[RPG] The Saibankan Government System

By TheWanderingJewels, in Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game

From the I'm-not-getting-paid-for-this department, A list of positions for any aspiring Courtier or Bushi within the Imperial City. This is a re-labled version of the actual Japanese imperial system and they had this many offices. Now imagine Rokugan's size if you think this is overly detailed

The Saibankan Government System

The positions within the government changed over the centuries, so at any given time the positions noted here may or may not have been in effect (though many of them do seem to have stayed the same). Although the Emperor and various members of the royal family were still at the official head of the government, most of the actual administration was handled by the Daijō-kan , the council of the ranking ministers of state. Most positions were attached to a certain rank, although it was not guaranteed that the holder of the office would be of the rank specified. Some positions appear to have had general rank guidelines instead of strict adherences. Other times, an officeholder may be of a greater rank than the office he held. For now, the list below is organized by rank, so some offices may show up more than once, depending on whether or not the precise rank is given (or known). Also, some offices had a different numbers of officeholders, and occasionally you even had supernumerary positions, usually indicated by the prefix 'Gon'. Another common prefix was 'Tō', indicating a member of the Imperial Families who held the office, although at many times this was almost superfluous as the Imperial Families hold most of the high-ranking offices within the government.

Jingi-kan ( De partment of Divinities )

Head (Haku)

Senior Assistant Head (Daifu)

Junior Assistant Head (Shōbu)

Senior Aide (Daiyū)

Junior Aide (Shōyū)

Senior Recorder (Daishi)

Daijō-kan ( Great Council of State)

Prime Minister (Dajōdaijin)

Minister of the Left (Sadaijin)

Minister of the Right (Udaijin)

Minister of the Center (Udaijin) [Later stood unfilled]

Secretary (Bettō) of the Office of the Sovereign's Secretaries and Chamberlains (Kurōdo-dokoro)

Major Counselor (Dainagon)

Middle Counselor (Chūnagon)

Royal Advisor (Sangi/Ōmatsurigoto-bito) [8 positions]

Major Controller (Daiben)

Controller of the Left (Sadaiben)

Controller of the Right (Udaiben)

Middle Controller (Chūben)

Minor Controller (Shōben)

Lesser Counselor (Shōnagon)

Senior Outer Clerk (Daigeki)

Senior Recorder (Daishi)

Junior Outer Clerk (Shōgaiki)

Junior Recorder (Shōshi)

Divisions of the Capital (Kyōshiki )

The Eight Ministries (Hasshō)

Controlling Board of the Left (Sabenkan-kyoku)

Ministry of Central Affairs (Nakatsukasa-shō)

Minister (Kyō)

Senior Assistant Minister (Taifu/Tayū)

Junior Assistant Minister (Shōbu)

Senior Inspector (Daigenmotsu)

Chamberlain (Jijū)

Senior Inner Clerk (Dainaiki)

Senior Secretary (Daijō)

Junior Secretary (Shōjō)

Senior Record keeper (Dairoku)

Junior Inner Clerk (Shōnaiki)

Junior Inspector (Shōgenmotsu)

Chief Ministry Clerk (Sakan)

Junior Recordkeeper (Shōroku)

Office of the Consort's Household (Chūgūshiki)

Comissioner (Daibu)

Assistant Master (Suke)

Senior Office Secretary (Daijin)

Junior Office Secretary (Shōshin)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Bureau of Palace Storehouses (Kura-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Senior Bureau Secretary (Daiin)

Junior Bureau Secretary (Shō In)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Bureau of Skilled Artisans (Takumi-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Senior Bureau Secretary (Daiin)

Junior Bureau Secretary (Shō In)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Bureau of Royal Attendants (Ōtoneri-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Assistant Director (Suke )

Senior Bureau Secretary (Daiin)

Junior Bureau Secretary (Shō In)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Bureau of Books and Drawings (Dzusho-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Senior Bureau Secretary (Daiin)

Junior Bureau Secretary (Shō In)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Bureau of the Wardrobe and Court Ladies (Nuidono-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Senior Bureau Secretary (Daiin)

Junior Bureau Secretary (Shō In)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Bureau of Divination (Onmyō-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Diviner (Onmyō)

Doctor of Astronomy (Tenmon Hakase)

