Samurai clans were powerful family groups in feudal Japan, known for their warrior class, the samurai. These clans often controlled vast territories and were loyal to a daimyo, a feudal lord. Each clan had its own code of conduct, known as bushido, which emphasized honor, loyalty, and martial skill. The most famous samurai clans included the Minamoto, Taira, and Tokugawa. Clans often engaged in battles for power and influence, leading to significant historical events like the Genpei War. Over time, the rise of the Tokugawa shogunate in the early 17th century marked the decline of clan warfare and the beginning of a more unified Japan.