| Matsumae clan 松前 | |
|---|---|
.svg) Banner with the crest (mon) of the Matsumae clan, from the collection of Heinrich von Siebold (Weltmuseum Wien) | |
| Home province | Matsumae, Hokkaido |
| Parent house | |
| Titles | |
| Founding year | 1590 |
The Matsumae clan (松前氏, Matsumae-shi) was a Japanese aristocratic family who were daimyo of Matsumae Domain, in present-day Matsumae, Hokkaidō, from the Azuchi–Momoyama period until the Meiji Restoration. They were given the domain as a march fief in 1590 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and charged with defending it, and by extension the whole of Japan, from the Ainu "barbarians" of the north. They were the first Japanese to negotiate with Russia in any way. Following the Meiji Restoration, the family was appointed Viscount.