The Itô claimed descent from Fujiwara Korekimi (727-789) and were powerful in Hyûga until 1578. They were long-time rivals of the Shimazu and lost their lands as a result of this war in the 1570's. The Itô were re-established in Hyûga by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1587.
References
- Initial text from Sengoku Biographical Dictionary (Samurai-Archives.com) FWSeal & CEWest, 2005