Members of the Shishiki clans participated in political affairs of the Muromachi government as principal retainers of the bakufu along with the three clans (Hosokawa, Shiba and Hatakeyama clans) from which shugun's deputies were chosen.
三管領家（細川氏、斯波氏、畠山氏）と並び幕府の宿老として中央政治に参与した。