The Nakanobo clan was founded by a younger brother of Nagayoshi YAGYU, who was a descendant of SUGAWARA no Michizane; he became a follower of Kasagi-dera Temple in Yamashiro Province and called himself Nakanobo.
中坊氏は菅原道真の後裔柳生永珍の弟が山城国笠置寺の宗徒となって中坊氏を称したことに始まる。