Oometsuke - Oometsuke

A title of a job in the Edo Shogunate. Under the control of the Roju (elder councilors), it was also called Daimyo Metsuke or So Metsuke. It was established in December 1632 (Kan'ei 9), but it can be said to be part of the Tokugawa Iemitsu administration's strengthening of control over the Daimyo. Its original role was as a military magistrate, as was demonstrated in the Shimabara Rebellion. It was limited to four or five people, selected from the Hatamoto, but its treatment was the same as that of a Daimyo. In 1723 (Kyoho 8), its official salary was set at 3,000 koku. The duties of the Oometsuke included announcing laws throughout the country, arranging Daimyo's seats in the Edo Castle palace, accepting Daimyo's notices of absence, and supervising the shogun's attendants when he went out. In addition, he was sometimes ordered to patrol the Kanto and Kinai provinces, and it seems that his duties also included inspecting the public situation within the country. He also held the posts of road magistrate, religious inspector, and gun inspector.

[Masuo Inorimoto]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

江戸幕府の職名。老中(ろうじゅう)の支配下で大名(だいみょう)目付、総目付ともよばれた。1632年（寛永9）12月に設置されたが、徳川家光(いえみつ)政権による大名統制強化の一環といえる。その本来の役割は軍奉行(いくさぶぎょう)であり、これは島原の乱でも証明された。定員は4、5人で旗本から選出されるが、待遇は大名並みの役職である。1723年（享保8）役高は3000石と定められた。大目付の職掌は、全国への法令の布告、江戸城殿中での大名の席の配置、大名の欠礼届の受理、将軍出行時の供奉(ぐぶ)の管掌などのほか、関東・畿内(きない)諸国の巡視を命ぜられる場合もあり、国内の民情視察も職務であったようである。ほかに道中(どうちゅう)奉行、宗門改(しゅうもんあらため)、鉄砲改を兼任した。

［煎本増夫］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例