The "Joijorei" stipulated that "Court rank is conferred on Peers, officials of the "Choku nin" and "So nin"ranks, persons who have rendered distinguished services to the State or persons of such merit as to warrant public notice." (Article 1 of "Joijorei")
叙位条例によると「凡ソ位ハ華族勅奏任官及国家ニ勲功アル者又ハ表彰スヘキ功績アル者ニ叙ス」（叙位条例第1条）とされた。