In 'the clothing codes' included in "the Taiho Ritsuryo Code" promulgated in 701 and "the Yoro Ritsuryo Code" promulgated in 718, '衣' was more frequently used than '袍' as the word indicating clothing for the upper half of the body.
701年の『大宝律令』と718年の『養老律令』の「衣服令」では、上半身を覆う服を指す言葉として「袍」よりも「衣」のほうを多く使っていた。