The Imagawa clan (今川氏) were descendants of the Seiwa Genji, the most successful branch of warriors from the Minamoto clan. Their roots are said to have began when the Ashikaga shogunate desired to separate itself from the Kira family sometime in the mid 12th century. The reasons for the split are highly debated and generally unclear. The popular account writes that the Ashikaga desired to have its own separate family apart from various official positions and so created the Imagawa. Yoshimoto claimed that they were direct descendants of a distinguished Minamoto general and their rule naturally gained power over time. Kuniuji is generally seen as the clan's founder, even though other warriors with the same family name also obtained high regard. Norinobu was the last leader and, since his hei