roju

The duties of the dairo -- sometimes called karo or o-doshiyori -- were to preside over the roju and to handle important administrative affairs.

A History of the Japanese People From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era Dairoku Kikuchi 1886

It was customary to choose the roju from among officials who had previously served as governors of Osaka or Kyoto or as soshaban, who will be presently spoken of at greater length.

A History of the Japanese People From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era Dairoku Kikuchi 1886

Hyojo-sho became the judicial court, and the three administrators, the roju, together with the censors, formed a collegiate tribunal.

A History of the Japanese People From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era Dairoku Kikuchi 1886

Members of the waka-doshiyori might at any time be promoted to the post of roju.

A History of the Japanese People From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era Dairoku Kikuchi 1886

The roju or senior ministers -- called also toshiyori -- discharged the administration.

A History of the Japanese People From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era Dairoku Kikuchi 1886

Therefore, in 1742, Matsudaira Norimura, one of the roju, together with the three administrators, was commissioned to compile a body of laws, and the result was a fifteen volume book called the Hatto-gaki

A History of the Japanese People From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era Dairoku Kikuchi 1886

Characteristic of the elaborate etiquette observed at the shogun's castle was the existence of semi-officials called tamarizume, whose chief duty in ordinary times was to repair to the castle once every five days, and to inquire through the roju as to the state of the shogun's health.

A History of the Japanese People From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era Dairoku Kikuchi 1886

Various officials served as subordinates of these important bugyo, who were usually taken from the roju or the waka-doshiyori, and, in the days of the sixth shogun, it was found necessary to appoint an auditor of accounts

A History of the Japanese People From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era Dairoku Kikuchi 1886

To the office of dairo a specially distinguished member of the roju was appointed, and if no one possessing the necessary qualifications was available, that post had to be left vacant.

A History of the Japanese People From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era Dairoku Kikuchi 1886

There was, first, what may be regarded as a cabinet, though the name of its members (roju, or seniors) does not suggest the functions generally discharged by ministers of State.

A History of the Japanese People From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era Dairoku Kikuchi 1886