The "bangashira" or "banto" at a samurai family enjoyed the highest status and reputation in the military sector and was called the "oban gashira" chiefly during the Edo shogunate, serving as the head of security for Ote-mon Gate (Main Gate) of the Edo Castle, as well as a captain in charge of the bakufu troop and of the cavalry in times of war or military campaign.
武家における番頭（ばんがしら・ばんとう）とは、主に江戸幕府にあっては大番頭と呼ばれ、平時は江戸城大手門をはじめ、江戸城の警備隊長として、また有時及び行軍に際しては幕府軍の備並びに騎馬隊指揮官（侍大将）として、番方（軍事部門）で最高の格式を誇った。