Kunaicho Shikibushoku (the Board of the Ceremonies of the Imperial Household Agency) (宮内庁式部職)

Shikibushoku is one of the departments of the Imperial Household Agency.

Office duties

Office duties of the Shikibushoku are based on the seventh article of the Imperial Household Agency Act.

Office duties in regard to ceremonies
Office duties in regard to association
Office duties in regard to gagaku (ancient Japanese court dance and music)

Staff

Grand Master of the Ceremonies
A person in charge of the Shikibushoku.

Vice-Grand Master of the Ceremonies
One Vice-Grand Master of the Ceremonies is in charge of ceremonies in the Imperial Family, and the other Vice-Grand Master of the Ceremonies is in charge of international goodwill.

Official responsible for court ceremonies

Gakubu section

The section is in charge of playing not only gagaku but also classic music in a banquet at the Imperial Palace.

Shuseki gakucho (grand master of music), Gakucho (master of music), Gakuchoho (sub master of music), and Gakushi (musician) are entitled to the holders of Important Intangible Cultural Properties (Living National Treasure). Staff (Gakusei) becomes full-fledged after nine-year training since entering a junior high school.

The positions used to be heredity successions of the Togi clan, the Ue clan, the Sono clan, and the like.

[Original Japanese]