and they probably administered this function. (Source: from Empress Suiko onward, the Nihon Shoki.) There was one Jō (Junior Seventh Rank Lower) and one Reishi (Great Initial Rank Upper). There were four painters (eshi), sixty Ebe (painters' corps), sixteen shibu, and one jikichō. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In the third year of Daidō, in the reign of Emperor Heizei, it was merged into the Takumi-ryō. (Source: Ruijū Kokushi, Ruijū Sandai Kyaku.) In later ages a Painting Office (Edokoro) was installed, with five Bettō (superintendents), and a steward (azukari) of the Kurōdo-dokoro (Chamberlains' Office), and the like. (Source: Shūgaishō.)

¶Uchi-no-kusuri-no-tsukasa (Office of Imperial Medicine). The Shō (Chief; one post, Senior Sixth Rank Upper) was in charge of the supply of medicines and incense and the compounding of the imperial medicines. There was one Jō (Junior Seventh Rank Lower) and one Reishi (Great Initial Rank Upper). The four Jii (Attending Physicians; Senior Sixth Rank Lower) were in charge of diagnosis and the supply of medicines. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) They constantly attended within the palace, and when the Son of Heaven came out to the hall they waited on the lower wooden floor (ko-itajiki) to observe his complexion, so they were called half-ascenders (han-shōden). (Source: Kanshoku Hishō, Shokugenshō. Note: the Iroha Jiruishō gives five Attending Physicians.) There were two shishō (Source: Nihon Kōki; installed in the fourth year of Daidō), ten shibu, and one jikichō. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In the eighth year of Kampyō, in the reign of Emperor Uda, it was merged into the Tenyakuryō (Bureau of Medicine). (Source: Kanshoku Hishō, appendix; Ruijū Sandai Kyaku.)

¶Uchi-no-iya-no-tsukasa (Office of Inner Ceremonial). The Shō (Chief; one post, Senior Sixth Rank Lower) was in charge of ceremonial within the palace and of prohibiting and inspecting wrongdoing. There was one Jō (Senior Eighth Rank Upper) and one Reishi (Great Initial Rank Lower). The six Shurei (ceremonial officers) shared the duty of inspecting wrongdoing. There were six shibu and one jikichō. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In the third year of Daidō, in the reign of Emperor Heizei, it was merged into the Board of Censors (Danjōdai). (Source: Ryō no Shūge, Ruijū Sandai Kyaku.)

¶Shikibushō (Ministry of Ceremonial)

