Inawashiro

The Inawashiro were a branch of the Ashina warrior family, based at Inawashiro Castle in Mutsu. Though senior Ashina retainers, they often asserted their independence and rebelled against their overlords.

Inawashiro Morikuni retired in 1585 in favor of his son Moritane, but later sought to disinherit him. In 1588 Morikuni defected to the Date and admitted their troops to the castle, helping bring about the Ashina defeat at Suriagehara. Date Masamune rewarded him in 1589; Morikuni later followed Masamune out of Aizu.