Ueno

The Ueno of Mikawa were a cadet branch of the Ashikaga house, founded by Ueno Yoshibumi, son of Ashikaga Yasuuji. Yoshibumi took his name from the Ueno estate in Mikawa. His grandson Yorikane followed Ashikaga Takauji against the Kamakura shogunate, retreated to Kyushu, and fought the Kikuchi in 1336; he later became constable of Iwami and campaigned for the Northern Court.

Though the house held constable posts, none became hereditary, and its main line served the Ashikaga shoguns in Kyoto. In 1509 Ueno Nobutaka went to Bitchu to secure the restored Shogun Ashikaga Yoshitane's position, founding a branch.

One line at Bitchu Matsuyama Castle was destroyed by Sho Arisuke in 1533, while Ueno Takatomo, who held Joyama Castle in Bizen and backed the Mimura against the Mori, was overrun by Kobayakawa Takakage in 1575. A further branch served the Otomo in Bungo.