In Japan, it was decided that upon observing an unusual astronomical phenomenon, tenmon hakase (a master of astronomy) or a person who was well versed in astrology and astronomy and had received an imperial decree constituting the mission as the medium of tenmon misso should draw up a document stating what it symbolized by taking into account the divination and similar cases in the past, and observations; seal it; and directly submit it to the emperor through Onmyo no kami (Director of Onmyoryo, or Bureau of Divination) at once.
日本では、天文博士あるいは天文密奏宣旨を受けた天文学・占星術に通じた人物が、異常な天文現象を見つけた際には、占いの結果と過去に発生した同様の事例から勘案してその意味を解釈したものを観測記録とともに奏書に認めて密封して、速やかに陰陽頭を通じて天皇に対して上奏されることとなっていた。