also: けんびいしちょう
Office of the Police and Judicial Chief
Historical term for the Heian-period office that combined police, judicial, and administrative functions in Kyoto.
The Kebiishi-chō was responsible for maintaining public order in Heian-kyō.
Officials of the Kebiishi-chō carried out arrests and trials of criminals.
Refers to the officials themselves, while 検非違使庁 is the office or agency.
Standard kanji spelling for this historical office.
Alternate reading; けびいしちょう is more common.
The term is composed of 検 (investigate), 非 (wrongdoing), 違 (violation), 使 (official), and 庁 (office). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it reflects the office's combined police and judicial role.