The samurai government of MINAMOTO no Yoritomo (latter-day Kamakura bakufu), which established its rule in the Kanto region in opposition to the Taira clan, appointed its direct vassals (called "gokenin") as land stewards in order to strengthen its control.
平氏政権に対抗して、関東に独自の支配権を確立した源頼朝の武士政権（後の鎌倉幕府）は、依ってきた武士（すなわち御家人）を地頭に任命することで、自らの支配権を強めていった。