The Nishimura clan is one of the oldest ninja clans of the Hidden Mist Village. It is most well known for its top-notch swordsmen, making them rivals of the Ketsueki Clan, a clan equally well known for its excellent swordsmen. The two clans rarely get along, but manage to work together well on the battlefield against threats to Kirigakure. The main difference between the two clans is weapon of choice. The Ketsueki clan wields katana, while the Nishimura clan prefers dao. Despite the rivalry, most Nishimura clansmen are not against using swords forged by Ketsueki. This is because the latter clan is considered the foremost in swordsmithing, where as the Nishimura clan focuses solely on wielding.