According to the organizational structure of the bakufu or Domain of each clan, Kosho secretarial roles involved being an officer who handled the domestic economy (Goyonin), working as an aid to the lord (Sobashu), an attendant to the lord (Kinju shuttoyaku), or being an assistant who announces visitors and conveying messages (Goyotoritsugi).
幕府や諸藩の職制では、この秘書的役割は側用人・側衆・近習出頭役・御用取次役等が担いった。