¶The Shikibushō. The Kyō (Minister; one post, Senior Fourth Rank Lower) was in charge of the rosters of civil officials of the capital and the provinces, performance evaluation and selection for appointment, ceremonial, the granting of rank certificates, the review of meritorious service, the judging of merit and the bestowal of rewards, the court attendance of provincial officials and the schools, the selection of tribute candidates by examination, stipends and temporary dispatch, the appointment of household stewards (karei), and the hereditary household lands of meritorious subjects. The bureaus under it were two, called the Daigakuryō (University Bureau) and the Sanniryō (Bureau of Unassigned Rank-Holders). In general the system of performance evaluation was set by the Four Goods (Note: first, renowned for virtue and righteousness; second, conspicuous for purity and caution; third, praiseworthy for impartiality; fourth, diligent in duty and untiring) and the Forty-two Bests. (Source: Ryō no Gige. Note: that the rites of the deities of heaven and earth do not depart from the constant rules is the Best of the Jingikan. That counsel and proposals (opinions and memorials) are reasonable is the Best of the Dainagon. That one receives orders without error and answers readily is the Best of the Shōnagon. That one receives miscellaneous business and disposes of it without delay is the Best of the Controllers (Benkan). That one, as an attendant, returns memorials and implementation meets no obstacle is the Best of the Nakatsukasashō. That one weighs persons, discovers talent, and employs it is the Best of the Shikibushō. That the ordination of monks and nuns accords with the Way and that genealogies are not confused is the Best of the Jibushō (Ministry of Civil Affairs). That households are not concealed and the granaries are full is the Best of the Minbushō (Ministry of Popular Affairs). That one weighs military officers and fills out military preparations is the Best of the Hyōbushō (Ministry of Military Affairs). That decisions are not delayed and rewards and punishments are reasonable is the Best of the Gyōbushō (Ministry of Justice). That one is careful in storage and clear in receipts and issues is the Best of the Ōkurashō (Ministry of the Treasury). That one is able to supply the production of food and spur on the various corps is the Best of the Kunaishō (Ministry of the Imperial Household). That inquiry and inspection are strict and clear and impeachment is apt is the Best of the Danjōdai (Board of Censors). That one promotes the teaching of ritual and prohibits banditry is the Best of the Kyōshiki (Capital Office). That one supervises the preparation of the imperial meals with caution and without fault is the Best of the Shuzen (Imperial Table). That one has a method of leading one's corps and the guarding is without fault is the Best of the Efu (Guards). That the music is well harmonized and does not lose its pitch is the Best of the Gagakuryō (Bureau of Court Music). That one does not trouble monks and nuns and gives lodging to foreign guests is the Best of the Genbaryō (Bureau of Buddhists and Foreigners). That one estimates the state's expenditure and is clear in accounting and inspection is the Best of the Kazue-ryō (Bureau of Accounts). That one is careful in storage and clear in receipts and issues is the Best of the Chikararyō (Bureau of Taxation). That one is practiced in training horses and does not lose stable hands is the Best of the Meryō (Bureau of Horses). That one is careful in airing and clear in receipts and issues is the Best of the Hyōgo (Armory). That one constantly attends morning and evening and gleans omissions and repairs deficiencies is the Best of the Jijū (Chamberlains). That one does not slacken in inspection and receipts and issues are clear is the Best of the Kenmotsu (Treasury Inspectors). That one is diligent in the palace guard and his advancing and withdrawing accord with ritual is the Best of the Uchi-toneri. That the repair of official matters and reports outward are accurate is the fault of those of vice-chief rank and above. That one separates the clear from the muddy and praise and blame are accurate is the Best of the Kōmon (examiners of evaluation). That inquiry is precise and reaches all matters is the Best of the Judges (Hangan). That one is diligent in public duty without slackening and the duties are without lack is the Best of the various officials. That one is diligent in records and does not conceal omissions is the Best of the Secretaries (Sakan). That records are accurate and have both wording and reason is the Best of the Bunshi (scribes). That one is versed in records and does not err in imperial rescripts is the Best of the Naiki (Inner Scribes). That one has a method of instruction and the students master their studies is the Best of the Professors (Hakase). That divination, medicine, and fortune-telling are often effective is the Best of the Hōjutsu (practitioners of the arts). That one calculates the motions of the heavenly bodies and exhausts the principle with precision is the Best of the Calendar Masters (Rekishi). That market dealings are not disordered and no injustice is done is the Best of the Market Offices (Ichi-no-tsukasa). That one examines and gets the facts and the pleading is clear is the Best of the Ukebe (interrogators). That one promotes and practices ritual and fills out military equipment is the Best of the Dazaifu. That one exerts oneself in all matters and purifies one's jurisdiction is the Best of the Provincial Governors (Kokushi). That one assists in the collection of taxes and is impartial and selfless is the Best of the Provincial Jō (Kokujō). That one is practiced in training the frontier guards (sakimori) and fills out their armament is the Best of the Sakimori-no-tsukasa. That policing has a method and travelers are not delayed is the Best of the Barriers and Markets (Sekishi).) By these the conduct, ability, and merits and faults of officials were fixed, and the Nine Grades (Note: one with at least one Best who has all of the Four Goods is Upper-Upper. One with at least one Best who has three Goods, or without a Best but with all four Goods, is Upper-Middle. One with at least one Best who has two Goods, or without a Best but with three Goods, is Upper-Lower. One with at least one Best who has one Good, or without a Best but with two Goods, is Middle-Upper. One with at least one Best, or without a Best but with one Good, is Middle-Middle. One whose duties are in general in order and who is notable for neither Good nor Best is Middle-Lower. One who follows his likes and dislikes at will and whose judgments go against reason is Lower-Upper. One who turns his back on the public good and leans to private interest and lets his duties decay is Lower-Middle. One who in office flatters and deceives and has the reality of greed and corruption is Lower-Lower.) and the Twelve Evaluation Years (Note: the rotation of senior officers (chōjō-kan) of the Initial Rank and above is in every case limited to six evaluation years. If, of the six years, the grade is Middle-Middle, the person advances one step; if the grade is Middle-Upper for each three years, or Upper-Lower for two years, or Upper-Middle for one year, in each case the person advances one step. If one year is Upper-Upper, the person is conferred two steps up. Toneri, shishō, hyōe (guardsmen), tomobe (corps officials), shibu, chōnai (attendants), and shijin (retainers) are all limited to eight evaluation years. If, of the eight years, the grade is Middle, the person advances one step; if four years are Middle and four are Upper, two steps; if all eight years are Upper, he is conferred three steps up. District governors (gunji) and military corps (gundan) are all limited to ten evaluation years. If, of the ten, the grade is Middle, one step; if five are Upper and five Middle, two steps; if all ten are Upper, three steps. Those of the outer unassigned rank (ge-sanni) who serve alternately by turns, up and down, are all limited to twelve evaluation years. If, of the twelve, the grade is Middle, one step; if six are Upper and six Middle, two steps; if all twelve are Upper, three steps.) were used to promote, demote, appoint, and dismiss. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In general all the codes and regulations of the state were administered by this ministry. (Source: Shokugenshō.) As for those who lost decorum in court, a Shōroku (Junior Recorder) was sent to instruct and correct those of the Third Rank and below, a shishō was sent to instruct and correct those of the Fourth Rank, those of the Fifth Rank were instructed and set right according to the circumstances, and those who lost decorum at the Board of Censors were likewise instructed and admonished. (Source: Ryō no Shūge, Engishiki.) The system of tribute candidates selected men by four subjects: Shūsai (Outstanding Talent), Myōgyō (Classics), Shinshi (Presented Scholar), and Myōhō (Law). The Taifu (Senior Vice-Minister; one post, Senior Fifth Rank Lower), the Shōfu (Junior Vice-Minister; one post, Junior Fifth Rank Lower), the Daijō (Senior Secretaries; two posts, Senior Sixth Rank Lower), and the Shōjō (Junior Secretaries; two posts, Junior Sixth Rank Upper) were all in charge of interrogation and performance evaluation, and in other respects were the same as the Daijō of the Jingikan. There was one Dairoku (Senior Recorder; Senior Seventh Rank Upper) and three Shōroku (Junior Recorders; Senior Eighth Rank Upper). (Source: Ryō no Gige.) There were twenty shosei (clerks) (Source: Ruijū Kokushi, Ruijū Sandai Kyaku; in the third year of Kōnin the number of shosei was fixed at thirty, and the next year ten were split off and attached to the Ministry of Military Affairs), twenty shishō (Note: having examined the Ruijū Sandai Kyaku, the shishō were originally sixteen and four were added in the fourth year of Daidō. That the present work now says twenty was probably altered by a later person according to the Daidō system. Such cases often occur in the text of the code, and those that can be examined are noted under each entry), two shōshō (ministry stewards) (Note: in the Shoku Nihongi, in the eleventh month of the second year of Jingo-keiun, many of those who had received appointments did not come to serve, and the shōshō answered "yes" in their place. Therefore the shōshō of the Shikibushō and the Hyōbushō were for the first time permitted to carry the shaku (ceremonial tablet). In the Ruijū Kokushi, in the first year of Daidō, the shōshō of the six ministries were all permitted to carry the shaku on the model of the two ministries (Shikibushō and Hyōbushō). The Engishiki also lists two Fushōshō (assistant stewards) of the Shikibushō), eighty shibu (Note: the Engishiki gives thirty), and five jikichō. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In the third year of Keiun, in the reign of Emperor Monmu, an edict said: "Under the code the rotation of the various senior officers is limited to six evaluation years, but all other posts add two years to be limited to twelve, and the period of selection is too long. It is proper to reduce each class of post by two evaluation years." In the sixth year of Wadō, in the reign of Empress Genmei, a regulation said: "The Shikibushō weighs persons and promotes or demotes the better and the worse; its charge is weightier than that of the other ministries. When merit is to be discussed, such matters must not be deliberated without the minister." (Source: Shoku Nihongi.) In later ages provisional officials were installed for both the Taifu and the Shōfu. (Source: Kanshoku Hishō, Shokugenshō.)

