It was formerly considered that tochokufu was created to deliver the chokushi (imperial order) to the officials staying outside of Kyoto, according to the interpretation of the Kushiki-ryo (law on state documentary forms in the Yoro Code) (Ritsuryo law).
古くは公式令(律令法)の解釈から、勅旨を在外諸司に伝えるために作成されたと考えられてきた。