Akana

The Akana were local lords of Akana estate in Izumo Province, descended from the Sawa family of Iwami. Their mountain castle stood near the borders of Izumo, Iwami and Bingo.

In 1542 Akana Mitsukiyo held the castle against Ōuchi Yoshitaka for two months before he was killed and the garrison surrendered. Akana Morikiyo submitted to the invading Mōri in 1562; in 1599 his successor Motoki adopted the name Nakagawa, and the family continued in Mōri service.