The Master of Ceremonies (治部卿 Jibu-kyō) is one of the major positions in the Japanese Imperial Household Agency. The function of the Imperial ceremonial master predates the Heian period; and the role continued to be filled continuously since those ancient times. Formerly, the title and position were conferred in the name of the Emperor. In the Japan of today, the Master of Ceremonies is construed as an honor and responsibility conferred by the Prime Minister and the nation's government.
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The Imperial Household Agency is a government organization considered to be under the Prime Minister. This agency, headed by the Grand Steward, attends to state matters concerning the Imperial House. One of the internal subdivisions of the agency is the Board of the Ceremonies which is headed by the Grand Master of the Ceremonies.[1]
Grand Master of the Ceremonies is charged with assisting in coordinating various court functions held for visiting foreign dignitaries. He is also responsible for such activities as the Imperial Family's State visits to foreign countries.[1]
Assisting the Grand Master are a number of functionaries with specific responsibilities. For example, one of the two Vice-Grand Masters of the Ceremonies is responsible for ceremonies which involve music. The Music Department performs both gagaku, i.e. ancient court music, and the western classical music.[1]
Encompassed within the wide-ranging duties of the Grand Master is ensuring orderly ceremonies for wild-duck netting.[1]
The Imperial court position of Master of Ceremonies identified the ceremonial expert in the Imperial retinue. The title arose during evolution of governmental reorganizations beginning in 701. These pre-Heian period innovations are collectively known as the ritsuryō-sei (律令制).
The Asuka-, Nara- and Heian-period Imperial court hierarchy encompassed a Ministry of the Ceremonies (治部省, Jibu-shō); also known as the "Ministry of the Interior"[2] and its head was the Master of Ceremonies or Chief administrator of the Ministry of Ceremonies (治部卿, Jibu-kyō).[3]
Amongst the significant Daijō-kan officials working with the Master of Ceremonies[4] within a somewhat rigid organizational structure were: