Shōni

The Shōni were a warrior house of northern Kyūshū, centered on Chikuzen and Hizen, who sprang from the Mutō family and claimed descent from Fujiwara no Hidesato. Their name began as a title in the Dazaifu government, held by Mutō Sukeyori; from his son Sukeyoshi onward Shōni became the family name.

Sukeyoshi and his sons led the defense of Dazaifu during the Mongol invasions of 1274 and 1281. In 1333 Sadatsune Shōni joined Emperor Go-Daigo's war against the Kamakura shogunate. In 1336 his son Yorihisa welcomed Ashikaga Takauji to Kyūshū; Sadatsune was killed by the Kikuchi, whom Yorihisa defeated at Tatarahama.

Defeat in 1359 cost the Shōni Dazaifu, and Ōuchi invasions weakened the clan. In 1559 Ryūzōji Takanobu stormed Seifukuji Castle and forced Shōni Fuyuhisa to take his own life; a last revival attempt collapsed in 1572.