Itakura Clan

Itakura Clan

The Itakura clan (板倉氏, Itakura-shi?) is a Japanese clan which came to prominence during the Sengoku period. The family claimed descent from Shibukawa Yoshiaki, the son of Ashikaga Yasuuji, a relative of the Ashikaga shoguns. Over time, the clan evolved into several branches which were daimyo, ruling the Bitchū-Matsuyama, Niwase, Fukushima, and Annaka Domains.

One of Yoshiaki's descendants went to Mikawa Province and entered the service of the Matsudaira clan; the Itakura subsequently became fudai. The Itakura served the Matsudaira clan during its rise to power in the 16th century, and became senior officials in the new Tokugawa shogunate.

In the Edo period, the Itakura were identified as one of the fudai or insider daimyō clans which were hereditary vassals or allies of the Tokugawa clan, in contrast with the tozama or outsider clans.