also: りっかん · ろっかん
six ministries of Zhou dynasty China
Historical term referring to the six major administrative departments of the Zhou dynasty: Heaven, Earth, Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter offices. Used in discussions of ancient Chinese government.
The six ministries of Zhou consist of the Offices of Heaven, Earth, Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
From Chinese 六官 (liùguān), literally 'six offices'. The term entered Japanese through classical Chinese texts and is used in historical contexts.