The cloistered government took the place of the Ritsuryo system, developing lord-vassal relationships with the cloistered Emperor at the apex, and making subordinates work in exchange for positions and land as rewards, and was a period when the system of custodial provinces and shoen were established.
院政期は律令制に代わり、院を頂点とした主従制的関係が形成され、官職や土地を恩給として臣下に与えて奉仕させるようになり、知行国・荘園制度が確立していった時期だった。