Goshi (rural samurai) were considered part of the ranks of vassals because the daimyo of ancient clans believed that the goshi samurai had lived outside the castle grounds since mediaeval times and, resided in castle support towns (on a stipend) which was different to arrangements in a large number of other clans.
旧族居付大名であるため、外城制の存在などに見られるように中世的であり、城下集住・俸禄制をとる大多数の藩とは異なった。