• First Ruler: Date Tomomune
• Final Ruler: –
• Dissolution: –
• For a full list of Japanese Clans see: Clans.

Date Clan

The Date Clan (伊達氏) are descendants of Isa Tomomune, who later changed his name to Date Tomomune. After helping Minamoto no Yoritomo defeat his brother Yoshitsune in 1189 he was given the Date Dictrict of Mutsu Province from which he made the clan name.¹²

Acting as daimyō from the Kamakura to the Edo Period,¹ they fought on the side of the Southern Court, siding with the Ashikaga Clan.²

In 1536, Date Tanemune created a familial and provinsial code called the Jinkaishū.²

During the Battle of Sekigahara, under the leadership of Date Masamune, they fought on the side of Tokugawa Ieyasu, and so due to aiding him they retained their lands in the aftermath,¹² they were also given the Sendai Domain in Mutsu Province for their help in the battle.¹

Between the years of 1660 and 1670 the family underwent a succession struggle, called the Date Sōdō, between Date Tsunamune, Date Tsunamura and Date Munekatsu.²

Branches of this familiy are known to have controlled the Yoshida and Uwajima Domains in Iyo Province.¹

Members of the Clan

• Isa Tomomune –
• Date Masamune – 1567-1635
• Date Munekatsu – 1621-1679
• Date Tanemune – 1488-1565
• Date Teramune – d.1584
• Date Tsunamune – 1640-1711
• Date Tsunamura – 1659-1719

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.

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• • For all battles on the site see: List of Battles.

Date Sōdō

The Date Sōdō (伊達騒動 – Date Disturbance) was a small clash in the Date Clan at the hands of Date Munekatsu. between the years of 1660-1670.¹²

Date Tsunamura replaced his fathed Tsunamune as daimyō of the Sendai Domain, though in reality it was Munekatsu who held the strings of power.²

In 1666, an attendant of Tsunamura’s died after taste testing his food, with rumours saying Munekatsu was the one behind the plan, by 1670 Munekatsu’s poor governing was reported to the shogunate, and months later Sakai Tadakiyo was murdered by one of Munekatsu’s officials as he was about the sentence him for his bad governing. This assassin was beheaded and Munekatsu was exiled to the Tosa Domain.¹

This ended the Date Sōdō.

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.

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• Period: Edo Period
• Occupation: Daimyō
• Family: Date Tsunamura (nephew) Date Tsunamune (brother)
• Birth: 1621
• Death: 1679

Date Munekatsu

Date Munekatsu (伊達宗勝) was a daimyō and member of the Date Clan, brother to Date Tsunamune and uncle of Date Tsunamura.¹ He lived from 1621-1679.²

He devised  a plot to have his brother displaced, having his nephew instated as daimyō so that he could control his nephew and gain control.¹²

This series of events led to the Date Sōdō. During this time in 1666, an attendant of Tsunamura’s died after taste testing his food, with rumours saying Munekatsu was the one behind the plan, by 1670 Munekatsu’s poor governing was reported to the shogunate, and months later Sakai Tadakiyo was murdered by one of Munekatsu’s officials as he was about the sentence him for his bad governing. This assassin was beheaded and Munekatsu was exiled to the Tosa Domain.¹

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.

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• Period: Edo Period
• Occupation: Daimyō of the Sendai Domain
• Family: Date Tsunamune (father) Date Munekatsu (uncle)
• Birth: 1659
• Death: 1719
• Sendai Domain Daimyō Succession: Predecessor Date Tsunamune * Successor Date Yoshimura

Date Tsunamura

Date Tsunamura (伊達綱村) was a daimyō of the Sendai Domain, living from 1659-1719.¹ A member of the Date Clan, his father was Date Tsunamune¹ and he was the nephew of Date Munekatsu.²

He succeeded his father though at first power really lie with his uncle Munekatsu.¹ In 1666 one of his attendants died after tasting his food, rumours saying his uncle was the cause of the attempted poisoning, these events later being called the Date Sōdō.²

Later during his time as daimyō he improved the administration of the land and developed the arts.¹

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.

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• Period: Edo Period
• Occupation: Daimyō of the Sendai Domain
• Family: Date Tsunamura (son) Date Munekatsu (brother)
• Birth: 1640
• Death: 1711
• Sendai Domain Daimyō Succession: Predecessor Date Tadamune * Successor Date Tsunamura

Date Tsunamune

Date Tsunamune (伊達 綱宗) was a daimyō of the Sendai Domain, living from 1640-1711.¹ A member of the Date Clan, his son was Date Tsunamura¹ and he was the brother of Date Munekatsu.²

He was arrested by the shogunate for disturbance probably caused by Munekatsu which ultimately led to the Date Sōdō. After the eventual exile of Munekatsu following the Date Sōdō Tsunamune regained his daimyō title.¹

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.

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	Check out our Gaming Channel on Youtube. Instagram (Minecraft): @mycenria
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