¶Daigakuryō (University Bureau). At first, in the time of Emperor Keitai, Professors of the Five Classics were invited from Paekche and sent to serve by rotation. By the time of Emperor Kōtoku there were Provincial Professors (kuni hakase). Emperor Tenji installed the Gakushoku-no-kami (Head of Learning). By the courts of Emperors Temmu and Jitō there were the Daigakuryō and posts such as Professor of the University, Professor of Pronunciation, and Professor of Calligraphy. (Source: Nihon Shoki.) The system of the Taihō Code probably followed this. The Kami (Director; one post, Junior Fifth Rank Upper) was in charge of the examination of students and of the Sekiten (rite in honor of Confucius). In general the academic officials established nine classics to teach the students. The Book of Changes, the Book of Documents, the Rites of Zhou, the Ceremonial, the Record of Rites, the Book of Songs, and the Spring and Autumn Annals with the Zuo Commentary were each one classic, and the Classic of Filial Piety and the Analects were studied together with them. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In the seventeenth year of Enryaku, in the reign of Emperor Kanmu, the Gongyang and Guliang commentaries on the Spring and Autumn Annals were established, each as one classic, and taught to the students. (Source: Ryō no Shūge.) At year's end, the grade of evaluation was fixed according to how much the Professors and Assistant Professors had taught. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) Kiden (Chronicles and Biographies), Myōgyō (Classics), Myōhō (Law), and San (Mathematics) are called the Four Ways. (Source: Shokugenshō.) There was one Suke (Senior Sixth Rank Lower), one Daijō (Senior Seventh Rank Lower), one Shōjō (Junior Seventh Rank Upper), one Daisakan (Junior Eighth Rank Upper), and one Shōsakan (Junior Eighth Rank Lower). (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In later ages a provisional official was installed for the Suke. (Source: Kanshoku Hishō, Shokugenshō.) The University also had a Bettō (Superintendent), a post that by custom was held by the Shikibu Shōfu (Junior Vice-Minister of Ceremonial). (Source: Engishiki.) From the reigns of Emperors Daigo and Suzaku onward, imperial princes and ministers were constantly appointed to it. By the time of Emperor Go-Daigo it had already fallen into disuse, and there were also Bettō of the Gakkan-in, the Shōgaku-in, and the Junna-in. (Source: Shokugenshō.) The Gakkan-in was founded by Empress Tachibana of Emperor Saga, in consultation with her younger brother, the Udaijin Ujikimi, to teach the sons and younger brothers of the Tachibana clan. (Source: Montoku Jitsuroku.) The Shōgaku-in was founded by Ariwara no Ason Yukihira. (Source: Nihon Kiryaku.) The Junna-in was originally a detached palace of Emperor Junna and taught the sons of princes and the sons and younger brothers of the Minamoto. (Source: Shūgaishō.) Each of the three institutions had a Bettō installed. The Gakkan-in's was held by the Tachibana clan, and for both the Shōgaku-in and the Junna-in it was held by the foremost senior noble of the Minamoto clan. (Source: Shokugenshō.) In the time of Emperor Daigo the Shōgaku-in was made the Southern Office (Nansō) of the University. (Source: Nihon Kiryaku.) In the time of Emperor Murakami, Tachibana no Yoshifuru requested that the Gakkan-in be made subordinate to the University as a separate office (bessō). (Source: Nihon Kiryaku, Saikyūki.) The Junna-in later declined, but the post of Bettō survived in name only. (Source: Shūgaishō.) In the time of Emperor Toba, after the Udaijin Minamoto no Masasada concurrently held the Bettō of both the Junna-in and the Shōgaku-in and the headship of the Minamoto clan (Genji chōja), the Koga family held it hereditarily, and other clans could not take part in it. (Source: Shokugenshō.) In the third year of Kōwa, after Emperor Go-Komatsu made Ashikaga Yoshimitsu Bettō of the two institutions and head of the Minamoto clan, the post of Bettō passed to the Ashikaga, but it survived in name only. (Source: Kugyō Bunin, Ashikaga-ke Den.)

