Ōtomo

The Ōtomo were a samurai house that arose in Ōtomo village of Sagami Province, taking their name from that territory. They claimed Seiwa Genji descent, though a Fujiwara origin is likelier. Founder Yoshinao became shugo of Bungo and Buzen, and his descendants helped defend Kyūshū against the Mongol invasions of 1274 and 1281.

In 1333 the sixth head Sadamune joined the Shōni in destroying the Chinzei tandai at Dazaifu. The Ōtomo fought for Ashikaga Takauji and became shugo daimyō. In the Sengoku period the head Ōtomo Sōrin protected Jesuits, was baptized, and made Funai a center of Nanban culture with Japan's first Western-style hospital.

Defeats at Imayama in 1570 and Mimigawa in 1578 broke the clan's vassal network, and Shimazu armies burned Funai in 1586. Sōrin sought Toyotomi Hideyoshi's aid; his heir Yoshimune was dispossessed in 1593. His attempted restoration ended in defeat in 1600, though descendants survived as hatamoto.