Hei

The Hei were a samurai house of Mutsu Province, holding the Hei district on the Pacific coast around Miyako. Their tradition claimed descent from Minamoto no Tametomo through a son adopted by Sasaki Takatsuna; after the Oshu war of 1189 Yorimoto moved from Kesen to Hei in the 1190s and took its name. Scholars consider the family more likely a branch of the Sasaki.

As Kamakura gokenin they ruled as stewards, and Mitsuyori's inheritance dispute was settled by regent Hojo Takatoki. In 1333 Mitsuyori's son Chikamitsu joined Kitabatake Akiie's Southern Court army, fighting at Teshimagawara and Aonogahara before defeat at Ishizu.

The main line built Takasari Castle and took its name, heading the thirteen Takasari houses and breeding horses prized in Kyoto. Pressed by the Nanbu, they submitted; after Hideyoshi confirmed Nanbu holdings in 1590, they became retainers and served the Morioka Domain.