In the ritsuryo system, Kannin meant officials at the rank of Sakan of Tsukasa (also known as Shi) or above and the court rank of Sixth Rank or below, and in the Heian period, it meant officials at the rank of Jo or below, specifically lieutenant of Konoefu (the Headquarters of the Inner Palace Guards) or under.
律令制では諸司の主典以上六位以下、平安時代には判官以下、特に近衛府の将監以下の官吏を指した。