Nanboku-chō period During the
Nanboku-chō period, the brothers Nitsuki Yoriaki and Yoshinaga, who were sixth generation descendants of Sanekuni, provided military service to
shogun Ashikaga Takauji. In 1351, Yoriaki became a
steward to Takauji and held the office until Takauji's death in 1358. Aided by Yoriaki's political power, the Nitsukis simultaneously served as governors of nine provinces in the early
Nanboku-chō period: Yoriaki became the Governor of
Tamba and
Musashi Provinces, and Yoshinaga became the Governor of
Totomi,
Ise,
Iga, and Mikawa Provinces. In 1360, Nitsuki Yoshinaga confronted
Hosokawa Kiyouji and
Hatakeyama Kunikiyo, but eventually retreated to Ise Province and later returned to the shogunate. Yoshinaga's descendants became the Governors of Ise and Iga Provinces, but the clan was divided during the
Ōnin War (1467–77). Kenji Imaoka has speculated that the branch may belong to Yoshinaga's family from the clan name Dobashi.
Ōnin War During the Ōnin War, Tamba Nitsuki Narinaga fought for the eastern army, and Ise Nitsuki Norimasa fought for the western army. In addition, Iga Nitsuki was accompanying
Ashikaga Yoshimi during his return in 1468. In 1477, Iga Nitsuki attacked
Yamashiro Province, and fought
Hatakeyama Yoshinari of the western army at Kizu Castle. Furthermore, in 1473, Iga Nitsuki can be seen in
Fuchikawa no Ki safeguarding
Ichijō Kaneyoshi, who is traveling to
Mino Province. Following the clan's division during the war, the clan gradually declined.
Edo period Later, the clan was indigenous to
Mimasaka Province (present-day
Okayama Prefecture). In the
Edo period, some branches of the Nitsuki clan later became retainers to the
Tokugawa shogunate as well as retainers to the
Mōri clan. == See also ==