Bureau Secretary (In)

Doctor of the Almanac (Koyomi Hakase)

Doctor of Timekeeping (Rōkoku Hakase)

Master of Divination (Onmyōji)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Ministry of Ceremonial (Shikibu-shō)

Minister (Kyō)

Senior Assistant Minister (Taifu/Tayū)

Junior Assistant Minister (Shōbu)

Senior Secretary (Daijō)

Junior Secretary (Shōjō)

Senior Recordkeeper (Dairoku)

Junior Recordkeeper (Shōroku)

Bureau of Education (Daigaku-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Doctor of Letters (Monjō Hakase)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Doctor of Sutras (Myōgyō Hakase)

Senior Bureau Secretary (Daiin)

Doctor of Law (Myōhō Hakase)

Assistant Teacher (Jokyō)

Junior Bureau Secretary (Shō In)

Doctor of Music (On Hakase)

Doctor of Texts (Sho Hakase)

Doctor of Numbers (San Hakase)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Ministry of Civil Administration (Jibu-shō)

Minister (Kyō)

Senior Assistant Minister (Taifu/Tayū)

Junior Assistant Minister (Shōbu)

Senior Secreatary (Daijō)

Junior Secretary (Shōjō)

Senior Recordkeeper (Dairoku)

Junior Recordkeeper (Shōroku)

Bureau of Music (Uta-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Senior Bureau Secretary (Daiin)

Junior Bureau Secretary (Shō In)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Bureau of Shinseism and Aliens (Genba-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Senior Bureau Secretary (Daiin)

Junior Bureau Secretary (Shō In)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Bureau of Royal Tombs (Shoryō-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Senior Bureau Secretary (Daiin)

Junior Bureau Secretary (Shō In)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Ministry of Popular Affairs (Minbu-shō)

Minister (Kyō)

Senior Assistant Minister (Taifu/Tayu)

Junior Assistant Minister (Shōbu)

Senior Secreatary (Daijō)

Junior Secretary (Shōjō)

Senior Recordkeeper (Dairoku)

Junior Recordkeeper (Shōroku)

Bureau of Statistics (Shukei-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Senior Bureau Secretary (Daiin)

Junior Bureau Secretary (Shō In)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Bureau of Taxation (Shuzei-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Senior Bureau Secretary (Daiin)

Junior Bureau Secretary (Shō In)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Controlling Board of the Right (Ubenkan-kyoku)

Ministry of War (Hyōbu-shō)

Minister (Kyō)

Senior Assistant Minister (Taifu/Tayū)

Junior Assistant Minister (Shōbu)

Senior Secretary (Daijō)

Junior Secretary (Shōjō)

Senior Recordkeeper (Dairoku)

Junior Recordkeeper (Shōroku)

Office of the Hayato (Hayato no Tsukasa)

Chief (Shō)

Aide (Yū)

Ministry of Justice (Gyōbu-shō)

Minister (Kyō)

Senior Assistant Minister (Taifu/Tayū)

Major Judge (Daihanji)

Junior Assistant Minister (Shōbu)

Senior Secreatary (Daijō)

Middle Judge (Chūhanji)

Junior Secretary (Shōjō)

Minor Judge (Shōhanji)

Senior Recordkeeper (Dairoku)

Judge (Hanji)

Junior Recordkeeper (Shōroku)

Office of Prisons (Shūgoku no Tsukasa)

Chief (Shō)

Aide (Yū)

Ministry of the Treasury (Ōkura-shō)

Minister (Kyō)

Senior Assistant Minister (Taifu/Tayū)

Junior Assistant Minister (Shōbu)

Senior Secreatary (Daijō)

Junior Secretary (Shōjō)

Senior Recordkeeper (Dairoku)

Junior Recordkeeper (Shōroku)

Office of Weaving (Oribe no Tsukasa)

Chief (Shō)

Aide (Yū)

Ministry of the Sovereign's Household (Kunai-shō)

Minister (Kyō)

Senior Assistant Minister (Taifu/Tayū)

Junior Assistant Minister (Shōbu)

Senior Secreatary (Daijō)

Junior Secretary (Shōjō)

Senior Recordkeeper (Dairoku)

Junior Recordkeeper (Shōroku)

