Originally a cho (one of the styles of official documents in the ritsuryo system) was used for when Ryoge no kan (a post outside the original Ritsuryo code created by Imperial edicts) and temples and shrines submitted an official report to the Daijokan and a ji (an official document submitted to Guji [chief of those who serves shrine, controls festivals and general affairs] by the general public and lower grade officials) for individuals, however, in later years these monjo (written materials) were put together and dealt with as a ge.
また、本来は令外官や寺社より太政官に上申する場合には牒が用いられ、個人が役所に出す文書には辞などが用いられていたが、後にはこれらの文書も一括して解として処理されるようになった。