In 701, AWATA no Mahito, who was involved in the compilation of Taiho Code, was appointed as a Kento-shi (Shissetsu-shi), and was given setto (a sword given by the emperor in the symbol of his trust to the appointment of someone to a mission) by Emperor Monmu.
大宝元年、大宝令の編纂にも携わった粟田真人が遣唐使（執節使）に任命され、文武天皇から節刀を授けられた。