The Konoe (jap. 近衛家, Konoe-ke) were a family of the Japanese court nobility (Kuge), descended from Fujiwara Iezane (1179-1242).
The Konoe formed the most important of the five families (Go-sekke) from which the empresses and the kampaku were elected.
They held great political influence at court for centuries, beginning in the Heian period.
The Konoe-ke was founded as a split from the most powerful Fujiwara branch, the Hokke of Konoe Motozane, who was supported by Taira no Kiyomori.