Scepter

A ceremonial item used in the attire of the nobility. The correct reading of the word shaku is "kotsu," but because it sounds the same as "bone," it came to be disliked and pronounced "shaku." Originally, a shaku was held in the right hand during ceremonies, with a paper with the order of the ceremony written on it pasted on the back as a reminder, and was also called a teita. The Yoro Clothing Order stipulated that those of rank 5 or higher should wear a geshaku (fan-like scepter) for formal attire and morning attire, and those of rank 6 or lower should wear a mokshaku (wooden scepter). However, because ivory was difficult to obtain, in the Heian period, fan-like scepters were only used with formal attire, and wooden scepters were used for morning attire. The shaku used by the emperor was roughly square from top to bottom, while those used by vassals were rounded at the top, gradually narrowing at the bottom and becoming square at the end. Oak (ichii) is considered the best material for making a wooden scepter, and other wood grains such as holly, cherry, sakaki, and cedar are also considered good.

[Takada Yamato]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

貴族階級の服装に用いられる威儀具。笏は「こつ」と読むのが正しいが、骨と同音のため、嫌って「しゃく」といわれるようになった。もと、儀式の際に備忘のため式次第を書いた紙を笏の裏に貼(は)り、右手に持ったもので、手板とも称した。養老(ようろう)の衣服令(りょう)で礼服および朝服に五位以上の者に牙笏(げしゃく)、六位以下は木笏(もくしゃく)と定められた。しかし象牙(ぞうげ)の入手が困難なため、平安時代になると牙笏は礼服のみに用いられ、朝服にはみな木笏が用いられることとなった。天皇の用いる笏は上下ともほぼ方形とし、臣下は上円下方として上が丸みを帯び、下部がしだいに幅狭くなり端が方形である。木笏の材料は櫟(いちい)（一位）を最上とし、柊(ひいらぎ)、桜、榊(さかき)、杉などの板目がよいとされている。

［高田倭男］

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