DAJOKAN

   Great Council of State, presided over by the Chancellor, dajo-daijin and responsible for matsuri-goto. According to the ancient Ritsuryo system the Dajokan together with the Jingikan constituted the two branches of government. What is often called 'the Dajokan system' was the form of organisation used for the Meiji government from its inception in 1868 until 1885 when a cabinet style government was formed. Initially it vested authority in a single source, the Dajokan, following what it proclaimed to be the ancient principle of saisei itchi 'unity of rites and government'. In the following year the jingikan was created as an agency of government equal or superior to the Dajokan.