Ancient History of Personnel: Ancient Japan Seen from the Ritsuryo Official System

2020/10/27

Standing at the Heijo Palace Site, the center of the capital of Nara, one can see Mount Wakakusa to the east, Mount Ikoma to the west, and the Narayama Hills to the north. This is where the people of the Nara period capital lived. However, when I mention the Heijo Palace Site to relatives living in Osaka, they often respond with, "There's nothing there," which I've found a bit disappointing.

It is true that the original buildings are gone, and it may be difficult to imagine the past with only a few reconstructed buildings and foundation stones. However, there is actually meaning in the "emptiness." For example, the Daigokuden (Council Hall), the heart of the palace, and its vast front courtyard (Chodoin). This area has been a wide-open space since the Nara period, serving as a place where officials stood in order of rank before the Emperor seated in the Daigokuden, embodying a hierarchy with the Emperor at the top. Meanwhile, it has also been revealed that gardens and ponds were located in the northwest and eastern ends of the palace, serving as venues for banquets held by the Emperor with the aristocracy.

In this way, the structure of the Heijo Palace reveals the coexistence of bureaucratic principles based on the Ritsuryo system inherited from China and private relationships centered around the Emperor. Japan's ancient state constructed a ruling system that skillfully interwove these two elements. This book attempts to organize that reality through the keyword "personnel" (jinji).

The word "personnel" is likely something that hits close to home for many people. Looking at the feedback and reviews from those who have picked up this book, it seems many have read it by drawing parallels to modern society and their own personal interests. While I intended to write about the similarities to the modern era with the restraint expected of a humble historian, I am grateful that readers found it relatable.

The Ritsuryo official system developed in ancient times was a sophisticated personnel system with a detailed evaluation process, and it may seem complex at first glance. However, while its acceptance and treatment varied depending on the era and situation, I believe it is a culture that has permeated Japanese history as something familiar to the people. Recently, with the change of the era name (gengo), change is often emphasized, but I would be more than happy if this book serves as an opportunity to become aware not only of change but also of the continuous connection with the past.

Ancient History of Personnel: Ancient Japan Seen from the Ritsuryo Official System

Yoichi Sogawa

Chikuma Shinsho

272 pages, 860 yen (excluding tax)

*Affiliations and titles are as of the time of publication.