also: しょくぶんでん
tax-exempt land for high officials (ritsuryō system)
Historical term from the ritsuryō legal system; refers to land granted to high-ranking government officials that was exempt from taxation.
Under the ritsuryō system, high-ranking officials were granted shikibunden (tax-exempt land).
Alternate reading; しきぶんでん is more common.
Compound of 職分 (shikibun, 'official duties/rank') and 田 (den, 'rice field'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the term is specific to the ritsuryō legal codes.