Shiki (a rank in government offices under ritsuryo system) (職 (律令制))
Shiki was a rank in government offices under the ritsuryo system.
Summary
Shiki was an organization to take charge of clerical work along with Ryo (ritsuryo system) and Tsukasa (also known as Shi) and to rule special areas (like Kyoto), mainly under the ministries (two ministries of Nakatsukasasho and Kunaisho). Shiki was ranked higher than Ryo and Tsukasa and relatively independent of higher organizations. Shitokan, the regular officials, were called Daibu (Kami) - Suke - Jo - Sakan.
Since Togubo and Shiki had completely the same configuration of Shitokan, corresponding court ranks and the like, Togubo is considered to have been a kind of Shiki.
Shiki can be classified further into two ranks according to the court ranks of the officials and the like.
List of Shiki
Shitokan of Daishiki were Daibu (Junior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade) - Suke (Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade) - Daijo (Junior Sixth Rank, Upper Grade) - Shojo (Junior Sixth Rank, Lower Grade) - Daisakan (Senior Eighth Rank, Lower Grade) - Shosakan (Junior Eighth Rank, Upper Grade.)
Chugushiki (Nakatsukasasho)
Shurishiki (Ryoge, Independent)
Togubo (Independent)
Shitokan of Shoshiki included Daibu (Senior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade) - Suke (Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade) - Daijo (Junior Sixth Rank, Lower Grade) - Shojo (Senior Seventh Rank, Upper Grade) - Daisakan (Senior Eighth Rank, Lower Grade) - Shosakan (Junior Eighth Rank, Upper Grade).
Daizenshiki (Kunaisho)
Kyoshiki (Daijokan) *
Settsushiki
Other Shiki
Kawachishiki - Under the Dokyo administration, this was established to replace Kawachikokushi. Zogushiki - This was established at each time when a palace was built.
* Later, Daizenshiki was raised to Daishiki. Note: Kyoshiki and Settsushiki were governing organizations for ruling special areas.