The Asakura clan was originally a powerful local clan in Echizen Province (Fukui Prefecture) that became the senior vassal of the military governor of Echizen, the Shiba clan, after the period of the Northern and Southern Courts (Japan).
朝倉氏は元は越前国（福井県）の土豪であったが、南北朝時代(日本)を経て越前守護斯波氏の重臣となった。