Taking it as a good example that Tadayoshi ASHIKAGA was appointed to Sama no kami, Sama no kami in the Muromachi period was regarded as a government post taken by Kokenshoku (post of guardian) of Shogun (existence like vice-shogun) or by Shogun-in-waiting.
室町時代において左馬頭は、足利直義が左馬頭になったのを嘉例とし、将軍の後見職（副将軍的な存在）あるいは次期将軍が就任する官職と見なされた。