Dainagon
Encyclopedia
was a counselor of the first rank in the Imperial court of Japan. The role dates from the 7th century.
This advisory position remained a part of the Imperial court from the 8th century until the Meiji period
in the 19th century.
The post was created in 702
by the Taihō Code
, and evolved out of the earlier post Oimonomōsu-tsukasa. Holders of the office were of the Senior Third Rank. They assisted the Minister of the Left (the Sadaijin
) and the Minister of the Right (the Udaijin
).
By the mid-17th century, the Dainagon counselor or state, was expected to work closely the Minister of the Center (the Naidaijin), whose position ranked just below the Udaijin and the Sadaijin. This court position evolved to ensure that someone will be always prepared to replace or assist the main court officials if, for any reason, it should be impossible for one of the two senior counselors to devote himself to his duties and responsibilities in all matters.
The Dainagon ranked just above all other kuge
in the kugyō
except the Daijō-daijin, Udaijin, Sadaijin, and Naidaijin.
This ancient office would have been roughly equivalent to that of vice-minister in the modern cabinet system. It was abolished in 1871.
reached its nadir during the years of the Tokugawa shogunate
, and yet the core structures of ritsuryō
government did manage to endure for centuries.
In order to appreciate the office of Dainagon, it is necessary to evaluate its role in the traditional Japanese context of a durable yet flexible framework. In this bureaucratic network and a hierarchy of functionaries, the Dainagon functioned like mouthpieces to and from the board, and in consultation with the board.
The role of Dainagon was an important element in the Daijō-kan (Council of State). The Daijō-kan schema proved to be adaptable in the creation of constitutional government in the modern period.
The next highest tier of officials were:
Other high ranking bureaucrats who function somewhat flexibly within the Daijō-kan were;
The specific ministries above are not grouped arbitrarily. The two court officials below had responsibility for them as follows: This administrator was charged or tasked with supervising four ministries: Center, Civil Services
, Ceremonies
, and Taxation
. This administrator was charged or tasked with supervising four ministries: Military
, Justice
, Treasury
and Imperial Household.
This advisory position remained a part of the Imperial court from the 8th century until the Meiji period
Meiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
in the 19th century.
The post was created in 702
702
Year 702 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 702 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* Franconian Duke Hetan II completes the...
by the Taihō Code
Taiho Code
The was an administrative reorganization enacted in 701 in Japan, at the end of the Asuka period. It was historically one of the . It was compiled at the direction of Prince Osakabe, Fujiwara no Fuhito and Awata no Mahito...
, and evolved out of the earlier post Oimonomōsu-tsukasa. Holders of the office were of the Senior Third Rank. They assisted the Minister of the Left (the Sadaijin
Sadaijin
, most commonly translated as "Minister of the Left", was a government position in Japan in the late Nara and Heian periods. The position was consolidated in the Taihō Code of 702. The Asuka Kiyomihara Code of 689 marks the initial appearance of the Sadaijin in the context of a central...
) and the Minister of the Right (the Udaijin
Udaijin
Udaijin , most commonly translated as the "Minister of the Right", was a government position in Japan in the late Nara and Heian periods. The position was consolidated in the Taihō Code of 702. The Asuka Kiyomihara Code of 689 marks the initial appearance of the Udaijin in the context of a central...
).
By the mid-17th century, the Dainagon counselor or state, was expected to work closely the Minister of the Center (the Naidaijin), whose position ranked just below the Udaijin and the Sadaijin. This court position evolved to ensure that someone will be always prepared to replace or assist the main court officials if, for any reason, it should be impossible for one of the two senior counselors to devote himself to his duties and responsibilities in all matters.
The Dainagon ranked just above all other kuge
Kuge
The was a Japanese aristocratic class that dominated the Japanese imperial court in Kyoto until the rise of the Shogunate in the 12th century at which point it was eclipsed by the daimyo...
in the kugyō
Kugyo
is the collective term for the very few most powerful men attached to the court of the Emperor of Japan in pre-Meiji eras. The kugyō was broadly divided into two groups: the , comprising the Chancellor of the Realm, the Minister of the Left, and the Minister of the Right; and the , comprising the...
except the Daijō-daijin, Udaijin, Sadaijin, and Naidaijin.
This ancient office would have been roughly equivalent to that of vice-minister in the modern cabinet system. It was abolished in 1871.
Dainagon in context
Any exercise of meaningful powers of court officials in the pre-Meiji periodMeiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
reached its nadir during the years of the Tokugawa shogunate
Tokugawa shogunate
The Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the and the , was a feudal regime of Japan established by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family. This period is known as the Edo period and gets its name from the capital city, Edo, which is now called Tokyo, after the name was...
, and yet the core structures of ritsuryō
Ritsuryo
is the historical law system based on the philosophies of Confucianism and Chinese Legalism in Japan. The political system in accord to Ritsuryō is called "Ritsuryō-sei"...
government did manage to endure for centuries.
