The Haga of Shimotsuke province were related to the Utsunomiya and claimed descent from Kiyowara Takashige, who in the 7th Century incurred the displeasure of the Emperor Temmu and was exiled to Shimotsuke. The Haga branched off from the Utsunomiya much later and established themselves at Haga castle in the 12th Century. They served the Utsunomiya into the 16th Century, with a son of Utsunomiya Hirotsuna (1543-1580), Takasada, being named heir to the Haga house. They lost their lands when the Utsunomiya were dispossessed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
References
- Initial text from Sengoku Biographical Dictionary (Samurai-Archives.com) FWSeal & CEWest, 2005