Ministry of the Treasury

Overview

The nature of the ministry was modified in response to changing times. The ambit of the Ministry's activities encompasses, for example:

administration of public accounts

oversight of tax collections and of offerings to the Emperor

regulation of weights and measures

control of the functuations in prices of commodities

regulation and oversight of the coinage of gold, silver, copper, and iron money

maintenance of the lists of artisans engaged in coinage-related activities

regulation of activities in the manufacture of lacquer ware, weaving, and other kinds of industries

History

The duties, responsibilities and focus of the ministry evolved over time. It was established as part of the Taika Reforms and Ritsuryō laws. Since 1885, Ōkura-shō has been construed in reference to the Ministry of Finance, also called the Ōkura no Tsukasa.

Hierarchy

The court included a ministry dealing with military affairs.

Amongst the significant daijō-kan officials serving in this ministry structure were:

Chief administrator of the ministry of the treasury (大蔵卿, Ōkura-kyō). This official supervises the receipt of tributes from the provinces and imposes tribute on others.

Chief administrator of the ministry of the treasury (大蔵大輔, Ōkura-taifu)

First assistant to the chief of the ministry of the treasury (大蔵少輔, Ōkura-shō)

Second assistant to the chief of the ministry of the treasury (大蔵丞, Ōkura-no-jō), two positions

Alternate assistant to the chief of the ministry of the treasury (大蔵録, Ōkura-no-sakan), two positions

Collector of taxation from manufacturers and dyers (織部正, Oribe-no-kami)

Assistant collector of taxation from manufacturers and dyers (織部佑, Oribe-no-jō)

Alternate assistant collector of taxation from manufacturers and dyers (織部令史, Oribe-no-sakan)