 | |
| Uesugi Kenshin | |
| Born: | February 18, 1530 |
|---|---|
| Place of Birth: | Echigo province |
| Died: | April 19, 1578 |
| Cause of Death: | Illness/Assassination |
| Place of Death: | Echigo province |
| Style name: | 上杉 謙信 |
| Served: | Uesugi Clan, Nagao Clan |
| Participation(s): | Battles of Kawanakajima
Battle of Tedorigawa |
Uesugi Kenshin (上杉 謙信) was born in 1530. Well known for being a rival to Takeda Shingen whom Kenshin fought five times at Kawanakajima.
Biography[]
Childhood[]
Uesugi Kenshin was born in February 1530 at Kasugayama in Echigo province, the 4th son of Nagao Tamekage, a powerful warlord who was first an enemy and then a nominal vassal of the Yamaouchi-Uesugi,[1] and bore the name of Kagetora. When young Kenshin was fifteen he was placed in joint command of Tochio castle. Here he was attacked by rebels of the Uesugi, but he soundly defeated them, earning the young man a reputation.[2]
Military Career[]
At the age of 19, Uesugi Kenshin entered the castle of Kasugayama as his father's heir and head of the family.[3] After rising to power within the Nagao family, he was adopted by Uesugi Norimasa who was then in desperate straits.[4] This was after at the time, the Uesugi leader Uesugi Norimasa, was defeated by the Hōjō in 1551. Norimasa was forced to retreat and sought refuge at Kasugayama, Uesugi Kenshin's castle. Kenshin agreed to help his former lord on very strict terms. These included adoption as his heir, the name of Uesugi and the title of Echigo-no-kami (Lord of Echigo) and also make him Kantō Kanrei (Shogun's deputy for the Kantō region).[5]
In 1552, Kenshin was ordered by the Shogun to make war against the Hōjō. Kenshin was often at war with the Takeda and Hōjō, and on many occasions he showed himself to be their equal. Kenshin fought Takeda Shingen five times at Kawanakajima.
In 1557, Uesugi Kenshin won victories in Nanao and Tedorigawa.
In 1558, Uesugi Kenshin went war against the Hōjō and took the castles of Numata and Umayabashi.[6]
By 1564, Kenshin controlled the provinces of Etchu and Kozuke and an alliance with the Hōjō was made. Ueusgi Kenshin who had no sons, adopted Hōjō Ujiyasu's son as his heir.[7]
In 1577, Ueusgi Kenshin suffered a defeat against Oda Nobunaga who was marching to the relief of Nanao castle in Noto province, then was besieged by Uesugi Kenshin. The two armies met at the Battle of Tedorigawa. During the battle, Kenshin cleverly arranged a decoy force to make Oda Nobunaga think that he had split his forces. This encouraged the Oda force to assault across the river, thus resulting in an Uesugi victory.[8]
Death[]
In 1578, Uesugi Kenshin entered an alliance with Takeda Katsuyori against Oda Nobunaga, but his mysterious death circumstances led many to suspect assassination.[9] It is said that Kenshin died from an apoplectic fit in his lavatory, although his death was so fortuitous for Oda Nobunaga, the suspicion for an assassination by a ninja seemed highly likely. The tale goes that a ninja hid under Kenshin's lavatory and stabbed him from below.[10]
Gallery[]
Sources[]
- ↑ Samurai Archives, Uesugi Kenshin
- ↑ Sammurai Commanders (1) 940-1576 Stephen Turnbull pg.53
- ↑ Sammurai Commanders (1) 940-1576 Stephen Turnbull pg.53
- ↑ Samurai Source Book, Stephen Turnbull pg.89
- ↑ Sammurai Commanders (1) 940-1576 Stephen Turnbull pg.53
- ↑ Sammurai Commanders (1) 940-1576 Stephen Turnbull pg.53
- ↑ Sammurai Commanders (1) 940-1576 Stephen Turnbull pg.53
- ↑ Sammurai Commanders (1) 940-1576 Stephen Turnbull pg.53
- ↑ Samurai Source Book, Stephen Turnbull pg.89
- ↑ Sammurai Commanders (1) 940-1576 Stephen Turnbull pg.54