Ōsaki clan

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The Ōsaki clan (大崎氏, Ōsaki-shi^?) was a subordinate retainer family to Minamoto no Yoritomo throughout the end of the Heian Period to the rise of the Kamakura Shogunate of Feudal Japan. Moving their head domain to Mutsu Province after suffering internally by means of the initial conflict between the Northern and Southern Courts within Yoritomo's reign, the Ōsaki remained as a local power in Mutsu, presently holding such power until the 15th century. At the present time of 1536, the Ōsaki began to suffer internally, once again, at which Date Tanemune--the current head over the neighboring Date clan--willingly gave the former his second son, so that the Ōsaki may possess an immediate heir which could retain their clan's balance. In effect to this movement, the Ōsaki recovered from their detriment; but as they still remained weak in both power and influence, they became a retainer family under the Date, willingly supporting them as the time passed on, and eventually dying off in the name of this resolve.