明代の内閣 : 特にその職掌と制度及び閣臣の出自について

Abstract

The present article is a continuation of the author's former article, The Formation and Development of the Prime Minister's Office in the Ming Dynasty, in the Tohogaku, No. 21, where he divided its history into four stages (1) the nebulous period under T'aitsu, (2) the prototype established by Huiti, (3) the period of its continuation under Ch'engtsu and (4) its consummation in the form similar to the ancient hsiangfu (Prime Minister's Office) under Jentsung and Hsuantsung. In this article the author explains each of the aforesaid four stages more in detail, elucidating the relation this institution with absolute monarchy.