also: かみづかさ · かんづかさ
noun
Department of Divinities (1868-1871)
Only with reading じんぎかん
A short-lived government department during the early Meiji period, responsible for Shintō affairs. Obsolete term.
神祇官は明治政府の初期に設置されたが、すぐに廃止された。
The Department of Divinities was established in the early Meiji government but was soon abolished.
noun
Department of Worship (ritsuryō system)
Historical term for the office in charge of Shintō rituals under the ancient ritsuryō legal codes.
See also: 律令制
律令制のもとで、神祇官は祭祀を司る重要な役所だった。
Under the ritsuryō system, the Department of Worship was an important office overseeing religious ceremonies.
Obsolete kana reading; not used in modern Japanese.
From 神祇 (jingi, 'gods of heaven and earth') + 官 (kan, 'government office'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the term refers to specific historical institutions.