also: こくえのさいしょう
Buddhist priest who is also an important politician
Historical term referring to a Buddhist monk who wielded significant political influence, often behind the scenes. The 'black robe' (黒衣) symbolizes the priest's vestments.
The monk called the 'black-robed chancellor' held great power in the imperial court.
In history class, we learned about the 'black-robed chancellor'.
Standard kanji form; the reading こくいのさいしょう is the most common.
Alternate reading こくえのさいしょう is less common but historically attested.
Compound of 黒衣 (kokui, 'black robe', referring to a Buddhist priest's vestments) + の (no, possessive particle) + 宰相 (saishō, 'chancellor' or 'prime minister'). The term historically described influential Buddhist monks in Japanese politics.