Prehistoric Japanese history does not provide much insight into what makes Izu unique. It is not until complex political systems and rivalries develop that we see historical figures of great importance. The most important political figure in Izu history is Japan’s first shogun: Yoritomo Minamoto.
Perhaps the most famous rivalry between political families in Japan was between the Taira and Minamoto clans during the Heian period, Japan’s classical golden age. The Taira were dominant during this time.
Yoritomo Minamoto’s father was executed after the Heiji Rebellion, but Yoritomo and his brother were spared. The ruler of the Taira, Taira no Kiyomori, banished 13 year old Yoritomo to Izu, and assigned a loyal local warlord to oversee his exile. That warlord was Sukechika Itō, whose family name remains as the name of Izu’s largest city.
Yoritomo Minamoto spent his youth planning his father’s revenge and eventually succeeded in 1185 by overthrowing the Taira clan in a decisive battle at Dan no ura. He then gave himself the title of Shogun, conqueror of all barbarians.