¶The Hakase (Professor; one post, Senior Sixth Rank Lower) was in charge of teaching the classical studies and examining the students (Source: Ryō no Gige. Note: the Iroha Jiruishō gives Professor of the Classics (Myōgyō hakase)), which is the Way of the Classics (Myōgyōdō). (Source: Shokugenshō.) The two Jokyō (Assistant Professors; Senior Seventh Rank Lower) had the same duties as the Professor. (Note: the Shokugenshō says that in recent times the Professor rose to the Fifth Rank and the Assistant Professor to the Sixth Rank.) There were four Tokugōshō (graduates of distinction) (Source: Ryō no Shūge, Iroha Jiruishō) and four hundred students. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In later ages the Kiyohara and Nakahara clans administered the post of the Classics. (Source: Shokugenshō.)

¶The two On-hakase (Professors of Pronunciation; Junior Seventh Rank Upper (Note: the Shokugenshō says that in later ages all rose to the Fifth Rank, and the same for the Professors of Calligraphy)) were in charge of teaching pronunciation (of Chinese characters). (Source: Ryō no Gige.) There were On-shō (students of pronunciation). (Source: Iroha Jiruishō.)

¶The two Sho-hakase (Professors of Calligraphy; Junior Seventh Rank Upper) were in charge of teaching calligraphy. (Source: Ryō no Gige.)

