Alt-Onin War - Samurai Houses of Onin-Era Japan

This is a list of the largest samurai clans of alt-1467 Japan. Even the least of these families rule at least one entire province, and most rule more than that. Any can field an army of thousands, some far more than that. Each clan has a crest, a heraldic device called a “kamon”. If you wish to see what they look at, consult the Samurai Archives website “Samurai Family Crests”. 

Ashikaga and Western Court Allies ASHIKAGA – The Ashikaga Clan only controls two provinces of moderate wealth, but previous leaders and a glorious history mean that they now control Kyoto and the Shogunate. Despite this prestigious position, they have little direct control of anything beyond the capital and their provinces. On the other hand, they have immense indirect influence through the "kingmaker" clans. The Ashikaga are strongly invested in maintaining peace with the Mongol Empire, as they derive considerable power and wealth from this situation. This does nothing to endear the Shogunate to many clans. HATAKEYAMA – One of the three great “kingmaker” clans, the Hatakeyama rule four scattered holdings on both coasts of central Japan. They are largely neutral towards the Mongols and tend to see to their own interests, but they have some family ties to the Western Imperial Court that keep representatives in Kyoto busy. HOSOKAWA – The most powerful of samurai “kingmaker” clans in 1467, the Hosokawa rule lands all around the Inland Sea, and have considerable influence over the Shogunal court. They remain aloof from the conflict between the Imperial courts and have emissaries in both Kyoto and Edo. Whichever court could win their support would easily be able to dominate Japan… but would be dominated by the Hosokawa in turn. IMAGAWA – Rulers of Totomi and Suruga provinces, the Imagawa are loyal supporters of the Ashikaga, but remain agnostic on the question of the Imperial court. Despite this, few clans despise the Mongols as strongly as the Imagawa, due to some personal vendetta between the Mongols and an Imagawa ancestor. OUCHI - Once among the wealthiest of clans, the Ouchi were nearly destroyed when the Mongols occupied Nagato and Suo. The surviving clan members have largely been absorbed into the Yamana, who benefited from the increased manpower and wealth the survivors brought with them. They remain a separate clan in name only, though individual members still bear the surname and considerable influence from it. The Ouchi are lords of the southern parts of Aki and Iwami as Yamana vassals, primarily concerned with guarding the borders against Mongol and Hosokawa incursions. SHIBA – The Shiba are a wealthy clan that rules three provinces isolated from the sea. They are strong supporters of the eastern Court in Edo, while at the same time backing the Ashikaga Shogunate in all other issues. This has led to internal dissension within the leadership of the clan, between pro-Edo and pro-Kyoto members. YAMANA - One of the other "kingmaker clans", the Yamana control five provinces in the far west of Japan. The Yamana are physically closer to Mongol predation than any other major clan, and they are the most vocal opponents of the Mongols. This causes tension between them and other Ashikaga allies. Eastern Court Allies OTOMO – Formerly rulers of northern Kyushu, the Otomo now control only Musashi Province. In this wealthy land, they serve as hosts and protectors of the Eastern Imperial Court. They have poor relations with the Shogunate and a burning hatred of the Mongols but maintain close ties to the Western Court. The Otomo would officially like to see the Courts reunited, and war against the Mongols pursued. SHIMAZU - One of the displaced clans from Kyushu, the powerful Shimazu Clan has reestablished itself in two provinces north of Edo. They very close ties to the Eastern Imperial Court. They are still rabidly anti-Mongol, periodically funding and mounting raids using their extensive naval assets. TAKEDA - The Takeda Clan are strong supporters of the Eastern Court in Edo, though they maintain good relations to the Shogunate. The Takeda are most famous for having excellent cavalry and peerless horse-breeding stock. They are often allied with the Otomo in military pursuits. UTSUNOMIYA - The Utsunomiya rule Kozuke Province to the north of Edo. They are strong supporters of the Eastern Imperial Court and have been for decades. The daimyo was rejected by the Western Emperor for a prestigious post some years ago, and thus bears ill will towards the entire Kyoto Faction. Neutral or Uncommitted Clans CHIBA - The Chiba are a relatively small clan, controlling Kasuza Province in the east. Despite their location, they maintain sporadic contact with mainland Asia and the Mongol Empire, supplementing their limited land holdings with an impressive fleet of trading and naval vessels. ISHIKKI – The Ishikki rule most of Mikawa Province, as well as two on the coast of the Sea of Japan. They are neutral towards the Imperial Courts but hate both the Mongols and the Ashikaga. They have tense relations with their neighbors, the Imagawa, with border territories frequently changing hands. The Matsudaira are a vassal clan of the Ishikki. KONO – The Kono are rulers of Iyo province on Shikoku, and share kinship ties to the Western Court in Kyoto. They are strongly opposed to peace with the Mongols and regard the Ashikaga as traitors. They suffer frequent raids by the Mongols, so the clan is not as well off as they might otherwise be. KYOGOKU – The Kyogoku control Izumo and Oki provinces in western Japan, and rely on the existing social order to maintain their wealth and position. Despite their support of the Shogunate and the Western Court, the Kyogoku daimyo is strongly anti-Mongol and supported efforts to drive them out of Japan. NITSUKI – The NiTSUki control Izumi province and the great port city of Sakai. As such, they are wealthy and important despite their relatively small territory. They maintain fairly good terms with all of the major factions, but find themselves conflicted; they hate the Mongols, but benefit enormously from trade with China, and so tend to remain silent. SHIBUKAWA - A small clan located on the Inland Sea, the Shibukawa are neutral and diplomatically isolated. They have suffered frequent raids by Mongol forces, who claim to be retaliating against pirates based in Aki Province. As a result, the Shibukawa are staunchly opposed to peace with the Mongols. This brings them into frequent conflict with the Hosokawa. TOGASHI - The Togashi are a small neutral clan, isolated rulers of Kaga Province. They have serious problems with religiously inspired peasant revolts and are famous for their hatred of the Mongols. In recent years, they have suffered retaliatory raids for supporting "Wako" who attack the Korean coastline. TOKI - The Toki are a wealthy and powerful family, controlling Mino and Hida in the center of Japan. They are ferociously anti-Mongol, remaining otherwise neutral in politics. The current Lord of the Toki is a persona-non-grata in Kyoto, having offended the Western Emperor over the Mongol issue. As such, the Edo court has sent emissaries to sway the Toki to their side. UESUGI - The Uesugi are a small but wealthy clan, lords of Echigo Province on the Sea of Japan. They are neutral on the question of the Imperial Courts, but they have some familial ties to the Western Emperor. Thus they lean slightly towards Kyoto. The Uesugi have no great love for the Mongols, but generally have little interaction with them. YUKI - Lords of Awa Province near Edo, the wealthy Yuki Clan are an anomaly. They are closely tied to the Shogunate, but not directly involved with the dispute between the Imperial Courts. The Yuki have intermarried with the Ashikaga and can be counted on to support their initiatives.