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Everywhere in Japan, there are prestigious families known as "local celebrities." It is not uncommon for people to say, "We are just an ordinary family," but if you trace their ancestry closely, you will find that they are actually descended from a distinguished samurai family
In this article, we look into the surnames of prestigious families in Aomori Prefecture. If you have ever had a classmate with a surname like that, it's possible that they actually come from a good family
30 surnames in Aomori Prefecture that are linked to prestigious families and prominent households (in alphabeticalorder)
Many prominent families in Aomori Prefecture are samurai families with roots in the Nanbu clan , who built a vast territory and distributed their family members throughout the region . It gives the strong impression that even families with completely different surnames can be traced back to the Nanbu clan.
Awaya
A wealthy merchant family from Echizen-cho, Aomori (present-day Aomori City). The founder, a sailor on a Kitamae ship, was shipwrecked off the coast of Tappi. After being rescued, he started a fish shop in Aomori"Awaya."Later,"Taisei,"and after the Meiji Restoration, he grew into one of Aomori's leading wealthy merchant families.
Ichichoda
A branch of the Mutsu Ōura clan. Theythe younger brother of Nanbu Mitsunobu (later Ōura Mitsunobu), a member of the Nanbu Kuji clan, and were a samurai family based at Ichimachi-yakata in Ichimachi-mura, Tsugaru District, Mutsu Province (present-day Ichimachi-ya, Hirosaki City). They served the Tsugaru clan for generations, became samurai of the Tsugaru domain during the Edo period, and changed their name to Nishidate.
According to Myoji Yurai Net , which lists the number of people with each surname nationwide based on government statistics and national telephone directory data , there are still about 60 people in Hirosaki City who bear the surname "Ichimachida".
Oura
The clan's origins trace back to Nanbu Mitsunobu (later Oura Mitsunobu) , a member of the Nanbu Kuji clan, who entered Taneri Castle in Ajigasawa Town, Nishitsugaru District, to keep the Ando clan in check. Later, in 1502, he built Oura Castle in what is now Kata-Godai, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, and established it as his base, subsequently adopting the name Oura. During the time of his descendant, Oura Tamenobu , the clan became independent from the Nanbu clan and later became the Tsugaru clan
A local clan in the northern part of Mutsu Province. They are said to be a branch of the Ogasawara clan, who moved to the area around the Kamakura period following Nanbu Mitsuyuki, the founder of the Nanbu clan. They took the name Okuse because they followed the Nanbu clan and based themselves in Okuse Castle, which was located in what is now Okuse, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture. During the Sengoku period, they served as the Nanbu clan's deputy governor, based in Abukawa Castle (now Nishitazawa, Aomori City)
According to Myoji Yurai Net , which lists the number of people with the surname nationwide based on government statistics and national telephone directory data , there are currently about 1,100 people with the surname Okuse throughout Japan, with more than 500 of them concentrated in Aomori Prefecture.
Comb puller
A local lord of Sannohe District in Mutsu Province. They are considered a branch of the Shinohe clan, a family of the Nanbu clan, and as their name suggests, they were based at Kushibiki Castle (present-day Kushibiki-kanjin, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture) and were involved in the Shinto rituals of Kushibiki Hachimangu Shrine
According to Myoji Yurai Net , which lists the number of people with the surname nationwide based on government statistics and national telephone directory data , there are currently about 3,000 people with the surname Kushibiki throughout Japan, with approximately 1,200 concentrated in Aomori Prefecture and 900 in Hokkaido.
