sorrowfulkain:

Kenshin Uesugi, the Dragon of Echigo. His martial prowess and valor on the battlefield was so impressive that both friend and foe alike believed he was the avatar of Bishamonten, and thus he was also called the God of War. In his youth his father had begun to war against the Ikko-Ikki, anti-samurai monks who would battle and incite riots within the domains of the neighboring Daimyo who opposed them. Kenshin’s father was killed in one of these battles and a power struggle ensued within the clan. The older brother of Kenshin, Harukage Nagao, became the head of the clan while Kenshin himself was taken to Rizen-ji at the age of 7 and there he would live and study until he became 14.

At that time Sadimitsu Usami and a number of his father’s retainers came to Kenshin and asked him to wrest control of the Nagao clan from his brother who had proven an unpopular and ineffectual leader. Kenshin was at first hesitant but at length was persuaded that it was in the best interests for the future of the clan and Echigo. At once the clan was divided into two opposing sides and went to war. Kenshin displayed both his almost unnatural talents for warfare and won numerous battles against his brother. He was finally able to take control of the Nagao from Harukage and though his fate is unknown, most believe Kenshin’s brother committed seppuku upon defeat.

Upon solidifying his position as Daimyo, Kenshin focused his efforts on bringing Echigo under his full power by putting down numerous rebellions therein. When the province was finally beginning to be brought under his control, two defeated damiyo from Shinano, Yoshikiyo Murakami and Nagatoki Ogasawara, came seeking his support. They told Kenshin of their loss to Shingen Takeda who had already conquered most of the province. Seeing the threat of the Takeda already close to his borders, Kenshin brought his armies against Shingen.

Their first battle would be at Kawanakajima. Both men were extremely cunning and Kenshin began to see Shingen as a formidable adversary. In time he even began to admire his enemy and the two would clash a total of five times at Kawanakajima with the fourth seeing both sides suffering equal losses in both men and officers. Despite being enemies, Kenshin would lend support to Shingen, most notably when the Hojo and other Daimyo began to refuse to send rice and salt to Kai. Kenshin heard of this and rather than take advantage of Shingen’s weakness he sent the supplies that Kai needed along with a letter stating that the boycotting of supplies was dishonorable and that, “Wars are to be won with swords and spears, not with rice and salt.”

After some time, Norimasa Uesugi, who Kenshin had received within his domain, urged Kenshin to move against the Hojo. During the course of this campaign, Kenshin adopted the Uesugi name and declared himself Kanto Kanrei and thus the Nagao clan became the Uesugi. His armies managed to capture a number of castles from the Hojo and push all the way to Odawara castle. Though they had won victory after victory, Kenshin’s forces were low on supplies and were forced to withdraw before they could capture Odawara, much to the relief of the Hojo.

Kenshin also had designs on Etchu province and acted as mediator between the two rival clans, the Jinbo and Shiina. When the battles started however, Kenshin sided with the Shiina and defeated the Jinbo. From there, Kenshin would attack the Shiina and force them to be subjugated as well, effectively bring Etchu province under complete control of the Uesugi. It was during this time that Kenshin had received word that his greatest rival, Shingen Takeda, had died from illness. It is said that Kenshin openly wept and mourned the loss of his nemesis and outright refused to take advantage of his loss by attacking the Takeda, despite the advice of his retainers. Kenshin would never again make war against the Takeda and it is said that they thereafter held a truce of sorts.

With the loss of Shingen and the Hojo kept in check, Kenshin began to examine the possibilities of expanding west. His obstacle, however, was the Demon King, Nobunaga Oda, whose position around Kyoto had become absolute. When the daimyo of Noto, Yoshinori Hatakeyama, was overthrown by one of his retainers Kenshin immediately took advantage of the chaos and took the land for himself. With this, Kenshin was now able to launch attacks against Nobunaga. Fully aware of this, Nobunaga sent an overwhelming force to crush the Uesugi, headed by Nobunaga himself alongside his generals Katsuie Shibata and Toshiie Maeda. Both sides would clash at the Battle of Tedorigawa.

Sensing Nobunaga’s impatience to end the battle quickly and decisively, Kenshin used an old tactic that was used against him by Shingen. When the rain began to fall Kenshin sent a small force that attacked the Oda from the rear. As planned, the small force was soundly defeated and Nobunaga was lured into a false sense of security. Crossing the river during the night, the Oda were hoping to find a weakened and demoralized army. Instead they found the Uesugi waiting and were caught completely off guard. Said to have lost a quarter of his army due to this tactic, Nobunaga cut his losses and retreated to Omi while Kenshin built forts in the area in preparation for future battles against the Oda. He then returned to Echigo where he raised a mighty army.

Kenshin’s health was in terrible condition, however, and before he could lead his army against Nobunaga again he suffered a seizure and passed away four days later. So feared was Kenshin, even in his illness, that it is said when Nobunaga was told of the death of his death, Nobunaga smiled and said, “Finally, the empire is mine.”

One of the truly great Daimyos of the Sengoku period, Kenshin’s deeds earned him the respect and admiration of both ally and enemy. Though often characterized for his penchant for war, Kenshin is also remembered for his devout beliefs in Buddhism, never taking a wife or siring children, and his noble sense of honor. Though Kenshin Uesugi may not have fulfilled his ambitions and was unable to die in battle, his name is forever carved into the history of Japan and in the hearts of those who learn of the life and deeds of the Dragon of Echigo.

- Martin AKA SorrowfulKain