天命年間の世職制度について

Abstract

The so-called system ot shizhi 世職 is a system of hereditary officials peculiar to the Qing dynasty. It originated in the 5th year of Tianming (AD 1630) with the establishment through Nurhaci (Emperor Taizu 太祖) of the following military ranks : zongbingguan 總兵官, fujiang 副將, caniiang 參將, youji 遊擊, as well as beiyu 備禦. First Nurhaci had given such appointment to ambasa and niru-i-ejete, his influential vassalls, whom he had ordered to live in the capital. They were granted exemption from grain tax as well as immunity of punishment because of their particularly meritorious service and excellent faculties. They were also permitted to hand down their special priviledges to their sons and grandsons. Thus their position was mainly based on merit, however, should one of them commit a serious blunder, position and priviledges were easily withdrawn. This organization of military officials has frequently been confused with the "eight banner system" 八旗制度, but in fact these are two coexisting independent forms of organization. After the Tianming era, the system of hereditary officials (shizhi) has been given different names time and again. In the 1st year of Qianlong 乾隆 (1736), it was finally called the Five Ranks of Nobility 五等爵 of ancient Chinese tradition.