Kurododokoro

One of the Ryoge no Kanshi (official offices outside the Imperial Court). The Emperor's household administration institution. In 810 (Kōnin 1), Emperor Saga placed his courtiers in the Kurodo-dokoro for the first time, and had them handle confidential documents. The establishment of the Kurodo-dokoro was related to the Kusuko Incident, and it is said that he appointed his trusted aides Fujiwara Fuyutsugu and Kose Nonotari as Kurodo-tō to prevent confidential information from leaking to the retired Emperor Heizei's side. From then on, they served the Emperor closely, conveying imperial edicts to the various offices, and were involved in the duties of Naishi (naishi), Nakatsukasa (naitsu), Shonagon (shounagon), and chamberlain under the Ritsuryo system, and managed the affairs of the Imperial Court. The staff included one betto, two heads, eight kurodo, four to six non-kurodo, eight miscellaneous servants, twenty tokoronoshu, three suiinou, six to twelve kodoneri, ten to thirty takiguchi, and ten takagai. The first betto was held by Dainagon Fujiwara no Tokihira in 897 (Kanpei 9). Initially, nobles of Chunagon rank or higher were appointed to this position, but later it became common for ichinojo (first-ranking kami) to take on the role. The head was the de facto person in charge of managing the affairs of the palace, and was appointed from among courtiers of the fourth rank. The one selected from the benkan was called tounoben, and the one selected from the Konoe no jisho was called tonochujo. The head position was in drama duties, but he was quickly promoted to councilor. In 888 (Ninna 4), the kurodo were divided according to rank, with two fifth-rank kurodo and six sixth-rank kurodo. In the late Heian period, this number increased to three fifth-rank and five sixth-rank. Non-kurodo were like clerical apprentices to the kurodo. Zoshiki advanced to the sixth-rank kurodo along with the non-kurodo. The Shoshu were involved in miscellaneous tasks at the palace, and also served as messengers together with the zoshiki and kotonari. The treasurer prepared and signed documents such as letters and decrees issued by the Kurodosho. The Takiguchi was mainly responsible for guarding the Imperial Palace.

[Naohiko Watanabe]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

令外官司(りょうげのかんし)の一つ。天皇の家政機関。810年（弘仁1）嵯峨(さが)天皇は初めて殿上(てんじょう)の侍臣を蔵人所に置き、機密の文書などをつかさどらせた。蔵人所の新設は薬子(くすこ)の変と関係があり、平城(へいぜい)上皇方に機密が漏れるのを防ぐため、腹心の藤原冬嗣(ふゆつぐ)、巨勢野足(こせののたり)らを蔵人頭(くろうどのとう)に任命したといわれる。以後、もっぱら天皇に近侍して、詔勅を諸司に伝達し、令制(りょうせい)の内侍(ないし)、中務(なかつかさ)、少納言(しょうなごん)、侍従などの職務にも関与し、殿上の諸事を切り回すようになった。その職員には別当1人、頭2人、蔵人8人、非蔵人4～6人、雑色(ぞうしき)8人、所衆(ところのしゅう)20人、出納(すいのう)3人、小舎人(こどねり)6～12人、滝口(たきぐち)10～30人、鷹飼(たかがい)10人などがある。別当は897年（寛平9）に大納言(だいなごん)藤原時平(ときひら)がなったのが初見。当初は中納言以上の公卿(くぎょう)が任命されているが、のちには一の上(かみ)がなるのが一般である。頭は殿上の諸事を切り回す事実上の担い手で、四位の殿上人をもって任命した。弁官より選ばれたものを頭弁(とうのべん)、近衛次将(このえのじしょう)から選ばれたものを頭中将(とうのちゅうじょう)という。頭は劇務であったが、参議への昇進も早かった。蔵人は888年（仁和4）位階によって分け、五位蔵人2人、六位蔵人6人とした。平安後期には五位3人、六位5人となる。非蔵人は蔵人の事務見習いのようなもの。雑色は非蔵人とともに六位蔵人に進む。所衆は殿上の雑事に従事し、また雑色、小舎人らとともに諸使を勤める。出納は蔵人所から発給する牒(ちょう)、下文(くだしぶみ)などの文書を作成し、署名する。滝口は主として内裏の警護にあたる。

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