In order to appreciate the office of Dainagon, it is necessary to evaluate its role in the traditional Japanese context of a durable yet flexible framework. In this bureaucratic network and a hierarchy of functionaries, the Dainagon functioned like mouthpieces to and from the board, and in consultation with the board.
The role of Dainagon was an important element in the Daijō-kan (Council of State). The Daijō-kan schema proved to be adaptable in the creation of constitutional government in the modern period.
Highest Daijō-kan officials
The highest positions in the court hierarchy can be cataloged. A dry list provides a superficial glimpse inside the complexity and inter-connected relationships of the Imperial court structure.- Daijō daijin (Chancellor of the Realm or Chief Minister).
- SadaijinSadaijin, most commonly translated as "Minister of the Left", was a government position in Japan in the late Nara and Heian periods. The position was consolidated in the Taihō Code of 702. The Asuka Kiyomihara Code of 689 marks the initial appearance of the Sadaijin in the context of a central...
(Minister of the Left). - UdaijinUdaijinUdaijin , most commonly translated as the "Minister of the Right", was a government position in Japan in the late Nara and Heian periods. The position was consolidated in the Taihō Code of 702. The Asuka Kiyomihara Code of 689 marks the initial appearance of the Udaijin in the context of a central...
(Minister of the Right). - Naidaijin (Minister of the Center).
The next highest tier of officials were:
- Dainagon (Major counselor). There are commonly three Dainagon; sometimes more.
- ChūnagonChunagonwas a counselor of the second rank in the Imperial court of Japan. The role dates from the 7th century.The role was eliminated from the Imperial hierarchy in 701, but it was re-established in 705...
(Middle counselor). - ShōnagonShōnagonShōnagon was a counselor of the third rank in the Imperial court of Japan. The role dates from the 7th century.This advisory position remained a part of the Imperial court of Japan from the 8th century until the Meiji period in the 19th century....
(Minor counselor); there are commonly three Shōnagon.
Other high ranking bureaucrats who function somewhat flexibly within the Daijō-kan were;
- SangiSangi (Japan)was an associate counselor in the Imperial court of Japan from the 8th century until the Meiji period in the 19th century.This was a position in the daijō-kan, or early feudal Japanese government...
(Associate counselor). This office functions as a manager of Daijō-kan activities within the palace. (Secretariat). These are specifically named men who act at the sole discretion of the emperor.
The Eight Ministries
The government ministries were eight semi-independent bureaucracies. A list alone cannot reveal much about the actual functioning of the Daijō-kan, but the broad hierarchical categories do suggest the way in which governmental functions were parsed:
|
|
The specific ministries above are not grouped arbitrarily. The two court officials below had responsibility for them as follows: This administrator was charged or tasked with supervising four ministries: Center, Civil Services
Ministry of Civil Services (Ritsuryō)
The was a division of the eighth century Japanese government of the Imperial Court in Kyoto, instituted in the Asuka period and formalized during the Heian period...
, Ceremonies
Ministry of Ceremonies (Ritsuryō)
The was a division of the eighth century Japanese government of the Imperial Court in Kyoto), and it is sometimes identified as the "Ministry of the Interior"....
, and Taxation
Ministry of Taxation (Ritsuryō)
The was a division of the eighth century Japanese government of the Imperial Court in Kyoto, instituted in the Asuka period and formalized during the Heian period. The Ministry was replaced in the Meiji period.-Overview:...
. This administrator was charged or tasked with supervising four ministries: Military
Ministry of the Military (Ritsuryō)
The , also known as Ministry of War and sometimes called Tsuwamono no Tsukasa, was a division of the eighth century Japanese government of the Imperial Court in Kyoto, instituted in the Asuka period and formalized during the Heian period...
, Justice
Ministry of Justice (Ritsuryō)
The was a division of the eighth century Japanese government of the Imperial Court in Kyoto, instituted in the Asuka period and formalized during the Heian period. The Ministry was replaced in the Meiji period.-Overview:...
, Treasury
Ministry of the Treasury (Ritsuryō)
The was a division of the eighth century Japanese government of the Imperial Court in Kyoto, instituted in the Asuka period and formalized during the Heian period. The Ministry was replaced in the Meiji period. -Overview:...
and Imperial Household.
See also
- Daijō-kan
- Sessho and KampakuSessho and KampakuIn Japan, was a title given to a regent who was named to assist either a child emperor before his coming of age, or an empress. The was theoretically a sort of chief advisor for the emperor, but was the title of both first secretary and regent who assists an adult emperor. During the Heian era,...
- KōkyūKokyuThe is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow. Although it was introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape, and sound are unique to Japan...
- KugeKugeThe was a Japanese aristocratic class that dominated the Japanese imperial court in Kyoto until the rise of the Shogunate in the 12th century at which point it was eclipsed by the daimyo...
- Imperial Household AgencyImperial Household AgencyThe is a government agency of Japan in charge of the state matters concerning Japan's imperial family and also keeping the Privy Seal and the State Seal...
Further reading
- Dickenson, Walter G. (1869). Japan: Being a Sketch of the History, Government and Officers of the Empire. London: W. Blackwood and Sons. OCLC 10716445