Ryūzōji clan (Japanese: 龍造寺氏, Hepburn: Ryūzōji-shi) was a Japanese kin group which traces its origin to Hizen Province on the island of Kyushu.[1]

Ryūzōji clan
龍造寺
The emblem (mon) of the Ryūzōji clan
Home provinceHizen
Parent houseFujiwara clan
TitlesDaimyo
FounderFujiwara no Suie
Final rulerRyūzōji Masaie
Founding year1186
Dissolution1607
Ruled until1607, death of Ryūzōji Masaie

History

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The clan was founded by Fujiwara no Suekiyo in 1186.[2] The clan was allied with Ashikaga Takauji in 1336, but they were defeated in fighting with the Ōtomo clan to the east and Shimazu clan to the south.[1]

 
Ryūzōji Takanobu

Ryūzōji Takanobu is known for expanding his clan's holdings. He took land from the Shōni clan.[2] Ryūzōji Masaie (1556–1607) was the son of Takanobu. In 1587, Masaie joined the forces of Toyotomi Hideyoshi against the Shimazu clan. In the same year, he was confirmed as head of the Saga Domain (350,000 koku), but control of the domain passed to Nabeshima Naoshige[3] when Masaie was killed in battle.[1]

Notable clan leaders

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Notable members

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Notable retainers

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Hōki" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 802.
  2. ^ a b "Ryūzōji clan". kotobank. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  3. ^ Papinot, Jacques Edmond Joseph. (1906). Dictionnaire d'histoire et de géographie du Japon; Papinot, (2003). "Ryūzōji", Nobiliare du Japon, p. 50 [PDF 54 of 80]; retrieved 2013-5-2.

Bibliography

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