The Kôno of Iyo province claimed descent from Iyo-shinnô, a son of the Emperor Kammu (r. 781-806). Powerful in Iyo Province for centuries, they supported Minamoto Yoritomo in the Gempei War (1180-85) and played a notable role in the Mongol Invasions of the 13th Century. During the Nambokucho Period they at first supported the Ashikaga, then shifted their loyalty to the Southern Court. Their hold on Iyo Province was steadily weakened during the early Sengoku Period and at length their domain fell to the Chosokabe of Tosa province. An ill-fated attempt by Kôno loyalists in 1600 to restore their clan to Iyo with Môri support ended in defeat at the hands of the Katô.
References
- Initial text from Sengoku Biographical Dictionary (Samurai-Archives.com) FWSeal & CEWest, 2005