Under the ritsuryo system (a system of centralized government based on the ritsuryo code), ministries in charge of personnel affairs including Nakatsukasasho (the Ministry of Central Affairs), Shikibu-sho (the Ministry of Ceremonial), Hyobusho (the Ministry of Military), Jibusho (the Ministry of Civil Administration) regularly developed records of personnel affairs twice a year for the reference for jimoku (appointment ceremonies) in the following year.
律令制においては、翌年の除目の参考資料とするために人事担当官司である中務省・式部省・兵部省・治部省などが毎年2回定期的に人事録を作成していた。