Shichinohe
The Nanbu clan of Hachinohe, a branch of the Tsugaru clan, is a local lord. There are various theories as to the origin of the Nanbu clan, including one that the third son, Asaakira, or the fourth son, Asaakira, of Nanbu Mitsuyuki, the founder of the Nanbu clan, was the first to take the name Shichinohe, and another that Nanbu Masamitsu, the eighth head of the Nejo Nanbu clan, handed over the family headship in his later years and retired to Shichinohe Castle, becoming the ancestor of the Shichinohe clan
Shinohe
The Nanbu clan is said to have originated when Munekiyo, the fifth son of Nanbu Mitsuyuki, the founder of the Nanbu clan, was given the town of Yonohe in Ninohe County and took the name Yonohe. The Yonohe clan has branches including the Takeda, Kindaichi, Kushibiki, Nakano, and Nukazuka clans
Sugiyama
A retainer of the Tsugaru domain, said to be a descendant of Ishida Mitsunari, one of the Five Commissioners who played a central role in the Toyotomi regime during the Azuchi-Momoyama period . It is said that Ishida Shigenari, the second son of Mitsunari who served as a page to Toyotomi Hideyori , fled to Tsugaru after the defeat at the Battle of Sekigahara, changed his surname to "Sugiyama," and settled in Fukami Village (present-day Itayanagi Town, Kitatsugaru District), where he received protection from the Tsugaru domain.
Shigenari's eldest son, Yoshinari, married the daughter of Tsugaru Nobuhira, the second lord of the Hirosaki domain, and became a chief retainer. From then on, the Sugiyama family continued to serve as senior retainers of the Hirosaki domain for generations
Perhaps due to their connection with Ishida Mitsunari, the tombs of Shigenari and successive generations of the Sugiyama family at Sōtoku-ji Temple (Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture) bear the Toyotomi surname
Seito
This is an old family residence in Saruga Village, Tsugaru District (present-day Sarugaishibayashi, Hirakawa City). The garden "Seibien," created by the 24th head of the family, Seito Moriyoshi, was counted as one of the three most famous gardens of the Meiji era and is still cherished today as a nationally designated scenic spot.
They were local lords from Hiraga County, Mutsu Province (present-day Hirakawa City and Owani Town area). Although much of their family tree is unclear, they are said to have descended from Tako Danjozaemon Mitsuyasu, the fourth son of Nanbu Nobutoki, the 20th head of the Nanbu clan. According to the "Short History of the Nukabe Five Counties," Mitsuyasu's grandson, Kageyuki, was based in Daikoji (present-day Hirakawa City) and called himself the Daikoji clan
Daido-ji Temple
The chief retainer of the Tsugaru domain. The name Daidouji comes from the fact that it originated in Daidouji, Tsuzuki County, Yamashiro Province (present-day Ujitawara Town, Tsuzuki County, Kyoto Prefecture). A senior retainer of the Hojo clan since Hojo Soun, Daidouji Naohide, a descendant of the Hojo clan, passed through Owari and became a retainer of the Tsugaru domain after the downfall of the Hojo clan
Daidoji Masashige , a senior retainer of the Hojo clan during the Sengoku period, is famous for resisting Toyotomi Hideyoshi's siege of Odawara as the castellan of Matsuida Castle in Kozuke Province .
Takeda
He was a wealthy merchant from Kanagi, Tsugaru County (present-day Kanagicho, Goshogawara City). He opened the Kanagiya kimono store near Hirosaki Castle and became a purveyor to the Hirosaki Domain. He grew into one of Tsugaru's leading merchants during the Meiji period
Tsugaru
It all began when Nanbu Mitsunobu, a member of the Nanbu Kuji clan, entered Taneri Castle in Ajigasawa Town, Nishitsugaru District, to keep the Ando clan in check. His descendant, Oura Tamenobu, staged a so-called"gekokujo"the Nanbu clan, attacking and capturing Ishikawa Castle (present-day Ishikawa Daibutsu-shita, Hirosaki City), which was the residence of Ishikawa Takanobu, a senior retainer of the Nanbu clan, and thus gaining independence from the Nanbu clan.
Later, Toyotomi Hideyoshi recognized his territory in Tsugaru, and around this time he changed his surname from Oura to Tsugaru. After the Battle of Sekigahara,he established the Hirosaki Domain, and Tamenobu became its first lord.
