Twelve Level Cap and Rank System
Encyclopedia
, established in 603
, was the first of what would be several similar cap and rank systems established during the Asuka period
of Japanese history. It was adapted from similar systems
that were already in place in Sui dynasty
China
, Paekche
and Koguryŏ
. The officials wore silk caps that were decorated with gold and silver, and a feather that indicated the official's rank. The ranks in the twelve level cap and rank system consisted of the greater and the lesser of each of the six Confucian
virtues: , , , , and .
The primary distinction between this new system and the old kabane
system by which a person's rank was determined based on heredity, was that the cap and rank system allowed for promotion based on merit and individual achievement. One of the more well known examples of promotion within the cap and rank system is that of Ono no Imoko
. When Imoko was first sent as an envoy to the Sui
court in 607
, he was ranked Greater Propriety (5th rank), but he was eventually promoted to the top rank of Greater Virtue because of his achievements, particularly during his second trip to Sui in 608
.
The following table lists the various ranks and the colors that were believed to have been assigned to each one.
603
Year 603 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 603 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 :* Battle of Degsastan: Æthelfrith of Bernicia...
, was the first of what would be several similar cap and rank systems established during the Asuka period
Asuka period
The , was a period in the history of Japan lasting from 538 to 710 , although its beginning could be said to overlap with the preceding Kofun period...
of Japanese history. It was adapted from similar systems
Nine-rank system
The nine rank system , or much less commonly nine grade controller system, was a civil service nomination system during the Three Kingdoms and the Southern and Northern Dynasties in China...
that were already in place in Sui dynasty
Sui Dynasty
The Sui Dynasty was a powerful, but short-lived Imperial Chinese dynasty. Preceded by the Southern and Northern Dynasties, it ended nearly four centuries of division between rival regimes. It was followed by the Tang Dynasty....
China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Paekche
Baekje
Baekje or Paekche was a kingdom located in southwest Korea. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla....
and Koguryŏ
Goguryeo
Goguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in present day northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
. The officials wore silk caps that were decorated with gold and silver, and a feather that indicated the official's rank. The ranks in the twelve level cap and rank system consisted of the greater and the lesser of each of the six Confucian
Confucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...
virtues: , , , , and .
The primary distinction between this new system and the old kabane
Kabane
were hereditary titles used in ancient Japan to denote rank and political standing. There were more than thirty. Some of the more common kabane were omi, muraji, , , , , , and ....
system by which a person's rank was determined based on heredity, was that the cap and rank system allowed for promotion based on merit and individual achievement. One of the more well known examples of promotion within the cap and rank system is that of Ono no Imoko
Ono no Imoko
was a Japanese politician and diplomat in the late 6th and early 7th century, during the Asuka period.Ono was appointed by Empress Suiko as an official envoy to the Sui court in 607 , and he delivered the famous letter from Japan's Prince Shōtoku which began "The Son of Heaven where the sun rises...
. When Imoko was first sent as an envoy to the Sui
Sui Dynasty
The Sui Dynasty was a powerful, but short-lived Imperial Chinese dynasty. Preceded by the Southern and Northern Dynasties, it ended nearly four centuries of division between rival regimes. It was followed by the Tang Dynasty....
court in 607
607
Year 607 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 607 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.- Asia :* August 1 – Prince Shotoku of Japan...
, he was ranked Greater Propriety (5th rank), but he was eventually promoted to the top rank of Greater Virtue because of his achievements, particularly during his second trip to Sui in 608
608
Year 608 was a leap year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 608 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.- Asia :* Khosrau II of Persia attacks Chalcedon.* Prince...
.
The following table lists the various ranks and the colors that were believed to have been assigned to each one.
| Rank | Kanji | Romaji | English |
| 1 | 大徳 | Daitoku | Greater Virtue |
| 2 | 小徳 | Shōtoku | Lesser Virtue |
| 3 | 大仁 | Daijin | Greater Benevolence |
| 4 | 小仁 | Shōjin | Lesser Benevolence |
| 5 | 大礼 | Dairei | Greater Propriety |
| 6 | 小礼 | Shōrei | Lesser Propriety |
| 7 | 大信 | Daishin | Greater Sincerity |
| 8 | 小信 | Shōshin | Lesser Sincerity |
| 9 | 大義 | Daigi | Greater Justice |
| 10 | 小義 | Shōgi | Lesser Justice |
| 11 | 大智 | Daichi | Greater Knowledge |
| 12 | 小智 | Shōchi | Lesser Knowledge |