Stories of the Japanese 01243 [Muromachi/Yoshimitsu Period] Muromachi Official System: The Kanto Eight Yakata
It might be rude to the daimyo of the Kanto region to say this, but I have the impression that even minor figures in Kanto were permitted the title of 'Yakata.' Many of these families did not play a significant role during the Sengoku period.
As mentioned above, the Yakata titles granted by the Shogun in the western provinces are called the 'Muromachi Twenty-One Yakata,' while the Yakata titles granted by the Kamakura Kubo in the eastern provinces are called the 'Kanto Eight Yakata.'
○ Utsunomiya Clan: Based at Utsunomiya Castle (Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture)
This is the family that produced Utsunomiya Kimitsuna, known for his battle against Kusunoki Masashige. Kimitsuna's son, Utsuna, deeply admired Takauji, which led him to oppose the Kamakura Kubo Motouji and trigger the Battle of Kuribayano (see 01148). Even so, he showed enough presence to be valued by the Kamakura government, and he was granted the Yakata title by the third Kubo, Mitsukane.
○ Oda Clan: Based at Oda Castle (Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture)
They are descendants of Hatta Tomoie (see 00580), one of the '13 Lords of the Shogun.' During the chaos of the Northern and Southern Courts period, Oda Haruhisa is known for sheltering Kitabatake Chikafusa. The relationship with the Kamakura government deteriorated as Haruhisa's son, Oda Takahisa, launched a rebellion (see 01220).
○ Oyama Clan: Based at Gion Castle (Oyama City, Tochigi Prefecture)
This family launched rebellions for two consecutive generations under Oyama Yoshimasa and Oyama Waka-inumaru, but they were valued as the most powerful daimyo in Shimotsuke Province. Later, when the Kamakura Kubo came into conflict with the Muromachi Shogunate, they initially supported the Shogunate side before switching to support the Kamakura Kubo side.
○ Satake Clan: Based at Ota Castle (Hitachiota City, Ibaraki Prefecture)
They are descendants of Satake Hideyoshi (see 00468), who fought against Minamoto no Yoritomo at the Battle of Kanasagajo, and they were the largest daimyo in Hitachi Province. During the Sengoku period, their power was diminished by internal conflicts known as the 'Yamairi Rebellion' or the 'Hundred Years' War.' At the end of the Sengoku period, they moved their base from Ota Castle to Mito Castle (Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture).
○ Chiba Clan: Based at Chiba Castle (Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture)
They are descendants of Chiba Tsunetane (see 00463), who contributed greatly to the establishment of the Kamakura Shogunate. They did not show much presence during the Northern and Southern Courts period, but they played a major role belonging to the Koga Kubo side during the Kyotoku Incident. The activities of their branch families in Hizen and Mino are also important.
○ Naganuma Clan: Based at Naganuma Castle (Moka City, Tochigi Prefecture)
They are a branch of the Oyama clan. During the chaos of the Northern and Southern Courts period, they lost their base at Naganuma Castle and moved to Nagae-no-sho in Mutsu Province (Minamiaizu Town, Fukushima Prefecture), but later returned to Naganuma Castle. Furthermore, during the Sengoku period, a branch of the Naganuma clan moved to Minagawa-no-sho (Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture) and took the name Minagawa.
○ Nasu Clan: Based at Fukuhara Castle (Otawara City, Tochigi Prefecture)
This is the family known for Nasu no Yoichi (see 00509) of the famous Battle of Yashima. During the Muromachi period, they split into the 'Upper Nasu' and 'Lower Nasu' families and fought each other, but they were later unified.
○ Yuki Clan (Shimosa Yuki Clan): Based at Yuki Castle (Yuki City, Ibaraki Prefecture)
This was a family particularly trusted by the Kamakura Kubo, but they were destroyed in the Yuki War.