After the beginning of the Meiji period, Shoshii (Senior Fourth Rank) was conferred as a posthumous honor on those who had accomplished a great deed, except for those who had already received a rank above Jusanmi (Junior Third Rank), kazoku (new nobility) such as kugyo and daimyo, and especially on people of merit who had died during the 'Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarian'-Period and the Meiji Restoration.
明治時代以降は、幕末の尊皇攘夷や明治維新において亡くなった功労者のうち、従三位以上に叙せられた元勲や公卿、大名などの華族を除いた、特に偉勲著しい者に対して正四位が贈位された。