Uesugi Kagekatsu

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Uesugi Kagekatsu

Role / Field:

Samurai daimyō who rose through conflict, served major powers, and navigated the tumultuous Sengoku period.

Born:

1556-01-08

Died:

1623-04-19

Century / Era:

1556s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Uesugi Kagekatsu (上杉 景勝; 8 January 1556 – 19 April 1623) was a Japanese samurai daimyō during the Sengoku and Edo periods. He was the adopted son of Uesugi Kenshin and Uesugi Kagetora’s brother in law. Kagekatsu was the son of Nagao Masakage, the head of the Ueda Nagao clan and husband of Uesugi Kenshin's elder sister, Aya-Gozen. After his father died, he was adopted by Kenshin. His childhood name was Unomatsu.

Career & Major Achievements

In 1577, he participated in Battle of Tedorigawa. Upon Kenshin's death in 1578, Kagekatsu battled Kenshin's other adopted son Uesugi Kagetora for the inheritance, defeating Kagetora in the 1578 Siege of Otate. In 1579, he forced Kagetora to commit suicide, and became head of the Uesugi clan. Kagekatsu married Takeda Katsuyori's sister (Takeda Shingen's daughter) after the Siege of Otate. By 1579, Kagekatsu had gained the upper hand and forced Kagetora to commit suicide.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

This bloody division allowed Oda Nobunaga's generals (headed by Shibata Katsuie) to conquer the Uesugi's lands in Kaga, Noto, and Etchu. In 1582, Kagekatsu led an army into Etchu and was defeated by Oda forces at the Battle of Tenjinyama. He hastily returned to Echigo when he learned that Oda general Mori Nagayoshi had raided Echigo in his absence. When Oda forces under Shibata Katsuie and Sassa Narimasa laid siege to Uozu castle in Etchu, in the course of which a number of important Uesugi retainers were killed, Kagekatsu's fortunes appeared bleak. Kagekatsu sent a letter to Satake Yoshishige, his allies.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1556 (1556-01-08): Birth of Uesugi Kagekatsu — Samurai daimyō who rose through conflict, served major powers, and navigated the tumultuous Sengoku period.
2. 1577: 1577 Milestone — In 1577, he participated in Battle of Tedorigawa.
3. 1578: 1578 Milestone — Upon Kenshin's death in 1578, Kagekatsu battled Kenshin's other adopted son Uesugi Kagetora for the inheritance, defeating Kagetora in the 1578 Siege of Otate.
4. 1579: 1579 Milestone — In 1579, he forced Kagetora to commit suicide, and became head of the Uesugi clan.
5. 1582: 1582 Milestone — In 1582, Kagekatsu led an army into Etchu and was defeated by Oda forces at the Battle of Tenjinyama.
6. 1623 (1623-04-19): Passing & Historical Legacy — Uesugi Kagekatsu passed away on 1623-04-19, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Notable Quotes by Uesugi Kagekatsu

“Please don't worry about us. I was born in a good era. We will fight against over 60 provinces of Japan with only this Echigo province.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Uesugi Kagekatsu

True or False: “Uesugi Kagekatsu successfully maintained the independence of his clan throughout the entire Edo period.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he was a major player in the Sengoku period, by the time of the Tokugawa Shogunate's consolidation, he had to declare allegiance and accept vassal status.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Uesugi Kagekatsu