Office of the Palace Table (Daizen-shiki)

Master (Daibu/Daifu)

Assistant Master (Suke)

Senior Office Secretary (Daijin)

Junior Office Secretary (Shōshin)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Bureau of Carpentry (Moku-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Senior Bureau Secretary (Daiin)

Junior Bureau Secretary (Shō In)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Bureau of the Palace Kitchen (Ōi-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Bureau Secretary (In)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Bureau of Palace Equipment (Tonoma-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Bureau Secretary (In)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Bureau of Palace Upkeep (Kamon-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Bureau Secretary (In)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Bureau of Medicine (Tenyaku-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Attending Physician (Shii)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Master Physician (I-hakase)

Physician (Ishi)

Acupunturist (Hari Hakase)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Office of the Royal Family (Ōkimi no Tsukasa)

Chief (Shō)

Office of Sake (Zōshu no Tsukasa)

Chief (Shō)

Office of the Royal Table (Naizen no Tsukasa)

Chief (Shō)

Chief Clerk of the Table (Naizen no Kami)

Clerk of the Table (Tenzen)

Office of the Palace Women (Uneme no Tsukasa)

Chief (Shō)

Aide (Yū)

Office of Water (Mondono-kyoku)

Chief (Sho)

Board of Censors ( Danjō-dai )

President (In)

Sr. Assistant President (Daihitsu)

Jr. Assistant President (Shōhitsu)

Senior Clerk (Daiso)

Junior Clerk (Shōzo)

Left Division of the Inner Palace Guards (Sakon'e-fu)

Major Captain (Taishō)

Middle Captain (Chūjō)

Minor Captain (Shōshō)

Lieutenant (Shōkan)

Assistant Lieutenant (Shōzō)

Right Division of the Inner Palace Guards (Ukon'e-fu)

Major Captain (Taishō)

Middle Captain (Chūjō)

Minor Captain (Shōshō)

Lieutenant (Shōkan)

Assistant Lieutenant (Shōzō)

Left Division of the Outer Palace Guards (Saemon-fu)

Captain (Kami)

Assistant Captain (Suke)

Sr. Lieutenant (Daijō)

Junior Lieutenant (Shōjō)

Senior Assistant Lieutenant (Daishi)

Junior Assistant Lieutenant (Shōshō)

Right Division of the Outer Palace Guards (Uemon-fu)

Captain (Kami)

Assistant Captain (Suke)

Sr. Lieutenant (Daijō)

Junior Lieutenant (Shōjō)

Senior Assistant Lieutenant (Daishi )

Junior Assistant Lieutenant (Shōshō )

Left Division of the Middle Palace Guards (Sahyōe-fu)

Captain (Kami)

Assistant Captain (Suke)

Sr. Lieutenant (Daijō)

Junior Lieutenant (Shōjō)

Senior Assistant Lieutenant (Daishi)

Junior Assistant Lieutenant (Shōshō)

Right Division of the Middle Palace Guards (Uhyōe-fu)

Captain (Kami)

Assistant Captain (Suke)

Sr. Lieutenant (Daijō)

Junior Lieutenant (Shōjō)

Senior Assistant Lieutenant (Daishi)

Junior Assistant Lieutenant (Shōshō)

Bureau of the Left Stables (Sama-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Senior Bureau Secretary (Daiin)

Junior Bureau Secretary (Shō In)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Bureau of the Right Stables (Ume-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Senior Bureau Secretary (Daiin)

Junior Bureau Secretary (Shōin)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Bureau of the Left Military Storehouses (Sahyōgo-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Senior Bureau Secretary (Daiin)

Junior Bureau Secretary (Shōin)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Bureau of the Right Military Storehouses (Uhyōgo-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Senior Bureau Secretary (Daiin)

Junior Bureau Secretary (Shōin)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Office of the High Priestess of Ise (Saigū-ryō)

Chief (Kami)

Assistant Director (Suke)

Senior Bureau Secretary (Daiin)

Junior Bureau Secretary (Shōin)

Magistrate (Jō)

Clerk (Soku)

Office of the High Priestess of Kamo (Saiin no Tsukasa)

Secretary (Chōkan)

Undersecretary (Jikan)

