Jingi-kan
Encyclopedia
, also known as the Department of Shinto Affairs, was a Japan
ese Imperial bureaucracy established in the 8th century, as part of the ritsuryō
reforms.
(禮部). The Jinji-kan was created to be functionally distinct from its larger administrative corollary, the Daijō-kan.
The Department lost considerable power in feudal times, but it was reinstated in 1869 with the onset of the Meiji period
. It went through different forms and names during the 19th and 20th centuries, and was dismantled on 2 February 1946. On 3 February 1946, the Association of Shinto Shrines
took charge of the administration of the shrine
s.
and ritual
s for the whole country. It was headed by the . From the 10th century to the 15th, the Shirakawa
Hakuo family held this position continuously.
A system of regular offerings (hōhei) to 3,132 kami enshrined across the nation was instituted.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese Imperial bureaucracy established in the 8th century, as part of the ritsuryō
Ritsuryo
is the historical law system based on the philosophies of Confucianism and Chinese Legalism in Japan. The political system in accord to Ritsuryō is called "Ritsuryō-sei"...
reforms.
History
This Shinto administrative hierarchy was an intentional mirror of its Chinese counterpart, the Ministry of RitesThree Departments and Six Ministries
The Three Departments and Six Ministries system was the main central administrative system adopted in ancient China. The system first took shape after the Western Han Dynasty , was officially instituted in Sui Dynasty , and matured during Tang Dynasty...
(禮部). The Jinji-kan was created to be functionally distinct from its larger administrative corollary, the Daijō-kan.
The Department lost considerable power in feudal times, but it was reinstated in 1869 with the onset of the Meiji period
Meiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
. It went through different forms and names during the 19th and 20th centuries, and was dismantled on 2 February 1946. On 3 February 1946, the Association of Shinto Shrines
Association of Shinto Shrines
The is a religious administrative organization that oversees about 80,000 Shinto shrines in Japan. These shrines take the Ise Shrine as the foundation of their belief.The Association has five major activities:...
took charge of the administration of the shrine
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
s.
Functions
The Jingi-kan was charged with oversight of Shinto clergyClergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
and ritual
Ritual
A ritual is a set of actions, performed mainly for their symbolic value. It may be prescribed by a religion or by the traditions of a community. The term usually excludes actions which are arbitrarily chosen by the performers....
s for the whole country. It was headed by the . From the 10th century to the 15th, the Shirakawa
Shirakawa
- Surnames :* Atsushi Shirakawa, a Japanese music composer* Hideki Shirakawa, Dr., a Japanese chemist* Kazuko Shirakawa, a Japanese actress* Masaaki Shirakawa, the 30th governor of the Bank of Japan* Yoshikazu Shirakawa, a Japanese photographer...
Hakuo family held this position continuously.
A system of regular offerings (hōhei) to 3,132 kami enshrined across the nation was instituted.
External links
- Kokugakuin UniversityKokugakuin UniversityKokugakuin University is a private university, whose main office is located in Tokyo's Shibuya district...
, Encyclopedia of Shinto, "Concepts of Emperor and State" (Jingi-kan)