The form of conferment from Shonii downwards was not changed, but Shoichii/Juichii (Senior/Junior First Rank) was especially conferred by "Shinju" (personal investiture by the Emperor). (A diploma of court rank was bestowed personally by the Emperor upon the recipiant in the ceremony of Imperial conferment of decoraiton.)
位階令によると、正二位以下の授与形態に変更はなかったが、正従一位は特に親授（親授式で、天皇から位記を授与）とされた。