Samurai and landlord in the medieval Japan took charge of the territorial management and ruling by assuming various posts and powers such as Gunji shiki (local headships), Goshi shiki (sub district headships) and Hoshi shiki (executive officer of an Imperial demesne) granted by Kokuga (provincial government office), and Shokan shiki (officer entrusted with local management of the private estate) granted by the lord of a private estate (family head or guarantor of manor), as well as Jito shiki (manager and lord of a private estate) granted by the bakufu (Japanese feudal government headed by a shogun).
中世期の武士・在地領主は、ある者は国衙から郡司職・郷司職・保司職としての地位・権利を認められ、ある者は荘園領主（本家・本所）から荘官職に任じられ、またある者は幕府から地頭職を付与された。