Kobayakawa clan

Kobayakawa clan (小早川氏, Kobayakawa-shi) was a samurai clan of Japan's Sengoku period, whose holdings were in Chugoku region. Kobayakawa Masahira and Kobayakawa Masakage who were Kobayakawa Shigehira sons build each family in Numata (by Masahira) and Takehara (by Masakage). Members of the Kobayakawa family served under the Mōri clan, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In fact ,Kobayakawa clan however had the power of administrating politics in the West Japan because the family head at that time, Kobayakawa Takakage, was Mori Terumoto's uncle and was recognized as one of the best statesman by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. So, Kobayakawa Takakage was appointed a member of Council of Five Elders by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Close allies with the Kikkawa family, the Kobayakawa fought alongside the Kikkawa, Mōri, Toyotomi, and Ōtomo clans against the Shimazu, for control of Kyūshū at the end of the 16th century; they were awarded Chikuzen Province as their fief following the Shimazu's defeat. Kobayakawa clan was severed in Edo period. However, Kobayakawa clan restored by Mori clan was granted a title of baronage in Meiji period. In addition, Kusai clan which is a branch of Kobayakawa family in Takehara retrieve one fortunes, too.