History of the Ii Clan

Making a Mark on Samurai History and Culture

The Ii clan were the daimyo, feudal lords and governors of the eastern and northern areas of Omi Province, modern-day Shiga Prefecture, ruling from their magnificent Hikone Castle throughout the 260 years of the 1603 to 1867 Edo period. The Ii clan claims its descent from the ninth century Chancellor of the Realm, the influential Fujiwara no Yoshikado, and originated in Totomi Province, in what is now western Shizuoka Prefecture. Originally retainers to the powerful Imagawa clan, they had changed their allegiance to the Matsudaira, later to become the Tokugawa clan. Such was their loyalty and bravery, they became the chief vassals of the Tokugawa.