Yamashiro

The Yamashiro were a warrior family of Hizen Province in northern Kyushu and a branch of the Matsura federation. The line began with Yamashiro Kakoi, sixth son of Matsura Naotsura, who made his base in Kanzaki district.

During the Mongol invasions of the late thirteenth century Yamashiro Kizuna fought beside the Matsura head Sashi Fususa and was killed. After the Kamakura shogunate fell the family took the Northern Court side, and in 1359 Yamashiro Hiroshi fought under Shōni Yorihisa at the Battle of the Chikugo River.

They served the Shōni until that house was destroyed by the Ryūzōji clan with Ōuchi backing. Yamashiro Kiyoshi joined a failed attempt to restore the Shōni. When Toyotomi Hideyoshi conquered Kyushu, Yamashiro Sada had his family lands confirmed, and the house afterwards served the Nabeshima lords of the Saga domain.