This episode we finish out the Taika reforms, or at least the edicts of the Taika era. Some were around names, and others about the formation of the court, the various ministries, and new rank and cap systems. The latter went through at least two iterations, updating the previous twelve rank system developed under the 17 Article Constitution.

12 Rank System

The 12 Rank system that was purportedly developed by Umayado was as follows:

1. Daitoku (大徳) - Greater Virtue

2. Shōtoku (小徳) - Lesser Virtue

3. Dainin (大仁) - Greater Humanity

4. Shōnin (小仁) - Lesser Humanity

5. Dairai (大礼) - Greater Propriety

6. Shōrai (小礼) - Lesser Propriety

7. Daishin (大信) - Greater Faith

8. Shōnin (小信) - Lesser Faith

9. Daigi (大義) - Greater Justice

10. Shōgi (小義) - Lesser Justice

11. Daichi (大智) - Greater Wisdom

12. Shōchi (小智) - Lesser Wisdom

Cap Rank System of 647

Six of the ranks were divided into Greater and Lesser and the rest were

1. Shoku-kwan (織冠 - woven crown):  It was made of woven stuff and embroidered on the borders.  The color of the clothing was dark purple.

2. Shu-kwan (繍冠 - embroidered crown): Made of embroidered stuff.  Otherwise the edges and the clothing were the same as Shoku-kwan.

3. Shi-kwan (紫冠 - purple crown): Made of purple material and a border of woven stuff.  The clothing was light purple.

4. Kin-kwan (錦冠 - brocade crown): The Greater cap was made of Dai-hakusen brocade (大伯仙錦) and the cape border of woven stuff.  The lesser cap was made of Shou-hakusen (小伯仙錦) brocade with a border of Dai-hakusen brocade.  The clothing for both was dark red.

5. Sei-kwan (青冠 - blue crown): Made of blue silk.  Border of Dai-hakusen brocade.  The color of the clothing was deep violet [kon]

6. Kok-kwan (黒冠 - black crown): Made of black silk.  Greater rank cap had a border of wheel-pattern brocade and the lesser cap had a border of diamond-pattern brocade.  The color of the clothing was green [midori]

7. Kembu (建武 - establish valor) aka Risshin (立身 - Advancement): The cap was made of black silk and a border of dark violet.

They also made tou-kwan (鐙冠 - stirrup caps) with a "tail" of varnished gauze behind.  A kanmuri, like the tsubo-kanmuri.

Distinctions of rank were indicated by the border and hair ornaments in the shape of a cicada.  The hair ornaments of the grades from Lesser Kin-kwan upwards were a combination of gold and silver.  The hair ornaments of the Greater and Lesser Seikwan were silver, and the hair ornaments of the Greater and Lesser Kok-kwan were copper.  Kembu caps had no hair ornaments. 

Cap Ranks of 649

1. Dai-shiki (大織 - Greater Woven Stuff)

2. Shou-shiki (小織 - Lesser Woven Stuff)

3. Dai-shuu (大繍 - Greater Embroidery)

4. Shou-shuu (小繍 - Lesser Embroidery)

5. Dai-shi (大紫 - Greater Purple)

6. Shou-shi (小紫 - Lesser Purple)

7. Upper Daikwa (大華上 - Greater Flower, Upper)

8. Lower Daikwa (大華下 - Greater Flower, Lower)

9. Upper Shoukwa (小華上 - Lesser Flower, Upper)

10. Lower Shoukwa (小華下 - Lesser Flower, Lower)

11. Upper Daisen (大山上 - Greater Mountain, Upper)

12. Lower Daisen (大山下 - Greater Mountain, Lower)

13. Upper Shousen (小山上 - Lesser Mountain, Upper)

14. Lower Shousen (小山下 - Lesser Mountain, Lower)

15. Upper Daiotsu (大乙上 - Greater Tiger [OR Kingfisher], Upper)

16. Lower Daiotsu (大乙下 - Greater Tiger, Lower)

17. Upper Shouotsu (小乙上 - Lesser Tiger, Upper)

18. Lower Shouotsu (小乙下 - Lesser Tiger, Lower)

19. Risshin (立身 - Advancement)

We aren’t given the specific color combinations of caps and garments for these ranks as we had with the others, above.

References

• Aston, W. G. (1972). Nihongi, chronicles of Japan from the earliest times to A.D. 697. London: Allen & Unwin. ISBN0-80480984-4

• Knox, George William (1903). The Early Institutional Life of Japan, a Study in the Reform of 645 A. D. By K. ASAKAWA, Ph.D. The American Historical Review, Volume 11, Issue 1, October 1905, Pages 128–129