Although there were several changes of selection, in 1386 the third Shogun Yoshimitsu ASHIKAGA determined it as follows after construction of Shokoku-ji Temple, and took over the power of appointing chief priests by the system of Sorokushi (僧録司) and therefore controlled temples, which added a religious aspect to the prestige of the Shogunate.
数回の選定変更があったが、室町時代の1386年（至徳(日本)3）には3代将軍の足利義満が相国寺を創建した後に以下のように改め、僧録司制なども定めて住職の任命権などを掌握し、寺社の統制を行い幕府権威に宗教的側面を付加させた。