Sakai clan

The Sakai family crest, as seen on a sashimono banner at the Metropolitan Museum

Himeji castle, home to the Sakai clan for much of the Edo period

• Japanese: 酒井 家 (Sakai ke)

The Sakai of Mikawa province were related to the Matsudaira clan, whom they served during the Sengoku Period. They became one of the chief retainer families of Tokugawa Ieyasu and were represented by a number of branches.

During the Edo period, the Sakai were initially daimyô of Maebashi han, and later of Himeji han, beginning with Sakai Tadazumi, while a branch of the family, starting with Sakai Tadakatsu, became lords of Obama han. The clan also boasted a sizable collection of works by painter Ogata Kôrin, which Sakai Hôitsu exhibited, cataloged, and drew inspiration from in creating his own artworks.

Members of the Sakai clan

Sakai Tadatsugu 1527-1596 Sakai Ietsugu 1564-1619 Sakai Shigetada 1549-1615 Sakai Tadayo 1572-1636 Sakai Tadakatsu 1587-1662 Sakai Tadakiyo 1624-1681 Sakai Tadazumi 1710-1772 Sakai Hôitsu 1761-1828 Sakai Tadayuki 1770-1828