The status of the guards at the barrier checkpoints was baishin (indirect vassal), but in fact such guards came to wield enormous influence due to the fact that passersby, under the guise of giving "tips," were made to pay passage fees despite the fact that the guards were shogunal officials.
関所の番人は陪臣身分ではあったが幕府の役人であっても祝儀名目の通行料を支払わされるなど大変な権勢を誇った。