Changes

The Ritsuryo system was a code of law developed starting in the 7th century and came to its peak in the [[Heian Period]].  It defined a system of ranks ([[kan'i]]) and positions within the government, as well as a code of law regarding land usage, religious matters, etc.

The Ritsuryō 律令 system was a code of law developed starting in the 7th century and came to its peak in the [[Heian Period]].  It defined a system of ranks ([[kan'i]])官位 and positions within the government, as well as a code of law regarding land usage, religious matters, etc.

==Ritsuryo Government Positions==

==Ritsuryō Government Positions==

The positions within the government changed over the centuries, so at any given time the positions noted here may or may not have been in effect (though many of them do seem to have stayed the same).      Although the Tenno and various members of the royal family were still at the official head of the government, most of the actual administration was handled by the [[dajokan]], the council of the ranking ministers of state.

The positions within the government changed over the centuries, so at any given time the positions noted here may or may not have been in effect (though many of them do seem to have stayed the same).      Although the [[emperor|Tennō]] and various members of the royal family were still at the official head of the government, most of the actual administration was handled by the [[daijokan|daijōkan]]　太政官, the council of the ranking ministers of state.

Most positions were attached to a certain rank, although it was not guaranteed that the holder of the office would be of the rank specified.  Some positions appear to have had general rank guidelines instead of strict adherences.  Other times, an officeholder may be of a greater rank than the office he held.  For now, the list below is organized by rank, so some offices may show up more than once, depending on whether or not the precise rank is given (or known).

Most positions were attached to a certain rank, although it was not guaranteed that the holder of the office would be of the rank specified.  Some positions appear to have had general rank guidelines instead of strict adherences.  Other times, an officeholder may be of a greater rank than the office he held.  For now, the list below is organized by rank, so some offices may show up more than once, depending on whether or not the precise rank is given (or known).

Also, some offices had a different numbers of officeholders, and occasionally you even had supernumerary positions, usually indicated by the prefix 'Gon'.  Another common prefix was 'Tou', indicating a member of the [[Fujiwara clan|Fujiwara]] who held the office, although at many times this was almost superfluous as the Fujiwara held most of the high-ranking offices within the government when they were at the peak of their power.

Also, some offices had a different numbers of officeholders, and occasionally you even had supernumerary positions, usually indicated by the prefix 'Gon'権.  Another common prefix was 'Tō'藤, indicating a member of the [[Fujiwara clan|Fujiwara]] 藤原 who held the office, although at many times this was almost superfluous as the Fujiwara held most of the high-ranking offices within the government when they were at the peak of their power.

===[[Jingikan]] (神祗官)===

===[[Jingikan]] (神祗官)===

:Senior Recorder (Daishi 大史)

:Senior Recorder (Daishi 大史)

===[[Daijokan]] (太政官)===

===[[Daijokan|Daijōkan]] (太政官)===

:Prime Minister (Dajodaijin 太政大臣)

:Prime Minister (Dajōdaijin 太政大臣)

:Minister of the Left (Sadaijin 左大臣)

:Minister of the Left (Sadaijin 左大臣)

:Minister of the Right (Udaijin 右大臣)

:Minister of the Right (Udaijin 右大臣)

::Secretary (Bettō 別当)

::Secretary (Bettō 別当)

::Chief (Kami 頭)

::Chief (Kami 頭)

===Regional Divisions ([[Chihokan|Chihokan]] 地方官)===

===Regional Divisions ([[Chihokan|Chihōkan]] 地方官)===

:Left [Eastern] Capital Offices (Sakyōshiki 左京職)

:Left [Eastern] Capital Offices (Sakyōshiki 左京職)

::Comissioner (Daibu 大夫)

::Comissioner (Daibu 大夫)