The imperial rescript was largely divided into 'Kyumu Shosho' (Imperial rescript of the Imperial Princes' Household Affairs) that relates to the imperial household and 'Seimu Shosho' (Imperial rescript of State Affairs) that was issued at the time of the emperor's prerogative invocation based on the constitution, but a specific type and procedure was established by 'kushikiryo.'
詔書の様式については大きく分けて皇室に関する「宮務詔書」と憲法に基づく天皇大権発動の際に出される「政務詔書」の2つに分けられていたが、具体的な種別や手続については「公式令」において定められていた。