Chodoin - Chodoin

It is also called Hasshoin (Eight Ministries). Originally, it was the center of the Imperial Palace, where officials from the Eight Ministries (central administrative offices under the Daijokan, namely Nakatsukasa, Shikibu, Jibu, Minbu, Hyobu, Gyobu, Okura, and the Eight Ministries of the Imperial Household) worked, where nobles discussed government affairs, and where the Emperor made the decisions. As the bureaucratic organization under the Ritsuryo system was eventually developed, independent government offices (kanga) below the Daijokan were established, and Chodoin came to be used for ceremonies such as enthronement and morning celebrations, as well as banquets. This change was also reflected in its size, which became the largest at Fujiwara Palace before shrinking in size. Since Naniwa Palace, the basic form has been a rectangular area surrounded by a corridor with the Daigokuden (main hall) to the north and the Chodo (Twelve Halls) and Choshuden (hall) lined up to the east and west of that on the south side. There was also a corridor between the Daigokuden and Chodo except for Heian Palace. From Fujiwara Palace onwards, the buildings were covered with tiles. At Nagaoka Palace and Heian Palace, the Dairi, which had previously been directly north of Chodoin, was moved to the east, increasing the independence of Chodoin and strengthening its role as a ceremonial venue.

The Chodoin of Heian Palace was established around 796 (Enryaku 15) after the capital was moved, and is 56 jo (about 170 meters) from east to west and 134 jo (about 406 meters) from north to south. On the south side are the Otenmon Gate and the two towers of Seiho and Shoran, and to the north of them are the East and West Choshudo and Kaishomon Gate. To the north of the gate are twelve halls where the imperial family, ministers and other officials sit during ceremonies, and behind them is the elevated Ryubidan (Road), and in front is the Daigokuden Hall. It is well known that in 866 (Jogan 8), the Otenmon Gate burned down, and Tomo Yoshio was forced to resign on suspicion of arson. There were three fires that burned down the Daigokuden Hall, and it was rebuilt twice, but it was not rebuilt after it burned down in 1177 (Jisho 1).

[Sanae Yoshida]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

八省(はっしょう)院ともいう。元来は八省（太政(だいじょう)官に属する中央行政官庁。中務(なかつかさ)、式部、治部、民部、兵部(ひょうぶ)、刑部(ぎょうぶ)、大蔵、宮内の八省）の官人が執務し、公卿(くぎょう)が政務を評議して天皇が決裁する朝政の場で、宮城の中心であった。やがて律令(りつりょう)制の官僚組織が整備されるにしたがい、太政官以下の独立した官衙(かんが)（官庁）が成立し、朝堂院は即位・朝賀(ちょうが)などの儀式や饗宴(きょうえん)に使用されるようになる。この変化が規模にも現れ、藤原宮で最大となり、以後小型化した。難波(なにわ)宮以来の基本的な形は、回廊で囲まれた長方形の区画の北に大極(だいごく)殿（正殿）、その南側東西に朝堂（十二堂）、朝集(ちょうしゅう)殿（堂）が並んでいた。平安宮以外は大極殿と朝堂の間にも回廊があった。藤原宮以後、殿舎は瓦葺(かわらぶ)き。長岡宮、平安宮では、それまで朝堂院の真北にあった内裏(だいり)が東へ移り、朝堂院の独立性を高め、儀式会場的な性格も強まった。

　平安宮の朝堂院は、遷都後の796年（延暦15）ごろ成立し、東西56丈（約170メートル）、南北134丈（約406メートル）。南面に応天門と栖鳳(せいほう)・翔鸞(しょうらん)二楼、その北に東西朝集堂・会昌(かいしょう)門があり、門の北に儀式のときに皇族・大臣以下官人の座となる十二堂が並び、その奥が一段高い竜尾壇(りゅうびだん)（道）で、正面に大極殿があった。866年（貞観8）に応天門が炎上、放火の嫌疑で伴善男(とものよしお)が失脚したことは有名。大極殿まで焼失する火事は三度あり、2回は再建されたが、1177年（治承1）焼失したのちは再建されなかった。

［吉田早苗］

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