Changes

* ''Japanese'': 目付 ''(Metsuke)''

* ''Japanese'': 目付 ''(Metsuke)''

During the [[Edo period]], roughly ten ''metsuke'', or "inspectors," acted as auditors in an "internal affairs" capacity, monitoring other officials in the [[Tokugawa shogunate|shogunate administration]] and investigating various legal or judicial matters. They were tasked with observing the operations of the various departments, as well as seeking out criminal acts, corruptions, and inefficiencies. Later in the Edo period, ''metsuke'' came to play a role in suggesting policy reforms; in the [[Bakumatsu period]], they came to make recommendations on foreign policy as well, and to investigate related matters.

During the [[Edo Period]] the Metsuke acted as auditors in an "Internal Affairs" capacity for the [[Tokugawa Bakufu]]. They were tasked with observing the operations of the various departments, as well as seeking out criminal acts, corruptions, and inefficiencies. This included examining the conduct and affairs of Samurai as well. By the late [[Bakumatsu Period]], foreign affairs were added to thier responsibilities.

 

The ''metsuke'' were overseen by the ''[[wakadoshiyori]]'', but had the right to report directly to the ''[[roju|rôjû]]'' or even the shogun if the situation merited it. The ''metsuke'' in turn supervised a staff of roughly fifty ''kachi metsuke'' and roughly one hundred ''kobito metsuke'', low-ranking investigators without rights of shogunal audience.

==Appointment==

==Appointment==

Metsuke were generally chosen from the ranks of [[Tsukaiban]], [[Kachigashira]], and [[Kojunin Gashira|Kojûnin Gashira]], however the Shogun could also appoint Metsuke from the ranks of [[Kosho|Koshô]] and [[Konando|Konandô]]. Existing Metsuke would vote on new appointments, and were also tasked with background checks on potential new additions to the Metsuke. However, Shogunal appointments from the Konandô and Koshô were not typically challenged.

''Metsuke'' were generally chosen from the ranks of ''[[tsukaiban]]'', ''[[kachigashira]]'', and ''[[Kojunin Gashira|kojûnin gashira]]'', however the shogun could also appoint ''metsuke'' from the ranks of ''[[Kosho|koshô]]'' and ''[[Konando|konandô]]'', all rather low-ranking origins. Existing ''metsuke'' would vote on new appointments, and were also tasked with background checks on potential new additions to their ranks. However, shogunal appointments from the ''konandô'' and ''koshô'' were not typically challenged.

The position was terminated at the fall of the Bakufu with the [[Meiji Restoration]].

The position was terminated along with the fall of the shogunate in the [[Meiji Restoration]].

==Notable Metsuke==

==Notable Metsuke==

==References==

==References==

* Beerens, Anna. ''Interview with a Bakumatsu Official: A Translation from Kyuji Shimonroku'' Monumenta Nipponica, Vol. 55, No. 3. (Autumn, 2000), pp. 369-398.

*Anna Beerens, "Interview with a Bakumatsu Official: A Translation from Kyuji Shimonroku," ''Monumenta Nipponica'' 55:3 (Autumn 2000), 369-398.

*Mitani Hiroshi, David Noble (trans.), ''Escape from Impasse'', International House of Japan (2006), xxix-xxx.

[[Category:Ranks and Titles]][[Category:Terminology]]

[[Category:Ranks and Titles]][[Category:Terminology]]