The Master of Ceremonies or more properly Grand Master of the Ceremonies, in modern governments of Japan, designates the chief administrator charged with ceremonial matters relating to the Imperial House of Japan. Under the current government system, he has been called the Shikibu-kanchō (式部官長) who heads the Board of the Ceremonies, Imperial Household Agency (宮内庁式部職, Kunaichō Shikibu shoku). However, the post has historically gone under different Japanese names.
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Current government
The Grand Master of the Ceremonies has two Vice-Grand Masters of the Ceremonies (式部副長, Shikibu fukuchō) serving under him. One of them has "purview over ceremonial matters" (儀式総括, gishiki sōkatsu), while the other has "purview over foreign related matters" (外事総括, gaiji sōkatsu).
The first Vice-Grand Master of the Ceremonies has subordinate "officials of ceremonies" (式官, shikikan) underneath him, variously charged with ceremonial rites, music, and hunting parties at the duck netting preserves (鴨場, kamoba). It is the Board of the Ceremonies's The Music Department (楽部, gakubu), which performs both gagaku (雅楽), i.e. ancient court music, and Western classical music.
The other Vice-Grand Master of the Ceremonies is charged foreign matters, i.e., with assisting in coordinating various court functions held for visiting foreign dignitaries. He is also responsible for such activities as the Imperial Family's State visits to foreign countries.
The hunting parties at the kamoba preserves invites guests to participate in traditional wild-duck netting, where the wildfowl are tagged. It should be mentioned that the guests invited to the netting are often diplomatic missions and plenipotentiaries from foreign countries, although cabinet members, members of the National Diet, and Supreme Court Justices are extended invitations also.
Grand Masters of the Ceremonies in office
Below is the historic list of men who filled the office (1947~current).