¶The two San-hakase (Professors of Mathematics; Junior Seventh Rank Upper (Source: Ruijū Sandai Kyaku says that in the thirteenth year of Jōgan they rose to Senior Seventh Rank Lower)) were in charge of teaching the students of mathematics, taking as one classic each the following: Calculation, Sunzi, the Five Departments, the Nine Chapters, the Sea Island, the Six Chapters, the Continued Method, the Three Openings and Repeated Differences, the Zhoubi, and the Nine Offices. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) There were two Tokugōshō (Source: Iroha Jiruishō), thirty students of mathematics (Source: Ryō no Gige. Note: the Ryō no Shūge says that in the first year of Tenpyō-shōhō they were reduced to twenty), eight shishō (Source: Engishiki), twenty shibu (Note: the Engishiki gives ten), and two jikichō. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In later ages the Miyoshi and Ozuki clans administered the post. The Miyoshi clan took charge of the art of calculation, and the Ozuki clan took charge of accounting and the tribute and levies of the provinces. (Source: Kanshoku Hishō, Shokugenshō.)

¶The Monjō-hakase (Professor of Letters; one post) was an extra-statutory office, and the time of its installation is not known. (Note: having examined the Shoku Nihongi, in the fifth year of Yōrō there were four Professors of Letters, including Yamada no Mikata of the Junior Fifth Rank Upper. In the first year of Taihō, Professors of Law were sent to the six circuits to lecture on the new code. So at that time these two offices already existed, yet why they are not listed in the code is not known.) In the second year of Tenpyō, in the reign of Emperor Shōmu, it was fixed at Senior Seventh Rank Lower. In the twelfth year of Kōnin, in the reign of Emperor Saga, it was raised to Junior Fifth Rank Lower. (Source: Ruijū Sandai Kyaku.) In the third year of Daidō, in the reign of Emperor Heizei, the Kiden-hakase (Professor of Chronicles and Biographies) was installed. (Source: Kakai-shō, citing the text of a regulation.) In the first year of Jōwa, in the reign of Emperor Ninmyō, an edict abolished the Kiden-hakase and newly installed one Monjō-hakase. (Source: Ruijū Kokushi, Nihon Kiryaku.) From then on the Monjō-hakase administered the Way of Chronicles and Biographies. (Source: Shokugenshō. Note: having examined the Chūyūki, the Gōke Shidai, and the Sakeiki, after Jōwa there were still Kiden-hakase, who stood alongside the Monjō-hakase. That the Shokugenshō lacks them is probably because the two ways were confused and became one.) There were two Monjō Tokugōshō (graduates of distinction in letters) (Source: Ryō no Shūge) and twenty Monjōshō (students of letters). (Source: Ruijū Sandai Kyaku, Ryō no Shūge.) At first, by the regulation of the second year of Tenpyō, students of letters were selected from miscellaneous functionaries and commoners (hakutei). In the eleventh year of Kōnin, selection was changed to fill the posts with sons and younger brothers of good families who excelled in poetry and rhapsodies. Those whose studies advanced were re-examined by the Shikibushō and called Shunshi (Talented Scholars). Among the Shunshi, those especially outstanding were made Shūsai (Outstanding Talents), and five Shunshi and two Shūsai were installed. In the fourth year of Tenchō, in the reign of Emperor Junna, because holding the examinations was inconvenient, the Shunshi were abolished and the former Tokugōshō restored. (Source: Honchō Monzui. Note: the Iroha Jiruishō says that two Professors of Letters were called Shūsai, and the two Monjō Tokugōshō and eighteen Monjōshō were called Shinshi.)

¶The two Myōhō-hakase (Professors of Law; Senior Seventh Rank Lower; an extra-statutory office) (Note: this is what the Ryō no Shūge and the Ruijū Sandai Kyaku call the Professor of Legal Studies (Ritsugaku hakase)) were installed in the fifth year of Jinki, in the reign of Emperor Shōmu. (Source: Ryō no Shūge, Ruijū Sandai Kyaku, Shokugenshō. Note: both the Shūge and the Sandai Kyaku say it was installed in the fifth year of Jinki, and for now this is followed. But that there were already Professors of Law in the first year of Taihō has been stated above.) There were two Myōhō Tokugōshō (Source: Iroha Jiruishō) and ten students of law. In the year of Empress Kōken's accession, they were increased to twenty. (Source: Ryō no Shūge, Iroha Jiruishō.) In later ages the Sakanoue and Nakahara clans held the post of law generation after generation. (Source: Shokugenshō.)

