Isonokami Hitoshi (born 1134) was the daimyo of the Isonokami. Lord of Omi Province from 1175 to 1190 and lord of Wakasa from 1190 until his death, Hitoshi was formerly an ally of the Kamakura Minamoto daimyo Minamoto Yoritomo but later defected to Emperor Go-Toba in the Kenkyu War.
Biography[]
Hitoshi was the daimyo of the Isonokami clan, and was aligned with the Fujiwara in the power struggles of the 12th century. As an ally of Honda Takashige, he assisted the Honda in their war against the Kamakura Minamoto branch of the powerful Minamoto samurai family. He made peace with them in 1183 after the Honda were made Minamoto vassals, and the Taira conquered his lands in 1184. He was not present when his lands fell, and when they were again liberated, he rejoined the Minamoto as a vassal.
But in 1190, a dispute between the Minamoto clan and Emperor Go-Toba and the imperial family led to violence in the Kenkyu War. Hitoshi received an appeal for aid and troops from the Emperor and the imperial family, so he decided to declare war on his former allies and assist the emperor's uprising. He briefly held Kyoto but lost Omi Province to the Minamoto, who made the Sasaki their vassals. Hitoshi continued the war from his northern province of Wakasa.