The Kutsuki were a branch of the Sasaki family hailing from Omi Province. They served as the stewards of the Kutsuki manor in that province in the Kamakura period, and the house continued through the Warring States period and into the Edo period, when some of their members became bannermen (direct vassals of the shogun) or daimyo (provincial lords). "The archives of Kutsuki family" consist of historical documents passed down in the family through the years. The Cabinet Records Bureau purchased them from the Kutsuki in 1888. Containing more than 1,060 documents, the archives were designated an important cultural property in the first year of Heisei( 1989).
A "rinji" (imperial order) of Emperor Godaigo (1288 - 1339) dated 12 August in the 3rd year of Genkou(1333). Such orders were written by "Kuroudo" meaning "ryoge-no-kan" officials appointed apart from the provisions of the imperial code. This one grants the post of steward in charge of the Kutsuki manor in Omi Province to Sasaki (Kutsuki) Tokitsune, in a continuation of the traditional practice. In the manner characteristic of such orders, it is written on gray "shukushi," a special paper made by remanufacturing used paper.