A wealthy farming family in Kanagi, Tsugaru District (present-day Kanagi-cho, Goshogawara City). Coming from a family of shrewd businesspeople, they succeeded in various ventures such as used clothing stores, tofu shops, and finance, accumulating land and becoming major landowners. The family produced many prominent figures, including politicians and actors, the most famous of whom was therenowned author Osamu Dazai (real name: Shuji Tsushima).
The Tsushima family's mansion in Kanagi Town was sold after the war and briefly became a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) called "Shayokan." Currently, it is preserved and open to the public as the Dazai Osamu Memorial Museum, also called "Shayokan."
Tago Danjozaemon Mitsuyasu , the fourth son of Nanbu Nobutoki, the 20th head of the Nanbu clan, moved from Tago Manor (present-day Tago Town, Sannohe District) to Tsutsumigaura Castle (present-day Matsubara area, Aomori City) and adopted the name Tsutsumi. Furthermore, he built Yokouchi Castle to the south (present-day Yokouchi, Aomori City), and it is said that he used Tsutsumigaura Castle as his administrative center in peacetime and Yokouchi Castle as a stronghold in times of war, thus exerting influence in the surrounding area.
Tsubota
A wealthy farmer from Tsugaru County, he is said to have moved from Omi Province to Oyosawa, Tsugaru County (now Oyosawa, Namioka, Aomori City) and started out running a teahouse on a mountain pass
Tsurugiji
A wealthy merchant from Wakinosawa, Kita-gun (present-day Mutsu City). He took the name Kenji because he was from Kenji Village, Hoji-gun, Noto Province (present-day Monzen-Kenji, Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture). He ran a shipping wholesale business and made his fortune mainly through trading in Aomori cypress
Tonuma
He was a wealthy merchant from Ajigasawa Port in Tsugaru District (present-day Ajigasawa Town). He went by the name "Yamajime Ni" and also served as a shipowner, shipping agent, and town headman under the name "Shioya"
After the marriage between the Takanuma and Shichinohe families, it is said that they borrowed one character from each family, "Numa" and "To," and took the name "Tonuma."
Tobishima Island
A wealthy merchant from Goshogawara, Tsugaru County (present-day Goshogawara City). He took the name Tobishima because he was originally from Tobishima, Dewa Province (Yamagata Prefecture). He made his fortune by developing new fields, and the fourth generation was appointed to the Go clan and was allowed to wear a sword
According to Myoji Yurai Net , which lists the number of people with the surname nationwide based on government statistics and national telephone directory data , there are currently about 700 people with the surname Tobishima throughout Japan, with more than 300 of them concentrated in Aomori Prefecture and Hokkaido.
Namioka
A feudal lord of Tsugaru during the Sengoku period. He was abranchof the Kitabatake family, a noble family of the Murakami Minamoto clan. He is said to be descended from Kitabatake Akiie, who moved to Tagajo in Mutsu Province, or his younger brother Akinobu.
The main branch of the Kitabatake clan in Namioka"Namioka Gosho," "Ogosho,"or"Kita no Gosho,"and continued to wield power until the Tensho era.
A wealthy farmer from Asaseishi, Tsugaru County (present-day Kuroishi City). Originally a samurai family, he is said to have returned to farming after the downfall of his master's family. During the Edo period, he was involved in cedar plantation projects as part of the domain's development supervision
Narumi Brewery in Kuroishi City, known for its famous sake brands such as "Hisamaru," "Kikunoi," and "Inamuraya Bunshiro," is a branch of the family.
A Sengoku daimyo who had power in what are now Aomori and Iwate prefectures
The Nanbu clan descended from the Kai Genji clan and is said to have entered Mutsu Province from what is now Nanbu Town, Yamanashi Prefecture during the Kamakura period. They established a system of four gates and nine households centered around the Nukabe region, and placed clan members in various places. Among them, the main lineages, the Sannohe Nanbu clan and the Hachinohe Nanbu clan, held great influence
The Nanbu clan expanded its territory the most under Harumasa, the 24th head of the Sannohe clan , and it was said that their territory encompassed most of Aomori Prefecture and the northern half of Iwate Prefecture, to the point that it was proclaimed "Nanbu territory extends until the crescent moon becomes full."
