Matsuda

The Matsuda of Sagami originated in Ashigara as a leading house of the Hatano, heirs of Fujiwara no Hidesato. Aritsune's father fought Minamoto no Yoritomo at Ishibashiyama in 1180 and held Matsuda Castle before being forced to his death. Aritsune was pardoned and granted the Matsuda estate, from which the family took its name.

Many Matsuda joined Wada Yoshimori's rising in 1213. In 1333 the clan fought with Nitta Yoshisada against the Hojo and later supported the Southern Court. A branch had already moved to Bizen, where Ukita Naoie destroyed it in 1568.

The Sagami line backed Ise Moritoki when he seized Odawara Castle in 1495 and became chief councillors of the Later Hojo. Matsuda Norihide was their foremost councillor during the 1590 Odawara campaign. After the Hojo fall the Matsuda entered Maeda service in Kaga, while a cadet line became Tokugawa hatamoto.