Shogoi was separated into senior and junior rank under the ritsuryo system (a system of centralized government based on the ritsuryo code) and conferred to bureaucrats in the ranks of Kyokan (official of the Capital), especially those equivalent to "Suke" or "Hangan."
正五位は、律令制下において上下にわけられ、官位相当では主に京官、特に次官ないし判官相当の官位として充てられた。