Uesugi forces · Uesugi (Nagao)
Uesugi Kenshin
“Dragon of Echigo / God of War”
The military genius who unified Echigo and saw himself as an incarnation of Bishamonten. Under the banner of "righteousness" he campaigned repeatedly into the Kantō and northern Shinano and fought Takeda Shingen five times at Kawanakajima. He remained celibate all his life, and the story that he sent salt to his enemy Shingen when the Takeda lands were short of it is famous. He inherited the office of Kantō kanrei and sought to restore order, but died suddenly at Kasugayama Castle while preparing a campaign.
- Epithet
- “Dragon of Echigo / God of War”
- Rank / office
- Kantō Kanrei / Danjō-no-shōhitsu
- Domain / base
- Echigo
- Banner / crest
- Rampant dragon / "Bi" for Bishamonten
- Side
- Uesugi forces
- Lived
- 1530–1578 (aged 49)
Fortune lies in heaven, armour on the breast, and glory in the feet.
Attributed to Uesugi Kenshin
Life
- Tenbun 22 First Battle of Kawanakajima Faced Shingen for the first time in response to the Takeda invasion of Shinano.
- Eiroku 4 Fourth Battle of Kawanakajima Closed on the Takeda headquarters with the wheel formation and gave rise to the legend of single combat with Shingen.
- Eiroku 4 Kantō Kanrei Inherited the office of Kantō kanrei and the Uesugi name from Uesugi Norimasa.
- Tenshō 5 Tedorigawa Beat the great Oda army at the Tedori River and displayed his might to the whole country.
Battles in this archive2 battles
- Fourth Battle of Kawanakajima 10th day of the 9th month, Eiroku 4 Kawanakajima, Shinano Province Saw through the Takeda plan from the cooking fires at Kaizu Castle and came down from Mount Saijo in the night. In the melee he is said to have ridden alone into Shingen's headquarters. Watch ▸
- Battle of Tedorigawa 23rd day of the 9th month, Tenshō 5 Tedori River, Kaga Province The god of war who took Nanao, swept south under cover of night and pinned the retreating Oda army against the Tedori. One of the greatest victories of his life. Watch ▸
Related sites
- Kasugayama Castle ruins (Jōetsu)
- Rinsen-ji
- Uesugi Shrine (Yonezawa)