The Hitoyoshi Domain (人吉藩), also known as Hitoyoshi-han, was a key Japanese domain in the Edo period closely tied to Higo Province in present-day Kumamoto Prefecture. It played a vital role in the han system, relying on surveys and agricultural productivity for its operation. Unlike Western feudal systems, the Hitoyoshi Domain's value was based on kokudaka, projected yields, rather than land size. This unique approach distinguished it from traditional feudal structures, showcasing Japan's distinct governance and economic organization during that time.[1] [2] [3]
| Native Name: | 人吉藩 |
| Conventional Long Name: | Hitoyoshi Domain |
| Common Name: | Hitoyoshi Domain |
| Subdivision: | Han |
| Status Text: | Domain of Japan |
| Government Type: | Daimyō |
| Title Leader: | Daimyō |
| Leader1: | Sagara Yorifusa (first) |
| Year Leader1: | 1585-1636 |
| Leader2: | Sagara Yorimoto (last) |
| Year Leader2: | 1855-1871 |
| Capital: | Hitoyoshi Castle |
| Today: | Kumamoto Prefecture |
| Year Start: | 1585 |
| Year End: | 1871 |
| Era: | Edo period |
| Image Map Caption: | Restored tower and wall of Hitoyoshi Castle |
right|thumb|270px|Sagara Yorimoto, final daimyo of Hitoyoshi Domain
The Sagara clan, from Hitoyoshi in the 13th century, held power until the Meiji Restoration. They started as land stewards in 1193 and became influential daimyo during the Sengoku period. Despite challenges from other clans, they survived as feudal lords until the Edo period and witnessed the Meiji Restoration. The Sagara clan's history is filled with loyalty, betrayal, and alliances. From Shinsui Nagatomo's plea to Toyotomi Hideyoshi to internal conflicts like Raizo and Yori Inudo's dispute, their journey had both triumphs and tragedies. Figures like Ishida Mitsunari and Kato Kiyomasa shaped their destiny, leading to power shifts and the rise of Seihei Sagara.Yori initially sided with the Western Army during the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, but later switched to the Eastern Army with small feudal lords from Hyuga Province. This decision led to them losing their territories to Tokugawa Ieyasu and establishing their own domains. The Hitoyoshi Domain, like the Satsuma Domain, had an outer castle system with 14 castles housing vassals who governed the land. The population included unpaid goshi, who were both farmers and soldiers. The domain strictly prohibited the Jodo Shinshu Hongan-ji school and Christianity. The Hitoyoshi Domain's finances thrived through "Nagasaki Shopping," buying foreign textiles in Nagasaki and selling them in Kyoto. They also developed Nitta, cultivated 21,000 koku of land, and improved the Kuma River for transportation. In 1862, Hitoyoshi suffered a devastating fire known as the "Torasuke fire" during the Edo period. This event caused economic hardships for the town. In 1871, Hitoyoshi became part of Kumamoto Prefecture after the integration of Yatsushiro Prefecture and Shirakawa Prefecture. The Sagara clan achieved peerage status in 1869 and were later elevated to viscount in 1884. These changes marked important milestones in Hitoyoshi's history.
• Higo Province - 54 villages
•Hyuga Province - 4 villages
| Name | Tenure | Courtesy title | Court Rank | kokudaka | ||
| Sagara clan, 1585 - 1871(Tozama daimyo) | ||||||
| 1 | Sagara Yorifusa (相良頼房) | 1585 - 1636 | Daisuke Miyauchi(大輔 宮内) | Junior 5th Rank, Lower Grade (従五位下) | 22,000 koku | |
| 2 | Sagara Yorihiro (相良頼広) | 1636 - 1664 | Ike no kami (池 の 髪) | Junior 5th Rank, Lower Grade (従五位下) | 22,000 koku | |
| 3 | Sagara Yoritaka (相良頼隆) | 1664 - 1703 | Tōtōmi no kami (遠江守) | Junior 5th Rank, Lower Grade (従五位下) | 22,000 koku | |
| 4 | Sagara Yoritomi (相良頼富) | 1703 - 1712 | Uneme Masa (采女正) | Junior 5th Rank, Lower Grade (従五位下) | 22,000 koku | |
| 5 | Sagara Nagaoki (相良長興) | 1712 - 1721 | Tōtōmi no kami (遠江守) | Junior 5th Rank, Lower Grade (従五位下) | 22,000 koku | |
| 6 | Sagara Nagaari (相良長有) | 1721 - 1738 | Tōtōmi no kami (遠江守) | Junior 5th Rank, Lower Grade (従五位下) | 22,000 koku | |
| 7 | Sagara Yorimine (相良頼峰) | 1738 - 1758 | Shimamori (島守) | Junior 5th Rank, Lower Grade (従五位下) | 22,000 koku | |
| 8 | Sagara Yorihisa (相良頼久) | 1758 - 1759 | Tōtōmi no kami (遠江守) | Junior 5th Rank, Lower Grade (従五位下) | 22,000 koku | |
| 9 | Sagara Akinaga (相良明長) | 1759 - 1762 | None (なし) | Junior 5th Rank, Lower Grade (従五位下) | 22,000 koku | |
| 10 | Sagara Yorisada (相良頼貞) | 1762 - 1767 | Tōtōmi no kami (遠江守) | Junior 5th Rank, Lower Grade (従五位下) | 22,000 koku | |
| 11 | Sagara Tomimochi (相良富持) | 1767 - 1769 | Echizen no kami(遠江守) | Junior 5th Rank, Lower Grade (越前守) | 22,000 koku | |
| 12 | Sagara Nagahiro (相良長弘) | 1769 - 1802 | Ike no kami(池 の 髪) | Junior 5th Rank, Lower Grade (越前守) | 22,000 koku | |
| 13 | Sagara Yorinori (相良頼則) | 1802 - 1818 | Tsushima no kami(池 の 髪) | Junior 5th Rank, Lower Grade (対馬守) | 22,000 koku | |
| 14 | Sagara Yoriyuki (相良頼之) | 1818 - 1839 | Omi no kami(近江神) | Junior 5th Rank, Lower Grade (越前守) | 22,000 koku | |
| 15 | Sagara Nagatomi (相良永富) | 1839 - 1855 | Iki no kami(壱岐神) | Junior 5th Rank, Lower Grade (越前守) | 22,000 koku | |
| 16 | Sagara Yorimoto (相良頼基) | 1855 - 1871 | Echizen no kami(遠江守) | Junior 5th Rank, Lower Grade (越前守) | 22,000 koku | |