[1] In accordance to the Shinsen Shōjiroku, the clan claims descent from Qin Shi Huang (d. 210 BC), the first emperor of a unified China.

[citation needed] In their early history of the Sengoku period, Chōsokabe Kunichika's father Kanetsugu, was killed by the Motoyama clan in 1508.

Kunichika would go on to have children, including his heir and the future Daimyo of the Chōsokabe, Motochika, who would go on to unify Shikoku.

Motochika surrendered, and forfeited Awa, Sanuki, and Iyo Provinces; Hideyoshi permitted him to retain Tosa.

[citation needed] After Motochika died in 1599 at age 61, the next clan leader was his son Chōsokabe Morichika.