The return of lands and people to the Emperor is a transitory measure until Haihan-chiken, but the Meiji government's authority over the han was weak at the time so orders to each han had to be made by Dajokan tasshi (proclamation by the Grand Council of State) which did not have binding power.
版籍奉還は次の廃藩置県までの過渡的措置であるが、当時藩に対する明治政府の権力は脆弱で、諸藩への命令も強制力のない太政官達で行うしかなかった。