Sesshō and Kampaku

Sesshō and Kampaku

• • See also: Court Titles, Imperial Titles, Provincial Titles, Be, Uji

The Sesshō and Kampaku were high ranking titles connected to the Imperial Throne.

The Sesshō (摂政) was a title bestowed on those who would be a regent for a child emperor, with Kampaku (関白) being for regents of adult Emperors. This job involved assisting the Emperor in governing.

The idea of this imperial office is said to have been based of a chinese model seen in old chinese documents.

In regards to the title of sesshō, the first to have held this title was Shōtoku Taisha when he acted as sesshō for his mother Emperor Suiko. Later this title was taken by the Fujiwara Clan with the first to hold this title being Fujiwara no Yoshifusa in 866 after he placed his grandson Emperor Seiwa onto the throne.

The title of kampaku was first held by Fujiwara no Mototsune in 887¹ (884²) where he assisted the Emperor Kōkō.

After this time, the Fujiwara family had a monopoly on this title and held it virtually unchallenged until the Meiji Restoration. It was only briefly held by those outside the family in the 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Toyotomi Hidetsugu.

These titles did wane in power over time after the establishment of the Insei System by retired Emperors in the 11th century.

In 1889 and 1947 revisions were made to the Imperial Household Law which gave provisions for the title of sesshō.¹ Since 1947 this title can only be appointed if the reigning Emperor is under the age of 18.²

List of those who held the title:

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.

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