National Examination - Kokuken

Japanese: 国検 - こくけん

Abbreviation of Kokuga Kenchu or Kokushi Kenchu. In ancient times, kokushi often dispatched inspectors to investigate the area, amount of tax, and taxpayers of the public lands within their jurisdiction to ensure accurate tax collection. This was kokuken, and the act was called kenchu or kenden. Until the mid-Heian period, kokuga had strong control, and kokuken had a practical effect, partly as a countermeasure against the rising manor power. In particular, when kokushi were replaced, the newly appointed kokushi was called the "first inspector" and it was their natural duty to carry out an inspection of their assigned province.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

国衙検注または国司検注の略称。古代では，国司は徴税の正確を期するためにしばしば検田使などを派遣し，管国内の公領の面積･税額･名請人(担税者)などの実情を調査させた。これが国検であり，その行為を検注，検田などと呼んだ。平安時代中期ごろまでは一応国衙の支配権も強く，台頭しつつあった荘園勢力に対抗する意味もあって，国検は実質的な効果をもっていた。とくに国司交替の際には，新任国司は〈初任検注〉と称し，任国の検注を実施するのが彼らの当然の義務であった。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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