also: りっけい
noun
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
周の時代、六卿はそれぞれ重要な行政を担当した。
During the Zhou dynasty, the six ministers each oversaw important administrative functions.
六卿の制
The system of six ministers was later succeeded by the Six Offices.
六官 refers to the Six Offices of the Zhou dynasty, a related but distinct administrative concept. 六卿 are the ministers themselves, while 六官 are the offices they headed.
From Chinese 六卿 (liùqīng), literally 'six ministers'. The term is composed of 六 (six) and 卿 (high official/minister).