As early as the eight century when the Ritsuryo system was enforced on a large scale, a privately compiled book called 'Kotaishiki' existed, in which the laws and regulations concerning the procedures for replacing government officers, in particular, kokushi (provincial governors) (Shochoku - imperial edicts) and Daijokanpu (official documents issued by Daijokan, Grand Council of State) were collected.
律令制が本格的に施行された8世紀のうちから、官吏、特に国司交替の手続きに関する法令（詔勅・太政官符）を集成した私撰の「交替式」と呼ばれる書物が存在していた。