Nanbu

The Nanbu were a warrior family from Kai who established themselves in northern Mutsu. In the fourteenth century Nanbu Motoyuki built Ne Castle for the Southern Court, while another branch supported the Northern Court; the branches made peace in 1393.

In 1590 Nanbu Nobunao submitted to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who confirmed his lands but recognized the independence of the rival Tsugaru. Nobunao began building Morioka Castle in 1592, and his son Toshinao became the first lord of Morioka under the Tokugawa shogunate.