Councillor - Giseikan

A legislative body in the early Meiji period. On April 21, 1868 (Keio 4), the Restoration government promulgated the Constitution of Japan based on the spirit of the Five Articles of Oath, restored the Dajokan (Grand Council of State), clarified the policy of separation of powers, and established the Council of State as a legislative body. The Council of State was composed of the Upper Bureau and the Lower Bureau, and important proclamations and legislation were to be issued by administrative officials after being decided by the Council of State. The Upper Bureau was composed of the Councilors, consisting of high-ranking courtiers and feudal lords, and the Counselors, consisting of low-ranking courtiers and powerful samurai from powerful domains in the southwest, while the Lower Bureau was composed of tribute officers selected from each domain. As many of the Councilors and Counselors also held administrative positions, the Upper Bureau was dissolved within six months. On May 28, the Shimokyoku was put into operation as the Koshi Taisho (Office for the Management of Contributors), and after the Council of State was abolished on May 13, the following year (Meiji 2), its duties were taken over by the Kogisho (Public Assembly) and Shugiin (Collection of Houses of Representatives).

[Inoue Isao]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

明治初年の立法機関。1868年（慶応4）閏(うるう)4月21日、維新政府は五か条の誓文の精神に基づいて政体書を公布、太政官(だじょうかん)を復興するとともに、三権分立の方針を明らかにし、立法機関として議政官を設置した。議政官は上局(じょうきょく)と下局(かきょく)から構成されており、重要な布告、法制などは議政官の決定をまって行政官が布達することとなっていた。上局は、上級廷臣、諸侯などからなる議定と、下級廷臣、西南雄藩の有力藩士からなる参与により構成され、下局は、各藩から選出された貢士(こうし)を構成員としていた。議定、参与の多くは行政官を兼任していたので、上局は半年足らずで消滅した。5月28日下局は貢士対策所として実施され、翌69年（明治2）5月13日に議政官が廃止されたあと、その任務は公議所、集議院へと引き継がれた。

［井上　勲］

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