A wealthy merchant family from Noheji, Kitagun (present-day Noheji Town). For generations,"Jisaburo." They also served as official merchants for the Nanbu clan, and after the Meiji Restoration, became one of Aomori's leading landowners. They produced notable figures such as members of the House of Peers and the House of Representatives.
Noro
A wealthy farmer from Kizukuri (now Kizukuri Town), Tsugaru County. He devoted himself to the development of new fields, and is said to have developed as many as 66 villages around Kizukuri
Hirayama
A wealthy farmer and merchant from Minato Village, Tsugaru County (present-day Goshogawara City). He served as the village's chief official since its founding, and generations of his family served as clerks at the Hirota-gumi magistrate's office, dam magistrates, embankment magistrates, and local samurai. The 10th generation, Tamenosuke, became a member of the House of Representatives and later served in important positions such as president of Mutsu Bank and the first president of Tsugaru Railway
The family's home has been designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan and is preserved and open to the public
A local lord of Sannohe County, Mutsu Province. During the Chokyo era, Masahide, the eldest son of a man named Kimura Hidekatsu, ruled Torai-go (present-day Torai, Shingo Village, Sannohe County) and is said to have taken the name Torai
Regarding Herai, there are currently urban legends circulating that , along with the "Tomb of Christ" in Shingo Village , Herai is equivalent to Hebrew
A local lord of Sannohe County, Mutsu Province. Originating from Yoneda, Sannohe County (present-day Yoneda, Towada City). During the Edo period, he became a samurai of the Nanbu Domain
Matsuhashi
A wealthy merchant family from Niida Village, Sannohe District (present-day Niida, Hachinohe City). They traditionally"Sonsuke"and served as official merchants for the Hachinohe Domain. They were involved in sake brewing and shipping.
Murai
A wealthy merchant in the castle town of Hachinohe (present-day Hachinohe City). It began when Ihei Murai of Otsukaya, from Omi Province, opened a shop in Mikka-machi, Hachinohe Castle town. He made large donations to the domain and obtained the status of a "privileged merchant." Along with "Omiya" and "Minoya" in the same castle town, it was known as one of the "Three Shops of Hachinohe."
Morita
A wealthy merchant from Shichinohe, Kitagun (present-day Shichinohe Town). Said to be a descendant of Ishida Mitsunari. It is said that the family business began in Shichinohe during the Genroku era when the first Ishida Kiheiji from Omi Province"Otsukaya." They engaged in a wide range of businesses, including sake brewing and kimono shops, and became the wealthiest merchant family in Shichinohe. In 1756, when they were granted the right to bear a surname and sword, they combined the character "田" from the Ishida family name with the character "盛" from the Morioka Domain and adopted the name Morita.
Morita Ranch was established in the 1800s , and its racehorses have won prestigious races such as the Japanese Derby and the Emperor's Cup. However, as the center of racehorse breeding shifted to Hokkaido, the ranch declined and closed in 2006.
All facilities, including the "curved houses" that were characteristic of the former Nanbu domain, have been preserved in good condition, and eight properties within the former site have been registered as tangible cultural properties
Traveling around the Tohoku region, I enjoy drinking delicious sake and exploring the local history, traditions, and customs. I write articles based on my interests. I'm currently interested in folk performing arts, local toys, and folk beliefs
![22814530_m](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/22814530_m-150x150.jpg.webp "The crisp texture of "Nebuta Pickles" is a must-have for rice and sake! [Aomori Prefecture]")
![Statue of Tsugaru Tamenobu in front of Hirosaki Cultural Center](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DSC_4299-150x150.jpg.webp "A pilgrimage to the family temples of the Tsugaru clan, lords of Hirosaki Domain: "Kakushu-ji Temple," "Chosho-ji Temple," and "Takateru Shrine" [Aomori Prefecture]")
