Ministry of the Center


The Ministry of the Center was a division of the eighth century Japanese government of the Imperial Court in Kyoto, instituted in the Asuka period and formalized during the Heian period. The Ministry was replaced in the Meiji period.

Overview

This ministry encompassed those of the Imperial Household whose functions brought them closest to the emperor. The ceremonies of the Imperial Household evolved over time. Among those holding the highest office in the Imperial Household ministry was Takaharu-shinnō, who would later become Emperor Go-Daigo.

History

The ceremonial nature of the Imperial Household has changed over time. The Ministry was established in 649 as a liaison between the Daijō-kan and the Emperor.
The ambit of the Ministry's activities encompasses, for example:
Amongst the significant Daijō-kan officials within this ministry structure were:
In the Meiji period, a variant equerry was introduced as part of the Imperial retinue. As explained in an excerpt from the 113th Imperial decree of 1896 :