The founder of the domain was Takasue KUKI, the grandson of Yoshitaka KUKI who was a general in the navy under Nobunaga ODA and achieved prominence in the Sengoku Period (Period of Warring States).
藩祖は九鬼隆季で、戦国時代(日本)に織田信長に仕えて名を馳せた水軍の将・九鬼嘉隆の孫である。