It is even possible to see samurai who were under the direct control of the bakufu as being hereditary retainers who served the Kamakura family and, at the same time, territorial governors who served imperial government officials and manorial lords by performing their duties to collect taxes, supervise police activities and preside over trials.
むしろ、幕府に直属する武士は御家人と地頭の両方の側面を持ち、御家人としての立場は鎌倉殿への奉仕であり、地頭職は、徴税、警察、裁判の責任者として国衙と荘園領主に奉仕する立場であったとする解釈もある。