In the Former Imperial Household Law established in 1889, there was only a regulation that "Kotofu... is to be stored in Zushoryo (the Bureau of Drawings and Books)" (Article 34), and details were carried according to bylaw of the investigation of Imperial Family's genealogy which had been done in the Imperial court since the first year of Meiji period.
1889年（明治22年）に定められた旧皇室典範には「皇統譜…ハ図書寮ニ於テ尚藏ス」（34条）と規定されるのみで、その詳細は明治初年以来宮中で行われていた皇室系図の取調べにおける内規により運用されていた。