Kokujin sometimes were subordinates of external rulers such as shugo and manor lords, and were subject to subordinate-like ruling, but at times were rebels backed by a strong military force gained by subordinating the jizamurai (local samurai), who were at the upper level in the peasant class within their territory, and by coordinating with other kokujin.
国人は、守護や荘園領主など領域外からの支配者に対しては、その被官となって半従属的支配を受けることもあれば、領内の百姓身分の上層部である地侍を被官化することによって得た強力な軍事力や他の国人との連携を背景に反抗することもあった。