His family boasted a pedigree that taking sides with Takauji ASHIKAGA in the period of the Northern and Southern Courts (Japan), the clan became a meritorious retainer for foundation of the Muromachi bakufu, then was given the Bizen Province and the Mimasaka Province in addition to the Harima Province, and they became one of Shishiki (Four major feudal lords who worked for Muromachi bakufu).
南北朝時代(日本)では足利尊氏に与して室町幕府創業の功臣となり、播磨国の他に備前国、美作国を領し、幕府の四職のひとつとなっていた家柄である。