While Jusanmi was equivalent to Chunagon (a vice-councilor of state), Konoe no daisho (Major Captain of the Palace Guards) as well as Dazai-no-sotsu (Director of Dazaifu [Kyushu branch government]), Shosanmi was the equivalent of Dainagon (a chief councilor of state).
従三位が中納言や近衛大将、太宰帥などと官位相当であるのに対し、正三位は大納言相当とされた。