Ministry of Ceremonies (Japan)


The Ministry of Ceremonies, and it is sometimes identified as the "Ministry of the Interior".

History

It was instituted as part of the Taika Reforms and Ritsuryō laws in the Asuka period and formalized during the Heian period. It was previously called Osamuru-tsukasa. The ministry was replaced in the Meiji period. Today the Board of Ceremonies of the Imperial Household Agency is the successor.

Overview

The ministry was organized to address the ceremonial aspects of the Imperial year, to manage the ceremonial nature of formal relations with China, Korea, and other nations, and to oversee the maintenance of Imperial tombs and mausoleums. The ceremonies of the Imperial Household evolved over time.
The ambit of the Ministry's activities encompasses, for example:
This ministry was also responsible for rules for noble families above the fifth rank.

Hierarchy

The top ritsuryō officials within this ministry structure were: