Under the rein of Shogun Yoshimitsu ASHIKAGA during the Muromachi period when the capital was located in Kyoto, forces under the direct control of the Seii Taishogun (literally, "great general who subdues the barbarians"), 'Hokoshu' (literally vassal group) were organized mainly from local powerful clans in Nishigaoka.
京都に政権中枢があった室町時代には、将軍足利義満の時代に、征夷大将軍直属の軍勢として西ヶ岡土豪衆を中心に「奉公衆」が結成された。