Kira

The Kira were a branch of the Ashikaga, named for their estate in Mikawa Province. During the Northern and Southern Courts period, the Mikawa family divided into the Saijō and Tōjō branches.

Kira Yoshiaki came to head both branches under Imagawa influence, but joined the Mikawa Ikkō uprising in 1563 and was defeated by Tokugawa Ieyasu. A branch later served the Tokugawa as masters of ceremony. In 1702 former retainers of Asano Naganori killed Kira Yoshinaka in the Akō vendetta, and his main house lost its status.