Uchitoneri - Udoneri

An official of the Emperor's close attendant. Uchi refers to the inner palace (kindai), and is a title for Otoneri. There are theories that it is an abbreviation of "Uchitoneri," and that "toneri" means "entering the sword" or that it is a variant of Tonohaberi. It is said to originate from the notes by Shiko in the "Kotei-ki" section of the "Kanshu," which describes Toneri as the official of the left and right inner attendant, and the Kinju (samurai) Toneri described in the "Nihon Shoki" are the predecessors of Uchitoneri. In 701 (the first year of the Taiho era), 90 people were appointed, and in the "Yoro Gunbo-rei" (Defense Order of the Yoro Army), intelligent people (aged 21 or older) who were descendants of those of fifth rank or higher were selected. They belonged to the Ministry of Central Affairs, carried swords, and were in charge of guarding the Imperial Court and guarding the Imperial visits, but they were civil officials, not military officers. Children of ministers were often appointed (e.g. Otomo no Yakamochi). In 807 (Daido 2), they took over the duties of the Mikado no Tsukasa (Mikado no Tsukasa) and the following year they were involved in the handling of miscellaneous items, but in 811 (Kōnin 2), the system was restored to the role of the Tsukasa. The number of staff was reduced to 40 in 808, and the number has fluctuated since then. After the Engi period (901-923), the appointment of children of noble families ceased, and samurai from various families were appointed and made into lower-ranking officials, and they were given the title of zuijin (attendant) to the regent. Warriors were also appointed, and depending on their origin they were given the titles of Gennai, Heinai, etc.

[Kaoru Inoue]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

天皇近侍の官。内は禁内(きんだい)をさし、大舎人(おおとねり)に対する称。「うちとねり」の略で、「とねり」は刀禰(とね)入りの意とか、殿侍(とのはべ)りの転とする説などがある。『漢書(かんじょ)』高帝紀の師古の注に、舎人は左右近侍の官と記すのに由来するといわれ、『日本書紀』に記す近習(きんじゅ)（侍）舎人は内舎人の前身。701年（大宝1）90人を任じ、「養老(ようろう)軍防令」では五位以上者の子孫（21歳以上）の聡敏(そうびん)者から採用。中務(なかつかさ)省に属し、帯刀して禁中宿衛、行幸警衛を任としたが、武官でなく文官。大臣らの子を任ずることが多い（例、大伴家持(おおとものやかもち)）。807年（大同2）闈司(みかどのつかさ)にかわり奏事をつかさどり、翌年雑物出納(すいとう)に関与したが、811年（弘仁2）闈司が行う制に復した。定員は808年40人に減じ、のちも増減。延喜(えんぎ)（901～923）以後、良家の子の任用が絶え、諸家の侍(さむらい)を任じて卑官化し、摂関の随身(ずいじん)として賜り、武士も任ぜられ、出身により源内、平内などと称した。

［井上　薫］

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