The post of bugyo established by the bakufu and Shugo daimyo (Japanese territorial lord as provincial constable) was a kind of middle-ranking executive or official, but when the same post was set up by a kokujin ryoshu (local samurai lord) it was often referred to a position equivalent to chief vassal or chief retainer who was the main assistant of a lord and supervised the domestic economy.
幕府や守護大名が定める奉行職は中堅幹部や吏僚としての性質が強かったが、国人領主における奉行職の場合は主に領主を補佐し、家政を総覧する宿老や家老級の地位を指す場合が多い。