Ministry of the Center
The (lit. the department of the inner (or privy) affairs) 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. This ministry encompassed those of the Imperial Household whose functions brought them closest to the emperor. The ceremonies of the Imperial Household evolved over time. Among those holding the highest office in the Imperial Household ministry was Takaharu"-shinnō", who would later become Emperor Go-Daigo. History. The ceremonial nature of the  Imperial Household has changed over time. The Ministry was established in 649 as a liaison between the "Daijō-kan" and the Emperor. The ambit of the Ministry's activities encompasses, for example: Hierarchy. Amongst the significant "Daijō-kan" officials within this ministry structure were: In the Meiji period, a variant equerry was introduced as part of the Imperial retinue. As explained in an excerpt from the :