Onmyouryo - Onmyoryo

An office under the Taiho and Yoro codes. It was under the jurisdiction of the Nakatsukasasho (Ministry of Central Affairs). In 758 (Tenpyo Hoji 2), when Fujiwara no Nakamaro changed his official title, the office was renamed Taishikyoku (Great History Bureau), but after Nakamaro's downfall, it was reverted to its former name. Its duties included astronomical and meteorological observations, the creation of calendars, and the measurement of time. It had six Onmyouji (Diviners of the Yin Yang), who predicted good and bad fortune, and one Onmyousho (Doctor of Yin and Yang), who taught ten Onmyousho (Doctors of Yin and Yang). It also had one Calendar Doctor, who created calendars and taught ten Calendar Doctors. Calendars were created the previous year, and sent from the Ryo to the Nakatsukasasho on November 1st, and were presented directly to the Emperor by the Nakatsukasasho. They were then distributed to various offices both inside and outside the country. One astronomical doctor was assigned to observe astronomy, and if any abnormalities related to auspicious events or disasters were found, they were sealed and presented. After the presentation, the records were to be sent to the Ministry of Central Affairs each quarter to be used as material for the compilation of history books. The Doctor of Astronomy also taught 10 astronomy students. In terms of time, there were two Water Clock Doctors who led 20 Shushincho (Guardians of the Heavenly Court) to measure the time using water clocks and announce the time with the sound of bells and drums. They played a role in making the rule of the Emperor, which was based on the ideas of good fortune, disaster, and good fortune, actually function, and they symbolically realised the idea that the Emperor also controlled time through the calendar and water clock.

[Tomohiro Furuoya]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

大宝・養老令制下の官司。中務省(なかつかさしょう)の被管。758年（天平宝字2）藤原仲麻呂による官号改易で大史局(たいしきょく)と改められたが、仲麻呂失脚後、旧に復した。天文・気象の観測や、暦の作成、時刻の測定などを職掌とした。陰陽師(おんみょうじ)が6人所属し、吉凶・禍福を占ったほか、陰陽博士が1人いて10人の陰陽生(おんみょうしょう)に教授した。暦については、暦博士(れきはかせ)が1人おり、暦を作成するとともに10人の暦生を教えた。暦は前年に造り、11月1日に寮から中務省に送られ、中務省から直接天皇に奏上された。その後、内外の諸司に配られることとなっていた。天文については、天文博士が1人所属して観測し、祥瑞・災異に関わる異変があれば、密封して奏上した。なお、奏上後に、季ごとに中務省に送付して、歴史書編纂の素材とすることになっていた。また、天文博士は天文生10人を教えた。時刻については、漏刻博士(ろうこくはかせ)が2人いて、守辰丁(しゅしんちょう)20人を率いて水時計により時刻を測定し、鐘鼓によってこれを知らせた。祥瑞災異思想に基づく天皇の支配を現実に機能させる役割を果たすとともに、天皇が時間をも支配するという観念を暦・漏刻により象徴的に実現させた。

［古尾谷知浩］

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