Office of Palace Repairs (Shurishiki)

Comissioner (Daibu)

Assistant Master (Suke)

Senior Office Secretary (Daijin)

Junior Office Secretary (Shōshin)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Office of the Crown Prince's Quarters (Tōgūbō )

Comissioner (Daibu)

Assistant Master (Suke)

Senior Office Secretary (Daijin)

Junior Office Secretary (Shōshin)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Women's Quarters of the Palace ( Kōkyū )

Lady of the Storehouse (Shōzō)

Lady of Tables (Shōzen)

Lady of Sewing (Shōhō)

Consort (Nyōgo)

Clothing Attendant (Koromogae)

Table Attendant (Tenzen)

Sewing Attendant (Tenhō)

Lady of Letters (Shōsho)

Lady (Shōden)

Sake-Serving Lady (Shōjū)

Palace Attendants Office (Naishi)

Lady-in-Waiting (Naishi no kami)

Handmaid (Naishi no suke)

Assistant Handmaid (Naishi no Jō)

Crown Prince's Quarters (Tōgū-bō)

Head Tutor (Fū )

Teacher of the Classics (Gakushi)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Outside Offices (Ryōge no Kan)

Office of Investigators of the Records of Outgoing Officials (Kageyushi-chō )

Secretary (Chōkan)

Undersecretary (Jikan)

Magistrate (Jō)

Chief Ministry Clerk (Sakan)

Office of Police and Judicial Chief (Kebiishi-chō)

Secretary (Bettō)

Assistant Captain (Suke)

Sr. Lieutenant (Daijō)

Junior Lieutenant (Shōjō)

Senior Assistant Lieutenant (Daishi)

Junior Assistant Lieutenant (Shōshō)

Office of the Sovereign's Secretaries and Chamberlains (Kurōdo-dokoro)

Secretary (Bettō)

Chief (Kami)

Regional Divisions ( Chihōkan )

Left [Eastern] Capital Offices (Sakyōshiki)

Comissioner (Daibu)

Assistant Master (Suke)

Senior Office Secretary (Daijin)

Junior Office Secretary (Shōshin)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Right [Western] Capital Offices (Ukyōshiki)

Comissioner (Daibu)

Assistant Master (Suke)

Senior Office Secretary (Daijin)

Junior Office Secretary (Shōshin)

Senior Officer (Daisoku)

Junior Officer (Shōsoku)

Dazai-fu Viceroy ()

Senior Assistant Governor General (Daini)

Jr. Assistant Governor General (Shōni)

Senior Overseer (Daikan)

Junior Overseer (Shōkan)

Senior Clerk (Daiten)

Junior Clerk (Shōten)

Provincial Offices (Kokushi OR Kuni-no-tsukasa)

Provincial Governor (Kami)

Assistant Provincial Governor (Suke)

Senior Provincial Inspector (Daien)

Junior Provincial Inspector (Shōen)

Senior Provincial Administrator (Daimoku)

Junior Provinicial Administrator (Shōmoku)

Edited by TheWanderingJewels

Re-edited for Clairty

Coulda used this at the last Winter Court... dead handy as it is! Thanks!

I try to help how I can :)

Hah -- I've had both of these threads open in tabs since you first posted them, and wound up reading them (and commenting on them) in the wrong order. THIS is the meat I've been looking for! Seriously, I've been meaning for ages to dig up the actual Japanese system and see if it could be adapted to L5R; now you've done the work for me. Thank you so much!

Out of curiosity, what's your source for all this? I'd love to read more -- what precise period it's from, details on the different offices (e.g. what the Office of the Royal Family covers that isn't in the bailiwick of some other office), and so forth.

I suspect I'll wind up treating this as the bureaucratic structure for each Great Clan, rather than just at an Imperial level; the population numbers and geographic diversity of Rokugan mean that I imagine it as vastly larger than the scale given in the Atlas. (Seriously, the Spine of the World mountain range is less than twenty miles wide? I don't buy it.) Ergo, I see each Great Clan as having enough people to justify this level of bureaucracy serving the Clan Champion.

Sadly the information I had dug up was the list of titles and little else, so I worked hard on getting it organized. The actual system If memory serves correctly ATM is the early shogun era. I'll need to go back and look at my notes.