also: りっけい
six ministers of the Zhou dynasty
Historical term referring to the six high officials of the Chinese Zhou dynasty, corresponding to the 六官 (Six Offices). Used in classical Chinese and Japanese historical contexts.
See also: 六官
During the Zhou dynasty, the six ministers each oversaw important administrative functions.
The system of six ministers was later succeeded by the Six Offices.
Standard kanji form; the reading りくけい is the most common.
Alternate reading; less common but attested.
From Chinese 六卿 (liùqīng), literally 'six ministers'. The term is composed of 六 (six) and 卿 (high official/minister).