The rank of Shogun was temporary in function as a general rule and was created only on four occasions, namely, in campaigns against the Ezo in the east and against the Hayato in southwest Japan, service to protect the Emperor during his travels and for the entertainment of foreign guests and representatives of the Ezo and Hayato coming to the capital.
将軍は原則として臨時任命であり、任命された事態は、東の蝦夷に対する遠征、南西の隼人に対する遠征、天皇の行幸の護衛、都に来た外国使節や蝦夷・隼人の迎接の四つである。