Yukinori, the founder of the Watari clan and the Torii clan, was from a family of Kumano Gongen Shinto priests in Kii Province. He was given the family name of Taira from Taira no Kiyomori, and was named Taira no Yukinori. His son Yukitada, moved to Yahagasho in Mikawa Province after the Jokyu War (1221), and changed his name to 'Watari'. During the disturbance of the Northern and Southern Courts, Watari Tadakage fought for Nitta Yoshisada of the Southern Court, and changed his name to 'Torii'. Loyal retainers of the
Tokugawa clan since the 16th century, the Torii are perhaps most famous for the bravery and valor of
Torii Sune'emon, who was crucified by
Takeda Katsuyori at the 1575
siege of Nagashino castle, and for
Torii Mototada whose Seppuku is one of the most celebrated in the whole thousand years of Samurai history. The family was originally granted the fief of Yahagi in
Shimōsa Province in 1590. It was worth 40,000
koku. Following the establishment of the
Tokugawa shogunate, in 1606 the Torii were given
Iwakidaira Domain in
Mutsu Province, worth 100,000
koku. Then, in 1622 they moved once more to
Yamagata Domain in
Dewa Province, with an annual income of 260,000
koku.
Torii Tadatsune died without an heir in 1636, and his fief thus reverted to the shogunate; his brother
Torii Tadaharu was given
Takatō Domain in
Shinano province (30,000
koku). ==Members of note==