When the family ranks were gradually defined after the middle ages, the families were clearly divided without regard to the official ranks: Toshoke, the families permitted to enter the Imperial Palace; and Jigeke, the families held the status of Jigenin.
中世以後、次第に家格が定められると、位階に関係なく昇殿できる家柄（堂上家）と地下人のままの家柄（地下家）に厳格に分けられるようになった。