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Reference.org
Twelve Level Cap and Rank System
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<p>The Twelve Level Cap and Rank System (冠位十二階, <i>Kan'i Jūnikai</i>), established in 603, was the first of what would be several similar cap and rank systems established during the <a href="/facts/Asuka_period/flpJU4DP">Asuka period</a> of <a href="/facts/Japanese_history/XYqQMJCQ">Japanese history</a>. It was adapted from <a href="/facts/Nine-rank_system/u6DI9Khb">similar systems</a> that were already in place in <a href="/facts/Sui_dynasty/r5Mjp8lj">Sui dynasty</a> <a href="/facts/China/lTjIXY5p">China</a>, <a href="/facts/Baekje/TdKogGVC">Paekche</a> and <a href="/facts/Goguryeo/oI7tQPB4">Goguryeo</a>. The officials wore silk caps that were decorated with gold and silver, and a feather that indicated the official's rank. The ranks in the twelve level cap and rank system consisted of the greater and the lesser of each of the six <a href="/facts/Confucianism/Nlbwgmxw">Confucian</a> virtues: virtue (徳, <i>toku</i>), benevolence (仁, <i>jin</i>), propriety (禮, <i>rei</i>), sincerity (信, <i>shin</i>), justice (義, <i>gi</i>) and knowledge (智, <i>chi</i>). </p><p>The twelve cap system was replaced in 647. </p>