Rank - Iki

A letter of appointment used when bestowing a rank. It corresponds to the kokushin (a letter of appointment) of the Tang Dynasty. It was given in place of a crown from the Kiyomihara Code (689). Under the ritsuryo system, there are three forms of rank certificates: Imperial decree (fifth rank, sixth class or higher), soju (sixth rank, seventh class or lower), and hanju (eighth rank of external attendant rank and first rank of internal or external attendant rank or higher). Imperial decrees are written on yellow paper by the Naiki, signed by the Daijo Daijin, Dainagon, Nakatsukasakyo, Shikibukyo (Hyobukyo in the case of military officers), and then stamped with the Naiin (the seal of the Emperor's seal) and bestowed by imperial decree. The certificates for soju and hanju were written on blank paper by the Ministry of Ceremonies for civil officials, the Ministry of War for military officers, and the Ministry of Central Affairs for female officials, and sent to each Dajokan. However, while the certificates for soju were awarded after a report from the Dajokan, the certificates for hanju were awarded immediately by the Dajokan without a report. Both of these certificates were stamped with an external seal (a seal of the Dajokan).

[Naohiko Watanabe]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

位階を授与する際の辞令。唐の告身(こくしん)にあたる。浄御原令(きよみはらりょう)（689）より冠にかえて与えた。令制では位記に、勅授（五位、勲六等以上）、奏授（六位、勲七等以下）、判授（外従(げじゅ)八位および内・外初位(そい)以上）の三つの書式がある。勅授の位記は、内記(ないき)が黄紙に書き、太政(だいじょう)大臣、大納言(だいなごん)、中務卿(なかつかさきょう)、式部卿（武官の場合は兵部(ひょうぶ)卿）などが加署したのち、内印(ないいん)（天皇御璽(ぎょじ)の刻印）を押し、勅旨により授けた。奏授、判授の位記は、文官は式部省、武官は兵部省、女官は中務省において白紙に書き、各太政官に送付した。ただし奏授の位記は、太政官より奏聞して授与するが、判授の位記は奏聞せず、太政官がただちに判授した。この両位記にはともに外印(げいん)（太政官印の刻印）を押した。

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