Tō

The To were a cadet branch of the Chiba clan, of Kanmu Heishi descent. Their ancestor Taneyori, sixth son of Chiba Tsunetane, took his name from Higashi manor in Shimosa. In 1180 he persuaded his father to join Minamoto no Yoritomo and helped destroy the Taira-appointed deputy of Shimosa.

Early heads were known as poets: Shigetane won the confidence of Shogun Minamoto no Sanetomo, and Taneyuki served four shoguns through verse and calligraphy. A branch settled at Shinowaki Castle in Gujo, Mino. Its ninth head Tsuneyori recovered the castle from Saito Myochin through poetry in 1469 and delivered the secret Kokin denju lectures to the poet Sogi in 1471.

In 1559 the head Jokei was slain by his son-in-law Endo Morikazu, who inherited the estates. The Endo became lords of Gujo domain; their last lord reverted to the To name and became a viscount.