Order - Gechijo

A form of ancient document. It is a style of document derived from kudashibumi (official documents) that arose in the mid-Heian period, and was called gechikudan no gotoshi (order as stated above) because the main text ends with gechikudan no gotoshi (order as stated above). It was widely used in the shogunate during the Kamakura period, and was considered important as an official document of the shogunate, along with shimobun (official documents) and migyosho (rescripts issued by the emperor). From this time on, gechijo was issued by both the Muromachi and Edo shogunates, as well as by shugo daimyo (military governors). In addition, gechijo issued by temples and other organizations can also be seen. The main uses were for confirmation of territories, exemptions from duties, court decisions, laws and regulations, prohibitions, and kasho (permits to pass through checkpoints). As a special example, in the Muromachi shogunate, when a document requiring the shogun's signature had to be issued when the shogun was absent or too young to sign, the shogun's signature was substituted with gechijo issued by the kanrei (regent).

[Momose Kesao]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

古文書の一形式。平安中期におこった下文(くだしぶみ)から派生した文書様式で、本文の結びを「下知如件(げちくだんのごとし)」と書くことから下知状とよばれた。鎌倉時代、幕府において盛んに用いられ、下文、御教書(みぎょうしょ)と並んで幕府の公式文書として重要視された。これより室町・江戸両幕府をはじめ守護大名も下知状を発行した。このほか寺院などの出した下知状もみられる。用途は、所領の安堵(あんど)、所役(しょやく)免除、訴訟の判決、法令、禁制、過所(かしょ)（関所通行の許可証）などがおもなものであった。特殊な用例として、室町幕府において将軍が不在であったり、幼少のため署判できないときなどに、将軍の署判を必要とする文書を出さねばならない場合、管領(かんれい)の下知状で代用したことがある。

［百瀬今朝雄］

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