In the Meiji period, the former daimyō became part of the kazoku peerage, with Tsugaru Tsuguakira receiving the title of shishaku (Viscount).

They also helped shelter the infant Emperor Antoku and other members of the Heike clan when they were driven from Kyoto by the forces of Kiso Yoshinaka.

However, after the defeat of the Heike at the Battle of Dannoura, Harada Tanenao was captured by the forces of Minamoto no Yoritomo and was sent to Kamakura as a prisoner of war.

During the start of the Nanboku-chō period wars, Ashikaga Takauji was defeated by the forces of Emperor Go-Daigo, and fled to Kyushu, where he attempted to raise a new army.

Following the defeat of the Mōri in northern Kyushu at the hands of the Ōtomo, the Akizuki turned to the Shimazu clan for assistance.

After Hideyoshi's death, he was assigned by Ishida Mitsunari to defend Ōgaki Castle in Mino Province against Tokugawa Ieyasu.

In the Bakumatsu period, Akizuki Tanetatsu the son of the final daimyō of Takanabe, was appointed as a wakadoshiyori by the shogunate in 1867.

This was a highly usual promotion, due to his young age and status as heir to a tozama daimyō house, but Akizuki Tanetatsu was known for his education.