It was under the control of Shikibu-sho (the Ministry of Ceremonial), and there were two main subjects such as Myogyo-do (Keisho), Sando (arithmetic) plus two auxiliary subjects such as Ondo (pronunciation of Chinese) and calligraphy (Daigakuryo) (the way of writing); later, Kidendo (in vernacular terms, 'Monjodo (Literature)' and Myobodo (law) were added.
式部省の所管で、明経道（経書）、算道（算術）および副教科の音道（中国語の発音）、書道_(大学寮)（書き方）の四学科があり後に紀伝道（通称「文章道」、中国史・文章）と明法道（法律）が加わった。