The Asakura clan was in fact a powerful branch of the Ashikaga Shogun's family, and as kokujin were hikan (low level bureaucrats) for the Shiba clan, who for generations held the top position among the sankanrei (three deputies).
朝倉氏はそもそも、足利将軍家の有力一門で、代々三管領筆頭の地位を占めた斯波氏の被官であった国人の一人であった。