Various colors

The term originated in the ancient Ritsuryo system and was used from the Middle Ages to the early modern period, but both terms refer to various lower-ranking statuses and occupations.

In ancient times, there were occupations called "Shoshi Zoshikinin" under the imperial court officials and people of high rank, such as Shibu (messenger) who accompanied miscellaneous messengers, guarding the various gates of the palace, cleaning, managing and repairing the palace buildings, preparing carriages, cooking food for offerings, and providing ice and water. Some interpretations include Shinabe (production staff) and Zakko (miscellaneous staff) who were lower in rank and worked in the palace workshops, and Shosei (papermaking), Shote (brushmaking), Ink making, coloring, and music at each government office were also called Zoshiki. Lower-ranking officials from various places under the temple construction office, as well as artisans such as Buddhist carpenters, painters, casters, ironworkers, woodworkers, and tile makers were also included in this category. These people were distinguished from ordinary farmers, or "baekjeong," in that they had the status of subordinate officials, some of whom held official ranks, and were unique in that they were exempt from taxes.

Later, the concept of zoshiki was expanded to include 'zoshikinin from various provinces' (kokuga or gunga) who were of a similar status to those mentioned above, and 'shoka zoshikinin' (shoka zoshikinin) who were servants who performed household duties for aristocrats. Furthermore, with the establishment of various government offices such as the Kurododokoro, special types such as the Kurododokoro zoshiki also appeared.

In the Middle Ages, samurai retainers were called "zoshiki" mainly because they were descendants of "shoka zoshikinin," and the term was used to refer to low-ranking officials of the shogunate's guards, as well as retainers outside the family.

[Kunio Hirano]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

古代の律令(りつりょう)制に始まる用語で、中世より近世まで用いられたが、いずれも下級の諸種の身分と職掌を表す。

　古代では、「諸司雑色人」といって、朝廷の官人や有位者の下にあって、雑使に従う使部(しぶ／つかいのよぼろ)、宮廷の諸門の守衛、殿舎の清掃・管理・修理、乗輿(じょうよ)の調進、供御(くご)の食物の調理、水氷の供進などにあたる伴部(ばんぶ／とものみやつこ)などの職種があった。それより身分が低く、宮廷工房で生産にあたる品部(しなべ)・雑戸(ざっこ)も雑色に含める解釈もあり、各官司で、写書、造紙、造筆、造墨、彩色、音楽などに従う諸生・諸手もそうよばれた。また造寺司のもとの各所の下級官人や、仏工、画師、鋳工、鉄工、木工、瓦(かわら)工などの工人も、このうちに含まれる。これらは、一般の農民＝白丁(はくてい)とは区別され、属吏としての身分をもち、また官位を有するものもあり、課役を免除される点に特色がある。

　その後、雑色の概念は拡大され、「諸国雑色人」といって、国衙(こくが)や郡家で、上記に準じた身分のもの、「諸家雑色人」として貴族の家務に従う従者にも適用され、また蔵人所(くろうどどころ)をはじめ政府の諸所が成立すると、蔵人所雑色のような特殊なものも現れる。

　中世に入って、武家の従者が雑色とよばれるのは、おもに「諸家雑色人」の系譜を継ぐもので、幕府の番衆の下級役人から、一門以外の従者に及ぶまで用いられた。

［平野邦雄］

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