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Yamamoto Kansuke

“Dōkisai”

A legendary strategist said to have entered Takeda Shingen's service after wandering the provinces. One-eyed and lame, yet versed in the arts of war and castle-building, he is credited with laying out Kaizu Castle and proposing the "woodpecker" plan. At the Fourth Battle of Kawanakajima, when Uesugi Kenshin saw through the plan, he is said to have taken responsibility, charged into the enemy and been killed.

Epithet
“Dōkisai”
Rank / office
Strategist to the Takeda (traditional)
Domain / base
Kai
Side
Takeda forces
Lived
1493–1561 (aged 69)

My plan has failed. I shall pay for it with my death.

Attributed to Yamamoto Kansuke

Life

  1. Tenbun 12 Entering Takeda Service After wandering the provinces he was discovered by Shingen and entered the service of the Takeda, according to tradition.
  2. Eiroku 3 Building Kaizu Castle Said to have laid out Kaizu Castle, the Takeda front line at Kawanakajima.
  3. Eiroku 4 The Woodpecker Plan Proposed the plan to drive the Uesugi off the mountain with a detached force; it was seen through, and he was killed.

Battles in this archive1 battles

  1. Fourth Battle of Kawanakajima 10th day of the 9th month, Eiroku 4 Kawanakajima, Shinano Province Author of the woodpecker plan. When he saw it had failed he took responsibility, charged into the enemy and is said to have died a heroic death. 800 troops Watch ▸

Related sites

  • Kawanakajima battlefield (Nagano)
  • Matsushiro Castle (Kaizu Castle)