The Matsunaga clan (松永氏, Matsunaga-shi) is a Japanese Samurai Clan who are descended from the Fujiwara clan.
The lineage of Matsunaga Danjo Hisahide strengthens the Matsunaga clan's claim to Fujiwara lineage through Hisahide's nephew, Tadatoshi Naito (also known as Naito Joan and Fujiwara John). Tadatoshi Naito's mother was Naito Sadafusa who was from the Naito clan. The Naito clan is descended from Fujiwara no Hidesato (Hokke (Fujiwara)). Tadatoshi Naito would serve as lord of Yagi castle.
The Revolt of Ashikaga Yoshiaki (Japanese: 足利義昭の乱) or better known as Nobunaga Encirclement (信長包囲網) took place in 1573 and was led by Ashikaga Yoshiaki, the 15th Shogun of Japan and its last Shogun from the Ashikaga clan. Yoshiaki became shogun in 1568 with the support of Oda Nobunaga. The Oda clan's forces entered Kyoto, restoring the Muromachi shogunate. This takeover was swift due to the lack of effective central authority in Kyoto at the time. Yoshiaki then acted as a puppet leader under Nobunaga's direct control.
In 1573, Yoshiaki revolted against Nobunaga, seeking to establish his own control. To aid him in the uprising, Yoshiaki called upon the Takeda and Matsunaga clans. Yoshiaki attempted to flee Kyoto and find refuge in Sakai. Despite his efforts, Nobunaga pursued Yoshiaki and recaptured Kyoto, effectively ending the Ashikaga clan's rule.