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Minamoto

American  
[mee-nah-maw-taw] / ˈmi nɑˈmɔ tɔ /

noun

  1. a member of a powerful family in Japan that ruled as shoguns from 1192 to 1333.


Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In one screen narrating the Battle of Yashima, Minamoto clan cavalry descend through a narrow pass to storm a Taira clan fortress.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

In this period, the imperial capital remained at Heian-kyo, but the warrior families, first the Minamoto and then the Hojo, were headquartered in Kamakura.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Minamoto triumphed, winning the naval Battle of Dannoura in 1185.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

And to purchase the Japanese sweets featured in the photo shoot, visit Minamoto Kitchoan, Yume Confections and mochi Rin.

From New York Times • Aug. 14, 2017

There was no doubt that the lower class of people sympathised with the military-men, whether they were of the Taira or of the Minamoto family, far more deeply than with the Fujiwara nobles.

From An Introduction to the History of Japan by Hara, Katsuro

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