Ministry of War (pre-modern Japan)

The Ministry of War (兵部省), sometimes called Tsuwamono no Tsukasa, was a division of the eighth century Japanese government of the Imperial Court in Kyoto, instituted in the Asuka period and formalized during the Heian period. The Ministry was replaced in the Meiji period.

Overview
The highest-ranking official or head of the military (兵部卿,) was ordinarily a son or a close relative of the Emperor. This important court officer was responsible for directing all military matters; and after the beginning in the late 12th century, this military man would have been empowered to work with the shogunate on the emperor's behalf.

The ambit of the Ministry's activities encompasses, for example:
 * oversight of the rosters of military officers, including examinations, appointment, ranks, etc.
 * dispatching of troops
 * supervision of arsenals of weapons, guards, fortifications and signal fires
 * maintenance of pastures, military horses, and public and private horses and cattle
 * administration of postal stations
 * control of the manufacture of weapons and weapon-makers
 * oversight of drumming and in flute playing
 * control of public and private means of water transportation
 * regulation of the training of hawks and dogs.

History
The ministry was established as part of the Taika Reforms and Ritsuryō laws which were initiated in the Asuka period and formalized during the Heian period. After 702, the Hyōbu-shō replaced the Hyōseikan, which was created in 683.

In the Edo period, titles associated with the ministry became ceremonial titles.

In the Meiji period, the hyōbu-shō was reorganized into a modern Ministry of War and Ministry of the Navy.

Hierarchy
The Asuka-, Nara- and Heian-period Imperial court hierarchy encompassed a ministry dealing with military affairs.

In the 18th century, the top ritsuryō officials within this ministry structure were:


 * Minister or chief official (兵部卿), usually a son or a close relative of the Emperor.
 * First assistant to the Minister (兵部大輔).
 * Second assistant to the Minister (兵部少輔).
 * Senior staff officer (兵部大丞).
 * Junior staff officers (兵部少丞), two positions.
 * Director of dance (隼人正), considered a very low rank.
 * First assistant director (隼人佑).
 * Alternate assistant director (隼人令史).