- Japanese: 阿部氏 (Abe-shi)
The Abe clan was among the oldest in Japan, claiming Imperial descent and possibly originating as early as the Yamato period. The Abe were prominent during the Heian period and experienced a resurgence in the 18th century; during the Edo period the clan was based in Mikawa province, later becoming lords of Fukuyama han in Bingo province. Several lords of Fukuyama, Abe Masahiro most prominent among them, served as rôjû, or in other top-level positions in the Tokugawa shogunate government.
| Members of the Abe clan | |
References
- Initial text from Sengoku Biographical Dictionary (Samurai-Archives.com) FWSeal & CEWest, 2005