The 'shoten-cho' should be an official personally or directly appointed by the Emperor, and his duties are to serve for Court rituals, to manage tasks of the department and the staff, and to supervise all members in the department.
「掌典長」は親任官又は勅任官とされ、皇室祭祀に奉仕し、掌典部・掌典職の事務を掌理し、所部職員を監督する。