渤海の地方統治體制 : 一つの試論として

Abstract

Fu 府 and zhou 州, governmental units modeled upon governmental systems of Koguryo 高句麗, were established in Palhae to rule the area. They functioned both as administrative organizations and as military organizations. The villages of Malgal 靺鞨, castles 城邑 of Koguryo became the nucleus of the system. The fu and zhou of Palhae ultimately differed from the Chinese administrative units of the same name. Instead, they comprised such villages or castles｡ The local ruling class, designated with the official term "leader" shouling 首領, were absorbed into the governmental structure in such a way that their local authority was recognized. It is certain that the range of jurisdiction of the fu was also based upon local powers. The essential weakness of Palhae government may be seen in the fact that these local powers could not be broken. In other words, there was a possibility that the smaller powers in each of the localities would begin their own movements if the governing strength of the central authorities were ever to weaken. It may be postulated that the "Five Capitals 五京" system was established in order to extend the unifying strength of the central authorities over the smaller powers in the localities.