Shinmen clan

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Shinmen clan was a Japanese clan during the Edo period (17th century) of Japan that had consisted within the area of Western Kyoto.

The Shinmen clan had gained fame early on by employing highly skilled swordsman as their vassals. However, this long line of skilled swordsmanship within the clan had dated back around to that of the 15th century, where men such as Hirata Shokan were employed. For this reason, the Shinmen had been a daimyo family for many years.

One noteworthy member of the Shinmen clan was Shinmen Sokan, who had taken particular interest in specific famed men during the period of Edo. One of such was Hirata Munisai (commonly known as Miyamoto or Shinmen Munisai), the father of the exceedingly famous swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi. Munisai soon became the most senior retainer of this clan and enforced Shinmen policies.

The history of the Shinmen clan following the Edo is unknown.