A redressed Ritsuryo system for L5R as I'm not getting paid for this. This will be posted in segments as this is rather a lot of information

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.

1. Jingi-kan (Department of Divinities)

Head (Haku)

Senior Assistant Head (Daifu)

Junior Assistant Head (Shōbu)

Senior Aide (Daiyū)

Junior Aide (Shōyū)

Senior Recorder (Daishi)

2. 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)

Middle Controller (Chūben)

Minor Controller (Shōben)

Lesser Counselor (Shōnagon)

Senior Outer Clerk (Daigeki)

Senior Recorder (Daishi)

Junior Outer Clerk (Shōgaiki)

Junior Recorder (Shōshi)

Controller of the Left (Sadaiben)

Controller of the Right (Udaiben)

3. 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 Secreatary (Daijō)

Junior Secretary (Shōjō)

Senior Recordkeeper (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 Secreatary (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) AKA The Imperial Palace

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)

Acupuncturist (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)

Viceroy (Dazai-fu)
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)

and that's that

You left out an important, if strictly speaking external, part of the hierarchy; the Sekkan (Sessho or Kampaku).

Most of the time they would wield more power than the Daijō-daijin

knew I was missing something...

So, kudos on putting together a listing of ritsuryo positions. That's useful info to have. You set your games as if they were mostly during the Sengoku period, right? How does that jive with the idea that, while it was still in place, even up through the early Meiji, the Ritsuryo hierarchy sort of lost its power by the end of the Heian period? I realize that L5R functions differently from historical Japan and so you can totally make that work. I'm not saying you're wrong (even though it totally looks like I'm saying that), I'm more wondering how you resolve the differences in cultural emphasis between the Heian (When the Ritsuryo and the Nobles held TONS of power and the samurai weren't even really a thing yet) and the Sengoku (When the Emperor was a quaint joke and warrior samurai were really on top of their game.) Inquiring minds want to know!

18 hours ago, Aedo said:

So, kudos on putting together a listing of ritsuryo positions. That's useful info to have. You set your games as if they were mostly during the Sengoku period, right? How does that jive with the idea that, while it was still in place, even up through the early Meiji, the Ritsuryo hierarchy sort of lost its power by the end of the Heian period? I realize that L5R functions differently from historical Japan and so you can totally make that work. I'm not saying you're wrong (even though it totally looks like I'm saying that), I'm more wondering how you resolve the differences in cultural emphasis between the Heian (When the Ritsuryo and the Nobles held TONS of power and the samurai weren't even really a thing yet) and the Sengoku (When the Emperor was a quaint joke and warrior samurai were really on top of their game.) Inquiring minds want to know!

Well I've studied the Sengoku and other periods and with Rokugan's rather colorful history (see Imperial Histories I & II for examples) the tendency towards Centralization has waxed and waned a bit. It has definitely swung between the Nobles, the samurai, and samurai who became the nobles by default over time, as court battles between traditionalists (Riffing on Chinese nobles who had a tendency to look at 'Old ways are the best ways') and some that were more liberal in outlook. When I started setting up the background in mine, I looked at the background. The Court of Hantei XXXVIII was weak and rather degenerate at the time, but managed stability through it's system of favors it worked with the crane and others. While perhaps somewhat less than honorable, one way to do this 'honoring the loyal servants of the Empire' (translation: Bribing/purchasing loyalty) by giving social positions to the 'correct' servants, but spreading it out enough to keep things stable (and from anyone clan getting too bitter they might do something about it) It was by many standards corrupt, but kept the clans vying for favor, as opposed to power. And favoring the Traditionalist samurai of each clan over the more liberal ones kept things going during this reign. And all those positions being open meant more favors. Balancing this with properly honoring Honorable and loyal clan members, (The Hantei were good at this) also helped. So really, a bit of a hybrid system of both perspectives. When the Scorpion Clan Coup hit, The new Shoju royal family kept this system going and used it like a scalpe to cause enough confusion and hesitance to let them cement themselves in. Currently Shoju II is, much the the Lions amusement, far more honorable than the Hantei has been, and open to more liberal ideas on governance. Which is causing problems

Ah, I think I see. If I'm understanding you right, the Hantei XXXVIII, implementation of this system is that the Hantei and perhaps those close to him cannot wield much direct power and so they use the reward of positions of high power and visibility as a kind of currency when when paying for favors from Clan leaders. However, by bringing many clans into the Imperial structure, it ensures that no one clan gains an upper hand and simultaneously fulfills the Otomo imperative of keeping the Clans at each other's throats as they vie for Imperial positions. Furthermore, by weighting how positions are given out toward more conservative samurai, the Emperor can start to praise the idea of traditionalism in the public zeitgeist without having to sing the "Tradition" song from Fiddler on the Roof in front of large groups of people. Is that more or less correct?

Yes. Now add to this concept that given the mystical nature of the setting that you can talk to ancestors. Are the Ancestors going to like change overly much in how things are done unless there is pressing reason? They will be mired in the Old Ways and will likely give advice that reflects this. And piousness is following ancestral advice. You can see where this is going...

As my players like the large amount of detail, I went with the above, as it gives the impression of a spawling empire