This was the unit for collective responsibility, mutual monitoring, and mutual aid, and the feudal lord operated these organizations for law and order, resolving conflicts in the village (town), collecting land tax, and notifying everyone of acts.
これは連帯責任・相互監察・相互扶助の単位であり、領主はこの組織を利用して治安維持・村（町）の中の争議の解決・年貢の確保・法令の伝達周知の徹底をはかった。