Their official duty was security but they sometimes conducted intelligence-gathering activities under the command of the aides of the shogun, Sobagoyotoritsuki (an attendant of the shogun who conveyed the shogun's messages and commands.)
奥向きの警備を表向きの職務とするが、時に将軍の側近である側御用取次から命令を受け、情報収集活動を行った。