The (lit. the department of governance affairs) was a division of the eighth century Japanese government of the Imperial Court in Kyoto), and it is sometimes identified as the "Ministry of the Interior". 
History.
It was instituted as part of the Taika Reforms and "Ritsuryō" laws in the Asuka period and formalized during the Heian period. It was previously called "Osamuru-tsukasa." The ministry was replaced in the Meiji period. Today the Board of Ceremonies (宮内庁式部職 ; "Shikibu shoku") of the Imperial Household Agency is the successor.
Overview.
The ministry was organized to address the ceremonial aspects of the Imperial year, to manage the ceremonial nature of formal relations with China, Korea, and other nations, and to oversee the maintenance of Imperial tombs and mausoleums. The ceremonies of the Imperial Household evolved over time.
The ambit of the Ministry's activities encompasses, for example:
This ministry was also responsible for rules for noble families above the fifth rank.
Hierarchy.
The top ritsuryō officials within this ministry structure were:
Notes.
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