In accordance with the 'Shoten-shoku Kansei' (the regulations for the organization of the shoten-shoku), which was announced in the Imperial Household Order No. 4 of 1939, the Ministry of Imperial Household established a department called Shoten-shoku, and they also decided to place the positions in this department as follows: the shoten-cho, the shoten-jicho, shoten, nai-shoten, shoten-ho, administrative officials, and minor officials.
「掌典職官制」（昭和14年皇室令第4号）により、宮内省に掌典職が置かれ、掌典職には、掌典長、掌典次長、掌典、内掌典、掌典補、事務官及び属を置くことが定められた。