Hyōjōsho
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Hyōjōsho (評定所?), established in 1634, was the judicial council in Japan under the Tokugawa shogunate. It was equivalent to the Monchūjo council of the earlier Kamakura shogunate. It was comprised of the Rōjū (Elders), the highest officials in the shogunate government, and a number of Commissioners called Bugyō, who headed certain executive departments. The role of the Council was partially executive, and partially judicial, and they served from a Council Chamber within Edo Castle.
Unlike many modern governmental councils or organizations, the Hyōjōsho members had other responsibilities and powers, outside of being members of the Council. In addition to the Rōjū, the members of the Hyōjōsho were the Machi-Bugyō (City Commissioners), Jisha-Bugyō (Commissioners of Shrines and Temples), Kanjō-Bugyō (Finance Commissioners), and the Ō-Metsuke (Chief Inspectors).
[edit] References
- Sansom, George (1963). "A History of Japan: 1615-1867." Stanford, California: Stanford University Press.
