Uesugi Kenshin

Uesugi Kenshin. Daimyo of Echigo, Uesugi clan.

Kenshin Uesugi was a interesting man. He was at one time a monk, but he returned to his position to serve the god of war, Bishamonten.

Emblazoned with symbols of the god of war, Uesugi Kenshin honored Bishamonten in real wars and battles. His clan was a dominant power in northern Japan. His rivals included the clever Hojo Ujiyasu, and the visionary Takeda Shingen. Himself a formidable man, Kenshin created his own name. (As his rival Shingen did as well.) Kenshin also changed the Uesugi clan to suit his taste and image. Changing the blue banners with the red disc sun to black banners with a white disc.

The Uesugi were a powerful force under Kenshin, but with talented enemies like Shingen and Ujiyasu, progress southwards was not always easy. Hojo and Takeda would ally to repel Uesugi invasion, and vice versa. The shifting politics between the lords, particularly these powerful men ensured that none of these three giants would lose significant ground to the other.

Uesugi did assert his control over Echigo and Echizen. Leaving Takeda of Kai encircled by Uesugi and Hojo. Shingen was cut off from the sea. While some asked for Kenshin to strike and eliminate his rival Shingen, Kenshin chose not to kill the man he respected. When Shingen was lacking salt due to the trade he had lost getting cut off from the normal trade routes and surrounded by antagonistic neighbors, Kenshin sent him salt. Saying " An enemy should fall in the field of battle, not due to a lack of salt."

Uesugi Kenshin and his nemesis Takeda Shingen dueled annually over a small island named Kawanakajima for a number of years. In one such battle Shingen was saved by raising his metal war fan used to direct troops just in time to block a strike from Uesugi Kenshin. As luck would have it Shingen's guards arrived just in time to protect their lord from a second charge by Kenshin.

Kenshin and Shingen both lost powerful and famous generals to these battles. Shingen's brother Nobushige died in one of these battles, killed in the confusion caused by the morning fog around Kawanakajima. Shingen also lost his general Yamamoto Kansuke, "Oni Kansuke" (Demon/Ogre Kansuke.) A fierce general that used a naginata polearm to stand due to a lame leg.

In the end, Shingen would die on his march to the capital. Struck by a bullet. Legend says Shingen managed to keep his death secret by use of skilled imposters after his death. Legend also says that Kenshin claimed the ruse did not trick him, no man could replace Lord Shingen Takeda. It's also said the stoic warlord shed tears over the death of his rival.

Kenshin too may have died of a bullet wound. Some stories say a ninja hiding in his latrine killed him. Others say a bullet wound he suffered eventually brought about his demise.

The Dragon of Echigo and the Tiger of Kai are both men who were, for lack of a better description, men who were larger than life. Their lives, battles, and legacy play a part in the lore of Sengoku Japan even to this day.

Justin Latimer 2011