It is considered that the roles were strictly divided such that Tenyaku were only in charge of managing the key, Kenmotsu were in charge of receiving the key from Tenyaku, locking and unlocking with the key, and managing the delivery of the things to and from the warehouse, and Shuyaku (Daishuyaku, Shoshuyaku) were in charge of actual delivery of the things to and from the warehouse.
なお、典鑰は鑰の管理のみを担当し、典鑰から鑰を受け取った監物が鑰の開け閉めと出納の管理を行い、主鑰（大主鑰・少主鑰）が実際の出納を行うという役割分担が厳格にされていたとされている。