also: かん · こう
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
director; chief (ritsuryō system)
Historical term for the highest of the four administrative ranks in the ritsuryō system. Archaic in modern usage; encountered mainly in historical texts or discussions of ancient Japanese government.
See also: 四等官
The 長官 (kami) is the highest post among the four administrative ranks.
律令制では、各省に長官が置かれた。
Under the ritsuryō system, each ministry had a director (長官).
Standard kanji form for the historical title. The reading かみ is the most common for this meaning.
Alternate reading, less common. May appear in some historical contexts.
Rare reading, possibly used in specific compound names or older texts.
From 長 (chief) + 官 (official). The reading かみ is the native Japanese reading (kun'yomi) for the kanji 長, while かん and こう are Sino-Japanese readings (on'yomi). The term is specific to the ritsuryō system and is not used in modern government.