From the Heian period, a person who was kugyo (sanmi [third court rank] or higher and sangi [councilor]) was called by putting Ason after his uji (clan name) as well as putting a honorific title as ko (minister) or kyo (minister) after his imina (real personal name).
平安時代以降、公卿(三位以上及び参議)、氏の下に朝臣、諱の下に公(大臣)ないし卿という敬称を以って称した。