− | The Matsuura of [[Hizen province]] had somewhat obscure origins, and may have originally been a collection of land-owners who united under the name 'Matsuura'. One theory holds that the Matsuura line that persisted into the [[Edo period]] was established by [[Minamoto no Hisashi]], a descendant of [[Emperor Saga]]. The Matsuura, known for their naval power (and involvement in piracy), survived the [[Sengoku period]] and in the Edo period became lords of [[Hirado han]]. | + | The Matsura of [[Hizen province]] had somewhat obscure origins, and may have originally been a collection of land-owners who united under the name 'Matsura'. One theory holds that the Matsura line that persisted into the [[Edo period]] was established by [[Minamoto no Hisashi]], a descendant of [[Emperor Saga]]. |
| + | The Matsura, known for their naval power (and involvement in piracy), survived the [[Sengoku period]] and in the Edo period became lords of [[Hirado han]]. Their territory included not only Hirado Island, but also the [[Iki Islands]] to the north and a number of islands between Hirado and the [[Goto Islands|Gotô Islands]] to the west. |