Tōdō clan
The Tōdō clan was a Japanese samurai clan of humble origins from the Inukami District of Ōmi Province. During the Edo period, the Tōdō ruled most of Ise Province and all of Iga Province as daimyō of Tsu Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate.
The clan initially rose to prominence under Tōdō Takatora, who was a highly trusted commander under Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, as well as an architect of numerous Japanese castles.
During the Bakumatsu period, the defection of the Tōdō clan to the Satchō Alliance in 1868 was a major factor in the defeat of the Tokugawa forces at the Battle of Toba–Fushimi. The head of the clan was later awarded with the kazoku title of Count by the Meiji government.
A junior branch of the clan, which ruled Hisai Domain in Ise Province, was awarded the title of viscount in the Meiji period.
Another junior branch of the clan, which ruled Nabari in Iga Province, was not styled as a daimyo, but was awarded the title of baron in the Meiji period.
