Upon coming and going to the capital during sankinkotai (a system under which feudal lords in the Edo period were required to spend every other year in residence in Edo), before being granted an audience with the Shogun, the family having the privilege of the Shogun's roju (member of the Shogun's council of elders) coming with the information to the daimyo's residence.
参勤交代で参府・出府時、将軍に拝謁以前に上使として老中が大名邸に伝達にくる栄誉をもつ家。