Hyojosho

• Japanese: 評定所 (hyôjôsho)

The Hyôjôsho, established in 1634, was the judicial council under the Tokugawa shogunate. It was equivalent to the Monchûjo council of the earlier Kamakura shogunate. It was comprised of the rôjû, the highest officials in the shogunate government, and a number of bugyô, who headed certain executive departments. The role of the council was partially executive, and partially judicial, and they served from a Council Chamber within Edo Castle.

Unlike many modern governmental councils or organizations, the Hyôjôsho members had other responsibilities and powers, outside of being members of the Council. In addition to the Rôjû, the members of the Hyôjôsho were the Machi bugyô (City Commissioners), Jisha bugyô (Commissioners of Shrines and Temples), Kanjô bugyô (Finance Commissioners), and the Ô-Metsuke (Chief Inspectors).

For the Ryukyuan Council of State, see hyôjôju.

References

• This article was written by User:LordAmeth and contributed to both S-A and Wikipedia; the author gives permission for his work to be used in this way.
• Sansom, George (1963). "A History of Japan: 1615-1867." Stanford, California: Stanford University Press.