Unaltered Standards - Deep Standards

A law presumably established by Emperor Tenchi regarding the succession to the throne. It can also be read as "Kawarumaji Kitsunenonori" or "Aratamu-maji Kitsunenonori." It first appeared in the enthronement decree of Emperor Genmei in 707 (Keion 4). It states that the abdication of Empress Jito to Emperor Mommu was based on Emperor Tenchi's "Eternal Law, which is as long as heaven and earth, and as far as the sun and moon, and cannot be changed." It later appeared in the imperial edicts issued when Emperor Gensho abdicated to Emperor Shomu, and when Emperor Shomu abdicated to Empress Koken. It was once thought to refer to the Omi Code, but currently the more widely accepted theory is that it is a law that outlines the principle of mother-child (grandmother-grandchild) co-rule, or a law that stipulates paternal legitimate or direct lineal succession.

[Teiji Kadowaki]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

天智天皇(てんじてんのう)が定めた、皇位継承に関すると推定される法。「不改常典(かわるまじきつねののり)」「不改常典(あらたむまじきつねののり)」とも読む。707年（慶雲4）の元明天皇(げんめいてんのう)即位宣命(せんみょう)に初見。持統天皇から文武天皇(もんむてんのう)への譲位は天智天皇の「天地と共に長く日月と共に遠く改るまじき常の典」に基づくとある。以後、元正天皇(げんしょうてんのう)から聖武天皇へ、聖武天皇から孝謙天皇への譲位の際の詔(みことのり)にもみえる。かつては近江令(おうみりょう)をさすと考えられたが、現在は母子（祖母・孫）共治の原則を示した法、あるいは父系の嫡系ないし直系継承を規定した法とみる説などが有力である。

［門脇禎二］

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