Sangi (Japan)

Sangi (参議) was a high-ranking court official in the Japanese Imperial Court, primarily during the Nara and Heian periods (710-1185). The position was a member of the Kugyo (公卿), the highest echelon of court officials who advised the Emperor.

The Sangi acted as councilors, deliberating on important matters of state and advising the Emperor on policy. They participated in important government rituals and ceremonies. The title translates roughly to "Councilor" or "State Councillor."

The Daijō-kan (太政官), the Department of State, included the Sangi. The number of Sangi varied over time, but it was typically around eight. Appointment to the position was generally reserved for members of the aristocracy, particularly the Fujiwara clan, although merit and imperial favor also played a role.

While the power and influence of the Sangi fluctuated depending on the era and the reigning emperor, it consistently represented a significant position in the Japanese government structure. The Sangi system was eventually modified and evolved, eventually leading to other advisory bodies within the government.