also: しゅてん · そうかん
noun
Lowest of the four administrative ranks (四等官) in the ritsuryō system; a historical bureaucratic position.
See also: 四等官
主典は律令制の四等官の一つで、文書作成や記録を担当した。
The sakan was one of the four ranks in the ritsuryō system, responsible for drafting documents and keeping records.
noun
shrine official (below negi)
Only with reading しゅてん
Obsolete term for a shrine official ranking below a negi (禰宜); used only with the reading しゅてん.
See also: 禰宜
古文書には、しゅてんという神社の役職が記されている。
In old documents, the shrine post called shuten is recorded.
Obsolete kana usage; this reading is out-dated.
The term originates from the ritsuryō administrative system, where 主典 denoted a low-ranking secretary. The reading さかん is derived from the historical bureaucratic title, while しゅてん is a later specialized reading for the shrine official sense. The exact derivation of the readings is uncertain.