cap rank system; court rank system by headgear colors
Historical term referring to the ancient Japanese system of indicating court ranks through the colors of official caps or headgear. Used in discussions of pre-Heian period history.
The twelve cap ranks were established in the reign of Empress Suiko.
twelve level cap and rank system
From 冠 (kan, 'cap, crown') + 位 (i, 'rank, position'). The term refers to the historical practice of distinguishing court ranks by the color of official caps.