When the cabinet system was set up in 1885, the Imperial Household Minister was established replaced existing Kunaikyo, but the minister was not included in cabinet members following the principle of "distinction between Imperial court and government offices."
1885年（明治18年）に内閣制度が創設される際には、従来の宮内卿に替わって宮内大臣が置かれたが、「宮中府中の別」の原則に従って、宮内大臣は内閣の一員とされなかった。