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[[Image:Murakami2_mon.jpg|left|thumb|The ''[[kamon]]'' of the Murakami.]]

[[Image:Murakami2_mon.jpg|left|thumb|The ''[[kamon]]'' of the Murakami.]]

The Murakami of western Japan were well-known as pirates of the Inland Sea that generated income by collecting tolls and various fees on shipping. They were descended from the [[Seiwa Genji]], and composed of three branches, each with their own base of operations. By [[1550]], two of these branches were allied to the [[Mori clan (Aki)|Môri]]. They provided the bulk of the Môri's naval power and thus were key in establishing the Môri's domination of the Inland Sea, which lasted from around 1555-1576.  

The Murakami of western Japan were well-known as pirates of the Inland Sea that generated income by collecting tolls and various fees on shipping. They were descended from the [[Seiwa Genji]] through [[Murakami Yoshihiro]] (d. [[1374]]), and were composed of three branches, each with their own base of operations. By [[1550]], two of these branches were allied to the [[Mori clan (Aki)|Môri]]. They provided the bulk of the Môri's naval power and thus were key in establishing the Môri's domination of the Inland Sea, which lasted from around 1555-1576.  

The three branches, known as the [[Kurujima castle|Kurujima Murakami]]<ref>Also sometimes referred to as a new family/clan, the Kurushima (either 来島 or 久留島).</ref>, [[Noshima|Noshima Murakami]], and [[Innoshima|Innoshima Murakami]] after the islands where they were based, are said to have each been founded by one of three brothers. Accounts vary as to whether these were three sons of [[Murakami Yoshiaki]], or his two younger brothers and himself.

The three branches, known as the [[Kurujima castle|Kurujima Murakami]]<ref>Also sometimes referred to as a new family/clan, the Kurushima (either 来島 or 久留島).</ref>, [[Noshima|Noshima Murakami]], and [[Innoshima|Innoshima Murakami]] after the islands where they were based, are said to have each been founded by one of three brothers. Accounts vary as to whether these were three sons of [[Murakami Yoshiaki]], or his two younger brothers and himself. Yoshiaki was, in any case, the son of [[Murakami Morokiyo]], who was adopted from the [[Murakami clan (Shinano)|Murakami clan of Shinano]] by Yoshihiro, who had no biological sons of his own.

Father and son [[Murakami Michiyasu]] and [[Murakami Michifusa]] were among those most prominent and active in the [[Sengoku period]]. Michiyasu's wife was a daughter of [[Kono Michinao|Kôno Michinao]], and in [[1543]], Michinao named Michiyasu his successor, but some Murakami vassals who were opposed to this launched an attack on Kurujima; the matter was solved by turning over the decision of succession to [[Kono Michimasa|Kôno Michimasa]].

Father and son [[Murakami Michiyasu]] and [[Murakami Michifusa]] were among those most prominent and active in the [[Sengoku period]]. Michiyasu's wife was a daughter of [[Kono Michinao|Kôno Michinao]], and in [[1543]], Michinao named Michiyasu his successor, but some Murakami vassals who were opposed to this launched an attack on Kurujima; the matter was solved by turning over the decision of succession to [[Kono Michimasa|Kôno Michimasa]].