¶The three Jikikō (Lecturers-in-Ordinary; Senior Seventh Rank Lower (Source: Ryō no Shūge. Note: the present work gives four Jikikō in the second year of Tenpyō, one of whom concurrently served as Professor of Letters; from this the Jikikō probably served concurrently as Professor of Letters. Further, the Shokugenshō says that in recent times the Jikikō rose to an office of the Sixth Rank)) were an extra-statutory office. In the third year of Daidō, in the reign of Emperor Heizei, one Jikikō-hakase was removed, the Kiden-hakase was installed, and its rank was made the same as that of the Jikikō. (Source: Ruijū Kokushi, Ryō no Shūge. Note: the Iroha Jiruishō says that in the fourth year of Shōryaku, in the reign of Emperor Ichijō, ten Monsha-shō (questioning students) were first installed.)

¶Sanniryō (Bureau of Unassigned Rank-Holders). The Kami (Director; one post, Junior Fifth Rank Lower) was in charge of the rosters of unassigned civil and military rank-holders and of their court attendance. There was one Suke (Junior Sixth Rank Upper), one Jō (Junior Seventh Rank Upper), one Daisakan (Junior Eighth Rank Lower), and one Shōsakan (Senior Great Initial Rank Upper). There were six shishō (Source: the Nihon Kōki says that in the fourth year of Daidō two shishō were removed), twenty shibu, and two jikichō. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In the eighth year of Kampyō, in the reign of Emperor Uda, it was merged into the Shikibushō. (Source: Kanshoku Hishō, Ruijū Sandai Kyaku.)

¶Jibushō (Ministry of Civil Affairs)

¶The Jibushō (Note: having examined the Nihon Shoki, in the time of Emperor Temmu there was a Office of Judgment (Ri-no-tsukasa), which was probably this post): the Kyō (Minister; one post, Senior Fourth Rank Lower) was in charge of original surnames, succession, marriage, auspicious omens, mourning and burial, funeral gifts, the anniversaries of deceased sovereigns and the taboo personal names of emperors, and the court visits and missions of the various foreign lands. The bureaus under it were two, called the Gagakuryō (Bureau of Court Music) and the Genbaryō (Bureau of Buddhists and Foreigners). There were two offices (tsukasa), called the Shoryōshi (Office of Imperial Tombs) and the Sōgishi (Office of Funerals). In general, among subjects of the Third Rank and above, the legitimate son in every case continues the house. If there is no legitimate son, or he is guilty of a crime or ill, the legitimate grandson, or an illegitimate son or illegitimate grandson, is established. For the Fourth Rank and below, only the legitimate son is established. For succession among those of the Fifth Rank and above, a written statement must always be awaited, the facts verified, and then reported to the office. For the mourning of the grandparents, parents, and wife of a capital official of the Third Rank or above, the mourning of the parents of one of the Fourth Rank, and the mourning of the person himself of the Fifth Rank, all are reported to the throne and an envoy is sent to condole. For the funeral of an imperial prince, the Daijō-daijin, or a holder of an unassigned First Rank, the Taifu is made to escort it. For the Sadaijin and Udaijin and holders of an unassigned Second Rank, the Shōfu; for the Third Rank, a Jō is made to attend, and in every case the Haji clan assists with the ritual regulations. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) When foreign guests came to court, a Ryōkyakushi (Escort of Guests), Shōkyaku (Reception Officer), Kyōshoku (Dining Companion), and the like were dispatched and made to take charge of matters on the road, in the capital, and at banquets. (Source: Engishiki.) There was one Taifu (Senior Fifth Rank Lower), one Shōfu (Junior Fifth Rank Lower), two Daijō (Senior Sixth Rank Lower), two Shōjō (Junior Sixth Rank Upper), one Dairoku (Senior Seventh Rank Upper), and three Shōroku (Senior Eighth Rank Upper). (Note: the Ruijū Sandai Kyaku says that one Shōroku was removed, but the year and month are missing, and there is now no way to examine it.) There were ten shishō and ten shosei (Source: for the shosei and below, according to the Ruijū Sandai Kyaku, in the second year of Jōwa ten miscellaneous students (zasshikishō) of the Gagakuryō were split off and assigned to this), four Daigebe (Senior Interrogators; Senior Eighth Rank Lower) and six Shōgebe (Junior Interrogators; Junior Eighth Rank Lower), who were in charge of hearing lawsuits over genealogies and fixing the order of surnames and clans. There were two shōshō (Note: the Engishiki lists two Fushōshō), sixty shibu (Note: the Engishiki gives twenty), and four jikichō. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In the eighteenth year of Enryaku, in the reign of Emperor Kanmu, four Gebe were removed. (Source: Nihon Kōki.) Afterward they were abolished. (Note: considering that the Gebe of the Ministry of Justice were abolished in the third year of Daidō, the abolition of this ministry's Gebe was probably also at this time.) In later ages provisional officials were installed for both the Taifu and the Shōfu. (Source: Kanshoku Hishō, Shokugenshō.)

