was a family of Japanese nobles descended from the Fujiwara family, many of whom held high government offices in Kyà «shà «. Prior to the Kamakura period (1185âÂÂ1333), "Shà Âni" was originally a title and post within the Kyà «shà « (Dazaifu) government, roughly translating to "Junior Counselor", and working under a Daini (大å¼Â).
Dominated by members of the Fujiwara branch family of Mutà Â, the title over time came to be used as a family name. When Minamoto no Yoritomo established the Kamakura shogunate in 1185, he reorganized the administration of Kyà «shà «. The post of Chinzei Bugyà  replaced that of Daini, and the Shà Âni were similarly pushed out of their traditional hereditary position; members of the family were, however, still granted various other important posts in the region.
Members of the family would play an important role in commanding the defense against the Mongol invasions of Japan in 1274 and 1281.
They would later ally with Ashikaga Takauji and the Northern Court in the Nanboku-chà  Wars of the 14th century. Repeatedly defeated by the à Âuchi family in the 14th and 15th centuries, the Shà Âni gradually lost their territories, and were eliminated entirely by the Ryà «zà Âji clan in the mid-16th century.