The ashigaru under the direct control of daimyo within the various domains were organized into units and during peacetime were used as low-level clerks known as 'monokaki-ashigaru' who served as watchmen and carried out miscellaneous duties.
諸藩においては、大名家直属の足軽は足軽組に編入され、平時は各所の番人や各種の雑用それに「物書き足軽」と呼ばれる下級事務員に用いられた。