Ito clan
Encyclopedia
The were a Japanese clan that claimed descent from the medieval warrior Itō Suketoki (son of Kudō Suketsune), who was famous for his involvement in the incident involving the Soga brothers. The family became a moderate power both in influence and ability by the latter Sengoku Period
of Feudal Japan. During the Heian Period
of the 12th century, the Ito's mutual fortunes with the Kamakura Bakufu had become relatively nonexistent after a period of certain treachery instigated by Ito no Sukechika, who was put to death by Minamoto no Yoritomo
upon the treason of seizing land and ultimately acting against the will of both his father and elder brother.
The Itō family survived through the Muromachi Period
, and remained a powerful clan well into the Sengoku period
. The Itō family's most serious rivals in this period were the Shimazu
. The Shimazu clan, which had unified Satsuma Province
and Ōsumi Province
under their control, began to clash with the Itō in 1570. The Itō were finally defeated by the Shimazu in 1578. Yoshisuke, the family head, went to Kyoto by way of Iyo Province
, and sought help from Toyotomi Hideyoshi
. The family's old lands were restored in 1587, following Toyotomi Hideyoshi
's invasion of Kyushu and defeat of the Shimazu clan. By the Edo period
, the Itō retained their holdings, which came to be known as the Obi Domain.
Count Itoh Sukeyuki
, the Meiji era admiral, was a descendant of this family.
Sengoku period
The or Warring States period in Japanese history was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. The name "Sengoku" was adopted by Japanese historians in reference...
of Feudal Japan. During the Heian Period
Heian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
of the 12th century, the Ito's mutual fortunes with the Kamakura Bakufu had become relatively nonexistent after a period of certain treachery instigated by Ito no Sukechika, who was put to death by Minamoto no Yoritomo
Minamoto no Yoritomo
was the founder and the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate of Japan. He ruled from 1192 until 1199.-Early life and exile :Yoritomo was the third son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, heir of the Minamoto clan, and his official wife, a daughter of Fujiwara no Suenori, who was a member of the...
upon the treason of seizing land and ultimately acting against the will of both his father and elder brother.
The Itō family survived through the Muromachi Period
Muromachi period
The is a division of Japanese history running from approximately 1336 to 1573. The period marks the governance of the Muromachi or Ashikaga shogunate, which was officially established in 1338 by the first Muromachi shogun, Ashikaga Takauji, two years after the brief Kemmu restoration of imperial...
, and remained a powerful clan well into the Sengoku period
Sengoku period
The or Warring States period in Japanese history was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. The name "Sengoku" was adopted by Japanese historians in reference...
. The Itō family's most serious rivals in this period were the Shimazu
Shimazu clan
The were the daimyō of the Satsuma han, which spread over Satsuma, Ōsumi and Hyūga provinces in Japan.The Shimazu were identified as one of the tozama or outsider daimyō clans in contrast with the fudai or insider clans which were hereditary vassals or allies of the Tokugawa clan,The Shimazu were...
. The Shimazu clan, which had unified Satsuma Province
Satsuma Province
was an old province of Japan that is now the western half of Kagoshima Prefecture on the island of Kyūshū. Its abbreviation is Sasshū .During the Sengoku Period, Satsuma was a fief of the Shimazu daimyo, who ruled much of southern Kyūshū from their castle at Kagoshima city.In 1871, with the...
and Ōsumi Province
Osumi Province
was an old province of Japan in the area that is today the eastern part of Kagoshima Prefecture. It was sometimes called . Ōsumi bordered on Hyūga and Satsuma Provinces.Osumi's ancient capital was near modern Kokubu...
under their control, began to clash with the Itō in 1570. The Itō were finally defeated by the Shimazu in 1578. Yoshisuke, the family head, went to Kyoto by way of Iyo Province
Iyo Province
was an old province of Japan in the area that is today Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku. Iyo bordered on Awa, Sanuki, and Tosa Provinces. It was sometimes called ....
, and sought help from Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
was a daimyo warrior, general and politician of the Sengoku period. He unified the political factions of Japan. He succeeded his former liege lord, Oda Nobunaga, and brought an end to the Sengoku period. The period of his rule is often called the Momoyama period, named after Hideyoshi's castle...
. The family's old lands were restored in 1587, following Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
was a daimyo warrior, general and politician of the Sengoku period. He unified the political factions of Japan. He succeeded his former liege lord, Oda Nobunaga, and brought an end to the Sengoku period. The period of his rule is often called the Momoyama period, named after Hideyoshi's castle...
's invasion of Kyushu and defeat of the Shimazu clan. By the Edo period
Edo period
The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....
, the Itō retained their holdings, which came to be known as the Obi Domain.
Count Itoh Sukeyuki
Itoh Sukeyuki
- Notes :...
, the Meiji era admiral, was a descendant of this family.