Under the ritsuryo system, it was granted mainly to naidaijin (Minister of the Center), kurodo no betto (Super intendant of the Chamberlain's office), as well as the legal wife of minister.
律令制下において従二位は、主に内大臣や蔵人別当の位とされ、大臣の正室などもこの位が贈られた。