<論説>国の昇格と国府の変容

Abstract

国には大上中下の等級があった。それに応じて国司の定員および公廨稲の束数などが段階的に規定されていた。それらの変遷を通じて国格の昇降を推定し得る。他方国府の規模も原則的に大・上国では方八町、中国は方六町以下、下国は方五町以下であったと判断される。そこで国の等級が上った場合国府の規模が拡幅された可能性が考えられる。すなわち周防・肥前・阿波・筑後・豊後の諸国府について方六町より方八町への拡幅を推定し、尾張・甲斐・若狭・備後・安芸・豊前の諸国府については薪国府の立地移動について既往の諸説を検討した。

Ancient Imperial Japan was divided into about 70 provinces. They were graded in four grades, namely large, upper, middle and lower. The plan of Kokufu (Administration Center of province) was also graded. 8 cho (1 cho≒109 m) square for large and upper province, 6 cho square for middle, and 5 cho square for lower province. When provincial status was raised, the plan of Kokufu would be raised accordingly. The author discussed plans of Kokufu of Suwo (present Hofu city), Awa (present Tokushima city) and Chikugo (present Kurume city) and concluded that plans were enlarged from middle rank to upper rank. On the other hand, many other provinces which were ranked higher, established new Kokufus with larger scale at another places. The shiftings of Kokufu were discussed in Wowari (Aichi prefecture), Kai (Yamanashi pref.), Wakasa, (Fukui pref.), Bingo, Aki (Hiroshima pref.) , Buzen, and Bungo provinces (Oita pref.) .