奈良시대의 渡來系官人의 승진 -五位이상 귀족관인의 승진형태를 중심으로-

The Promotion of Officials of Overseas Origins in the Nara Period

The aim of this paper is to understand the aristocratic bureaucracy and society of ancient Japan by examining how the officials of overseas origins were promoted to and above the 5th rank in the Nara official hierarchy. As the system of legal codes (ritsuryo) was introduced and established, officials became promoted on merit. However, many people of overseas origins were excluded from the appointment of the government post. This promotion is not continued in the next era. During the reign of Emperor Shomu a new bureaucratic system called the naigaikai system was established. The new system required the people of overseas origins to be appointed to the posts below the 5th rank. Contrary to the previous system, the new system favored their talent. This led to a sharp rise in the number of their appointment. As the system became loosened, the number of people promoted above the fifth rank increased. This trend continued until the reign of Emperor Kammu. The new system favored those who had worked in the posts for a certain period of time. Many officials of overseas origins worked as scribes and were appointed above the fifth rank. The era of Fujiwara no Nakamaro marked a watershed in the history of official appointment of people of overseas origins. During this period the system of bureaucratic ranks were clarified. It continued to function during the second half of the Nara period and occupy the central position in the appointment and promotion of people of overseas origins.