DAJOKAN

Great Council of State, presided over by the Chancellor, dajo-daijin and responsible formatsuri-goto. According to the ancientRitsuryosystem the Dajokan together with theJingikanconstituted the two branches of government. What is often called 'the Dajokan system' was the form of organisation used for theMeijigovernment from its inception in 1868 until 1885 when a cabinet style government was formed. Initially it vested authority in a single source, the Dajokan, following what it proclaimed to be the ancient principle ofsaisei itchi'unity of rites and government'. In the following year thejingikanwas created as an agency of government equal or superior to the Dajokan.