Udaijin facts for kids
The Udaijin (pronounced Oo-dye-jin) was an important government job in ancient Japan. It was like being a top minister or advisor to the Emperor. This position was part of the Japanese government during the late Nara period and the Heian period, which were times long ago in Japanese history.
What Was the Udaijin's Role?
The job of Udaijin was officially created in the year 702. This happened when a set of new laws, called the Taihō Code, was put into place. The Udaijin worked as part of a special group called the daijō-kan, which was like a Council of State.
This council had three very powerful leaders:
- The Chancellor or Prime Minister, known as the daijō-daijin. This was the highest position.
- The Minister of the Left, called the sadaijin. This person was usually second in command.
- The Minister of the Right, which was the Udaijin. This position was very important, often working closely with the Minister of the Left.
These three ministers helped the Emperor run the country. They made big decisions about how Japan was governed.
When Did This System Change?
The system of government set up by the Taihō Code, including the Udaijin position, lasted for many centuries. However, it was eventually replaced with a new government structure during the Meiji period. This period began in the late 1800s, bringing many changes to Japan.
