The Asai's origins are obscure but they may have been descended from the [[Ogimachi clan|Ôgimachi]], a ''[[kuge]]'' family. The Asai were formerly retainers of the [[Kyogoku clan|Kyôgoku]] and rebelled against that house in [[1516]]. They struggled to expand their domain in [[Omi province|Ômi]] at the expense of the [[Rokkaku clan|Rokkaku]] and came to eclipse the Kyôgoku. In the process close ties were forged with the [[Asakura clan|Asakura of Echizen]]. The Asai broke an alliance with [[Oda Nobunaga]] in [[1570]] and were eliminated in [[1573]]. 'Asai' is often pronounced 'Azai'.
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The Asai's origins are obscure but they may have been descended from the [[Ogimachi family|Ôgimachi]], a ''[[kuge]]'' family. The Asai were formerly retainers of the [[Kyogoku clan|Kyôgoku]] and rebelled against that house in [[1516]]. They struggled to expand their domain in [[Omi province|Ômi]] at the expense of the [[Rokkaku clan|Rokkaku]] and came to eclipse the Kyôgoku. In the process close ties were forged with the [[Asakura clan|Asakura of Echizen]]. The Asai broke an alliance with [[Oda Nobunaga]] in [[1570]] and were eliminated in [[1573]]. 'Asai' is often pronounced 'Azai'.