Epilepsy

This was the name of an office during the Ming and Qing dynasties in China, and was equivalent to a national observatory and meteorological observatory. Since ancient times, there had been offices with names such as Taishi Bureau and Sitianikan, but the name Qintianjian began to be used in 1370 (the 3rd year of the Hongwu era) during the Ming dynasty, which was continued by the Qing dynasty, and renamed Central Observatory when the Republic of China came into being. It was responsible for observing the heavens, observing and forecasting astronomical phenomena such as solar and lunar eclipses, compiling calendars, measuring and announcing time, and making weather observations, and also provided predictions for the security of the nation and reported to the emperor on the selection of dates and times for religious rites and ceremonies.

[Toshio Watanabe]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

中国の明(みん)・清(しん)代の役所名で、国立の天文台兼気象台に相当する。古くから太史局、司天監などの名称の役所があったが、明朝の1370年（洪武3）に欽天監の名称が使われ始め、清朝に引き継がれ、中華民国になって中央観象台と改称された。天体観測、日・月食など天文現象の観測や予報、暦の編纂(へんさん)、時間の測定と報時や、気象観測も行って、国家の安全を占い、祭祀(さいし)や儀式の日時の選定などについて皇帝に答申した。

［渡辺敏夫］

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