Onshison - descendants of the shadows

Japanese: 蔭子孫 - おんしそん

One of the qualifications for the appointment of Ritsuryo officials in ancient Japan. Refers to the children and grandchildren of aristocratic officials of the fifth rank or higher. Among them, children and grandchildren of third rank or higher, and children of fourth and fifth rank (later expanded to grandchildren of fourth rank) were eligible to hold the rank of Inari and were given the privileges of the rank. Children of third rank or higher were employed unconditionally, while other Inari descendants were employed as Udoneri depending on their talent, and the rest were employed as Daitonari or Togu no Toneri. In addition, Inari descendants were given the qualifications to enter university, and played a major role in the reproduction of aristocratic officials. [Nomura Tadao]

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

日本古代の律令官人の任用法上での資格身分の一つ。五位以上の貴族官人の子･孫をいう。うち，三位以上の子･孫，四，五位の子(のち四位の孫に拡大)は蔭位資格者で，蔭位の特典を与えられた。また三位以上の子は無条件で，その他の蔭子孫は才幹によって内舎人（うどねり）に，以外は大舎人，東宮舎人などに採用された。また蔭子孫は，大学への入学資格が与えられるなど，貴族官人の再生産に大きな役割を果たした。【野村忠夫】

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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