Shimotsuma Munekiyo served as a bushō during the Azuchi-Momoyama and early Edo periods.  He was born as the second son of Shimotsuma Rairen.  His common name was Saishō.

In 1602, during the split between the Higashi-Hongan Temple and Nish-Hongan Temple, Munekiyo served Kyōnyo of the Higashi-Hongan Temple, but, in 1607, he tendered a written oath to Junnyo of the Nishi-Hongan Temple and entered into service under him.  The following year, in 1608, he died at the age of forty-seven.  His nephew, Nakamune (the son of Munekiyo’s younger sister and Kawanabe Sōho) served the Nishi-Hongan Temple as his adoptee.

It is also surmised that he returned to service in 1606 based on a written pledge in which he apologizes to Junnyo for ending his service without permission.