The Ministry of the Center (中務省, Nakatsukasa-shō) (lit. the department of the inner (or privy) affairs) 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.
Premodern Japan | |
---|---|
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 |
War | Hyōbu-shō |
Justice | Gyōbu-shō |
Treasury | Ōkura-shō |
Imperial Household | Kunai-shō |
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]
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:
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):