Hōkōshū (奉公衆) were high-ranking samurai guard-officials and close retainers (gokenin) to the Ashikaga shogun in Muromachi period Japan.
The hōkōshū were made up from five guard groups, and thus were also known as gobanshū (五番衆) or simply banshū (番衆).
[3] The hōkōshū were appointed from branches of shugo daimyo families, close retainers, members of the Ashikaga clan, and regional lords (kokujin ryōshū).
After this during the Ōei era, in an attempt to restrict the power of the shugo, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (1368–1394) established a new system of shogunal horse guards, the umamawari.
[1] The hōkōshū existed until the Ōnin War (1467-1477) when Ashikaga Yoshitane departed to Kawachi Province, but effectively collapsed during the political change of Meiō.