In 1189 Isa (Fujiwara) Tomomune was awarded the Date district of Mutsu Province by Minamoto Yoritomo for loyal service and adopted the name of his new home. In the period of the Northern and Southern Courts in the 14th and 15th centuries the Date initially fought for the Southern Court but eventually submitted to the Ashikaga. They expanded their influence during the Sengoku Period and reached their height under Date Masamune. The Date ruled the Sendai area into the Edo Period.