¶Gagakuryō (Bureau of Court Music). The Kami (Director; one post, Junior Fifth Rank Upper) was in charge of the civil and military court songs and regular dances, the rosters of male and female musicians and vocalists of the various kinds of music, and the degree of the pieces and their examination. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In general, at seasonal banquets, rites for the deities, the Sekiten, feasts, Buddhist assemblies, and the like, the subordinate officials of the bureau led the musicians to perform the duties. (Source: Engishiki.) There was one Suke (Senior Sixth Rank Lower), one Daijō (Senior Seventh Rank Lower), one Shōjō (Junior Seventh Rank Upper), one Daisakan (Junior Eighth Rank Upper), and one Shōsakan (Junior Eighth Rank Lower). (Source: Ryō no Gige.) There were four shishō (Source: Engishiki. Note: the Nihon Kōki says that in the fourth year of Daidō one shishō was removed; the Ryō no Gige does not list shishō). Four singing masters (Junior Eighth Rank Lower), of whom two were in charge of teaching male and female singers: thirty male singers and one hundred female singers; the other two were in charge of selecting, as occasion required, those with fine voices and teaching them. In general the ranks of all the masters of court music were equal to those of the music masters (gakushi). There were four dance masters, in charge of teaching the various dances; one hundred dance students; and two flute masters, in charge of teaching the various flutes (Note: there is a lacuna in the present work after "two." Judging from the surrounding examples there must have been words such as "in charge of teaching the various flutes," so they are supplied here); six flute students and eight flute craftsmen (Note: the present work says that the flute craftsmen were those who played the flute to accompany the music on the occasion). There were twelve masters of Tang music (Tōgaku), in charge of teaching the music students; sixty music students; and four masters each of Koma (Koguryŏ), Kudara (Paekche), and Shiragi (Silla) music; twenty music students each; one master of Gigaku (masked dance-drama); and two masters of the waist drum, with the waist-drum students and Gigaku students all selected from the music households to fill the posts. There were twenty shibu (Note: the Engishiki gives ten; the Iroha Jiruishō further lists two ryōshō), two jikichō, and the music households (gakko). (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In the third year of Tenpyō, in the reign of Emperor Shōmu, the numbers of the various music students were revised and fixed at thirty-nine students of Tang music, twenty-six of Kudara music, eight of Koma music, four of Shiragi music, sixty-two of Tora music, eight of the Morokata dances, and thirty of the Tsukushi dances. (Source: Shoku Nihongi.) In the twenty-first year of Enryaku, in the reign of Emperor Kanmu, two singing masters were removed. (Source: Ruijū Kokushi.) In the twenty-fourth year, thirty female singers were removed. (Note: the present work says that the female singers were fifty, or thirty. According to the code the female singers were one hundred, but when they were reduced to fifty is not known. It was probably in the Enryaku era. The official history is missing, and it cannot now be examined.) In the fourth year of Daidō, in the reign of Emperor Heizei, the numbers of the music masters, singing masters, dance masters, flute masters, Tang music masters, and the masters of Koma, Kudara, Shiragi, and Tora music were revised and fixed, but all were left as before. (Note: both the Ruijū Sandai Kyaku and the Ryō no Shūge say that the two Tora music masters were left as before. From this the code must have had Tora music masters, and their absence from the present text is probably an omission. For the Shiragi music master, the Nihon Kōki and the Ruijū Kokushi both give two, which is an error. The national history further lists two masters of the transverse flute, which are probably an interpolation and so are not recorded.) Two masters of Rinyū (Champa) music were installed and one master of Gigaku added, and all the rest were abolished. (Source: Nihon Kōki, Ruijū Kokushi, Ruijū Sandai Kyaku, Ryō no Shūge.) In the tenth year of Kōnin, in the reign of Emperor Saga, the numbers of the music masters were again revised and fixed: four dance masters and two Shiragi music masters. (Source: Ruijū Sandai Kyaku, Ryō no Shūge.) In the first year of Kashō, in the reign of Emperor Ninmyō, the numbers of the various miscellaneous students of court music were reduced and fixed: thirty-five students of Yamato music (Note: the original number was one hundred and thirty-four), thirty-six of Tang music, eighteen of Koma, seven of Kudara, and four of Shiragi, one hundred in all, reduced from the original one hundred and fifty-four. In the autumn of the second year of Saikō, in the reign of Emperor Montoku, one master of the Gosechi dance was removed and a master of the Koma drum installed. In winter the master of the Shiragi dance was discontinued and a master of the Gosechi dance installed. (Source: Ruijū Sandai Kyaku.) In later ages a provisional official was installed for the Suke. (Source: Kanshoku Hishō, Shokugenshō.) There was also the Gakusho (Music Office), installed in the second year of Tenryaku in the reign of Emperor Murakami (Source: Nihon Kiryaku), and persons among the senior nobles versed in music were made its Bettō. (Source: Shokugenshō.)

