Konando

• Japanese: 小納戸 (konando)

Konando were samurai who served as direct personal assistant to a shogun or daimyô. Though typically young and low in rank, they enjoyed more direct access to the person of the lord, and to the lord's personal effects and private chambers, than most of even the highest-ranking retainers.

A konando's obligations included various matters relating to the lord's personal chambers and personal effects (clothing, etc.), including the swords worn by the lord on a regular basis (other swords owned by the lord, such as treasured heirlooms, were typically overseen by a different official, such as a bugyô of weapons, or of storehouses).

Within the shogunate, metsuke (shogunate inspectors) were sometimes chosen from among the ranks of the konando. In the domains, there are a number of examples of prominent historical officials and advisors, including karô (House Elders) who started out as konando.