Imagawa clan

was a Japanese samurai clan that claimed descent from the Seiwa Genji by way of the Kawachi Genji.

Origins

Ashikaga Kuniuji, grandson of Ashikaga Yoshiuji, established himself in the 13th century at Imagawa (Mikawa Province) and took its name.

Imagawa Norikuni (1295Ã¢ÂÂ1384) received the provinces of TÃÂtÃÂmi, and later Suruga, from his cousin ShÃÂgun Ashikaga Takauji

Located at

Ounami no Kori, Mikawa (modern day Nishio, Aichi) mainly Suruga Province and TÃÂtÃÂmi Province during the Warring States period

Crests

Two hikiryou
Yoshimoto's version of the akaitori (pictured)
Two hikiryou and a paulownia planted in white soil

Major figures

Imagawa Yoshitada
Imagawa Ujichika
Imagawa Ujiteru
Imagawa Yoshimoto
Imagawa Ujizane
Imagawa Sadayo, was a renowned Japanese poet and military commander who served as tandai ("constable") of KyÃÂ«shÃÂ« under the Ashikaga bakufu from 1371 to 1395.

Muromachi era

The clan was a branch of the Ashikaga shogunate. For this reason, they were appointed as the provincial constables (shugo) of Suruga and TÃÂtÃÂmi during that time. They were recognized as a highly prestigious clan, so much so that it was said, "Should the shogunate line perish, the Kira will succeed; should the Kira line perish, the Imagawa will succeed."

Sengoku era

During the Sengoku period in the 1540s and 1550s, Yoshimoto Imagawa attempted to establish his clan as the strongest in eastern Japan. However, after the death of Yoshimoto at the Battle of Okehazama in 1560, many Imagawa officers defected to other clans. Once a powerful clan. Within a decade, the clan had lost its entire land holdings to the Tokugawa and Takeda clans. The Imagawa subsequently became masters of ceremonies in the service of the Tokugawa clan.