Minister of the Right

(1) An official position under the ritsuryo system. Together with the Daijodaijin and the Sadaijin, it constitutes the core of the Daijokan. Its rank is second only to the Sadaijin, but its duties and rank are the same as the Sadaijin, and its duties include managing the affairs of the people, raising and maintaining the government, and making general judgments on general affairs. It is an official position equivalent to Nihon or Nii. According to the Nihon Shoki, it was first seen when Soga no Kurayamada no Ishikawamaro was appointed to this position in the new personnel changes made during the Taika Reforms. It seems that the system was established as an official system during the reign of Emperor Tenchi, but it is unclear whether it was different from the Taiho ritsuryo system. It is generally compared to the Tang name Taiho, but this official name is unique to Japan, and there is a view that its origin is related to the previous Ōomi, but there is no definite proof. In the Nara period, the position was often the highest in the Dajokan, but in the Heian period, the position became nominal. (2) The government system in the early Meiji period. In 1869 (Meiji 2), following the reform of the Dajokan system after the return of the domains and people to the Emperor, the position was established as the highest official to assist the Emperor along with the Minister of the Left, and Sanjo Sanetomi was appointed to it. In 1871, the position was temporarily abolished in the reforms following the abolition of the feudal domains and the establishment of prefectures, but was re-established shortly thereafter, placed under the Minister of the Left, and forming Seiin with the Minister of the Left and Councillors, with Iwakura Tomomi appointed to it. In 1885, the cabinet system was established and the position was abolished.

[Muneyoshi Sato]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

(1)令(りょう)制の官職。太政(だいじょう)大臣、左(さ)大臣とともに太政官の中枢を構成。地位は左大臣に次ぐが、その職掌、官位相当とも左大臣と同じで、衆務を統理し、綱目を挙(あ)げ持(と)り、庶事を惣判(そうはん)することを任務とし、二品(にほん)、二位相当官である。『日本書紀』によれば、大化改新での新人事で、蘇我倉山田石川麻呂(そがのくらのやまだのいしかわのまろ)が任ぜられたのが初見である。天智(てんじ)朝には官制として成立していたらしいが、大宝(たいほう)令制との異同は不詳。唐名の大保(たいほ)に比するのが一般的であるが、この官職名は日本独自のもので、その由来については前代の大臣(おおおみ)に関連するとの見方もあるが確証はない。奈良時代には太政官最高位に位置することも多かったが、平安時代に入るとその地位は名目化した。(2)明治初期の官制。1869年（明治2）、版籍奉還後の太政(だじょう)官制の改革により、左大臣とともに天皇を輔佐(ほさ)する最高官として設けられ、三条実美(さねとみ)が任ぜられた。71年、廃藩置県後の改革で一時廃官されたが、直後に再置され、太政大臣の下に置かれて、左大臣、参議とともに正院を構成し、岩倉具視(ともみ)が任ぜられた。85年内閣制度が成立し、廃された。

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