Many of the women who rose to the position came from noble families of Kyo and were well-versed in court protocols, laws and special events and are believed to have accompanies the bride to wed the shogun and live in the Edo Castle.
主に有職故実に長けた京の公家出身の女中がこの役職に就くことが多く、彼女たちのほとんどは御台所や御簾中の輿入れに伴って奥入りしたと考えられている。