Akana

The Akana of Izumo were a branch of the Sawa clan of Iwami, who claimed descent from the Heian scholar Miyoshi no Kiyoyuki. Sawa Sanetsura's second son Tsunetsura became steward of Akana manor during the Nanboku-chō wars; the line took the place-name as its surname in Sawa Hiroyuki's time.

In 1518 the Akana swore allegiance to Amago Tsunehisa, while the Sawa chose the Ōuchi. In 1542 Ōuchi Yoshitaka besieged Akana Castle; the head Mitsukiyo held it for two months with Amago help before falling, whereupon his father Hisakiyo surrendered.

Mitsukiyo's third son Morikiyo became head and surrendered to Mōri Motonari in 1562. The Akana served the Mōri and the Kikkawa, fighting in Korea, until Motoyoshi took the surname Nakagawa in 1599; the family lived on as Chōshū retainers.