¶Genbaryō (Bureau of Buddhists and Foreigners). The Kami (Director; one post, Junior Fifth Rank Upper) was in charge of the name registers of Buddhist temples and of monks and nuns, the audiences and farewells of foreign guests and the escort of their banquets, and the lodgings of barbarians resident in the capital. There was one Suke (Senior Sixth Rank Lower), one Daijō (Senior Seventh Rank Lower), one Shōjō (Junior Seventh Rank Upper), one Daisakan (Junior Eighth Rank Upper), one Shōsakan (Junior Eighth Rank Lower), and four shishō. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) There was one ryōshō (Source: Sandai Jitsuroku; installed in the sixth year of Jōgan), twenty shibu (Note: the Engishiki gives ten), and two jikichō. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In later ages a provisional official was installed for the Suke. (Source: Kanshoku Hishō, Shokugenshō.)

¶Shoryōshi (Office of Imperial Tombs). The Shō (Chief; one post, Senior Sixth Rank Upper) was in charge of the rites at tombs and mausolea, the ill-omened rites of mourning and burial, and the name registers of the various tombs and of the tomb households (ryōko). In general, tomb households were installed at imperial tombs to guard them, and those who were not tomb households were rotated every ten years. (Note: the so-called guard households and guard attendants of the Engishiki are exactly this.) Within the tomb precincts, burial, cultivation, grazing, and wood-gathering were prohibited. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) As for the tombs under its jurisdiction, in the time of Emperor Daigo there were three tombs of the Age of the Gods, seventy-three tombs of emperors and empresses, and forty-seven tombs of imperial princes and princesses and of noble relatives, and every year in the twelfth month offerings of cloth were presented to the various tombs. (Source: Engishiki.) There was one Jō (Junior Seventh Rank Lower), one Reishi, and ten Haji (potters' corps), who were in charge of assisting in the ill-omened rites and who, as supernumeraries, were selected and assigned as occasion required. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In general funerals and burials, in remote antiquity, were administered by the Haji no Omi. (Source: Nihon Shoki.) Among the Haji clan, the senior and highest in rank were made Ōmuraji, the next Ominomuraji, both wearing purple robes and carrying swords, and they conducted the ill-omened ceremonies generation after generation. After Taihō the members of that clan were made to belong to this office and still administered the old duties. (Source: Ryō no Gige. Note: having examined the Ruijū Sandai Kyaku, in the sixteenth year of Enryaku the conduct of the ill-omened rites by the Haji no Sukune was discontinued.) There were ten shibu and one jikichō. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In the first year of Tenpyō, in the reign of Emperor Shōmu, the office was raised to a bureau, with a Kami, Suke, senior and junior Jō, and senior and junior Sakan installed, in every case the same as the other great bureaus. (Source: Shoku Nihongi, Shūgaishō, Iroha Jiruishō. Note: the Jiruishō makes the Daijō Senior Seventh Rank Upper.) There were four shishō (Source: Ruijū Kokushi, Engishiki. Note: the national history says they were installed in the twenty-first year of Enryaku), shibu as before, and four jikichō. (Source: Iroha Jiruishō.) In later ages a provisional official was installed for the Suke. (Source: Kanshoku Hishō, Shokugenshō.)

¶Sōgishi (Office of Funerals). The Shō (Chief; one post, Senior Sixth Rank Lower) was in charge of the ceremonies for ill-omened events and the implements for mourning and burial. In general, for the mourning of those of the Third Rank and above, the order of the procession with gold gongs, cymbal drums, shields, poles, large horns, and small horns, and for the mourning of those of the Fifth Rank and above the lending out of hearse implements, curtains, and the like, were all handled in their orders by this office. (Source: Ryō no Gige. Consult Ryō no Shūge.) There was one Jō (Senior Eighth Rank Upper) and one Reishi (Great Initial Rank Lower). There were six shibu and one jikichō. (Source: Ryō no Gige.) In the third year of Daidō, in the reign of Emperor Heizei, it was merged into the Kobuki-no-tsukasa (Office of Drums and Pipes). (Source: Ryō no Shūge, Ruijū Sandai Kyaku.)