According to the "Joijorei," the court rank from Jushii upwards was conferred by "Chokuju" (Imperial grace through the Minister of the Imperial Household), and that from Shogoi (Senior Fifth Rank) downwards was conferred with "Soju" (Imperial approval and made public by the Minister of the Imperial Household).
叙位条例によると、従四位以上は勅授（宮内大臣から伝達）、正五位以下は奏授（宮内大臣が天皇に奏して叙位）とされた。