Some headmen (nanushi or shoya) had a strong sense of being a representative of the peasants, who led riots on farmers' side, while others became a target in uprisings because of their being the rank and file of the government in direct contact with the public.
一揆の際には農村側に立って先導するような百姓側の代表としての意識の強いものと、支配機構の末端をになう下級官吏の面が強く一揆などの際に標的となる場合もあった。