Wives and children of feudal lords were required to live in Edo and senior vassals such as Karo (chief retainer) put pawns (hostages) in Edo from their family members in turn.
大名の妻子は江戸への在住を義務づけられ、家老クラスの重臣については、彼らの身内から交替で証人（人質）を提出させて江戸においた。