Council of Peers (Themiclesia)
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The Council of Peers (門下省) was a legislative body of Themiclesia from around 1531 to 1844/5. In the reform of 1844, most of the functions of the Council of Peers were transferred to the newly-established House of Lords, leaving only ceremonial tasks.
Historical role
Modern role
After the constitutional and franchise reforms of 1844 is to advise the emperor to summon Parliament. In the modern era, this takes place on the day before the state opening of Parliament is scheduled. The Council usually does not meet for this purpose, being quorate with four members. The ceremony involves four peers, generally the leaders and deputy leaders of the government and opposition parties, standing at the Tor Gate of the Fore Hall, with a draft order that summons "the people and peers of Themiclesia to meet in Parliament". The Chancellor greets them at the gate and presents them to the emperor, who commands the Great Seal, in the Council's possession, to be applied to the order. The ceremony recapitulates a critical part of the political turmoil of the late 1700s, when peers met at the palace without royal invitation and pressured the emperor to summon representatives to discuss affairs of state.
Orders promulgated in the emperor's name when Parliament is not sitting require the symbolic assent of the Council of Peers to be sealed and made effective.