Uesugi Kagetora

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Uesugi Kagetora

Role / Field:

Samurai figure known for his adoption by Uesugi Kenshin and subsequent conflict over succession.

Born:

1552

Died:

1579-04-19

Century / Era:

1552s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Uesugi Kagetora (上杉 景虎; 1552 – April 19, 1579) was the seventh son of Hōjō Ujiyasu; known as Hōjō Saburō, he was adopted by Uesugi Kenshin, and was meant to be Kenshin's heir. However, in 1578, he was attacked in his castle at Otate by Uesugi Kagekatsu—Kagetora's respective brother-in-law—and was subsequently defeated. Kagetora committed suicide the following year in Samegao Castle. Uesugi Kagetora was born in either 1552 or 1554, and during his lifetime was also known as Hōjō Ujihide (北条氏秀), Hōjō Saburō (北条三郎), Saburō Kagetora (三郎景虎). He was the seventh son (sixth to survive to adulthood) of Hōjō Ujiyasu, younger brother of Hōjō Ujimasa, Hōjō Ujiteru, Hōjō Ujikuni, Hōjō Ujinori, Hōjō Ujitada, and older brother of Hōjō Ujimitsu.

Career & Major Achievements

His mother was the sister-in-law of Toyama Yasumitsu, a vassal of the Hōjō clan (other sources say Suikeiin, Ujiyasu's principle wife). It's likely that he and Hōjō Ujihide were two different people and that Ujihide was the son of Hōjō Tsunashige and living in Edo while Saburō was living in Echigo, so most historians refer to him as Hōjō Saburō when describing his early life. As a child, he was sent into the priesthood at Sōun-ji in Hakone, then sent as hostage to Takeda Shingen of the Takeda clan in the three-way alliance between Hōjō, Takeda, and Imagawa formed in 1554. He was adopted by his uncle Hōjō Genan in 1569 and married his daughter. When the Hōjō and Uesugi clans formed an alliance in 1569, Saburō was sent to Uesugi Kenshin in an exchange of hostages with Kakizaki Haruie.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

At first, the hostage was set to be Hōjō Ujimasa's third son Kunimasumaru, but Ujimasa could not bring himself to send off his son, who was then still a baby. Saburō was sent to the Uesugi clan in early 1570. Kenshin, who never married, developed a liking for the handsome and intelligent Saburō. He married his niece Seienin, the daughter of Nagao Masakage and older sister of Nagao Akikage (Uesugi Kagekatsu) to Saburō, gave him the name Kagetora (a name that had once belonged to Kenshin himself), and adopted him into the Uesugi clan. When Kenshin died suddenly in 1578 without naming an heir, Kagetora and Kagekatsu, similarly adopted by Kenshin, fought for succession to the position of clan head.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1552: Birth of Uesugi Kagetora — Samurai figure known for his adoption by Uesugi Kenshin and subsequent conflict over succession.
2. 1554: 1554 Milestone — As a child, he was sent into the priesthood at Sōun-ji in Hakone, then sent as hostage to Takeda Shingen of the Takeda clan in the three-way alliance between Hōjō, Takeda, and Imagawa formed in 1554.
3. 1569: 1569 Milestone — He was adopted by his uncle Hōjō Genan in 1569 and married his daughter.
4. 1570: 1570 Milestone — Saburō was sent to the Uesugi clan in early 1570.
5. 1578: 1578 Milestone — However, in 1578, he was attacked in his castle at Otate by Uesugi Kagekatsu—Kagetora's respective brother-in-law—and was subsequently defeated.
6. 1579 (1579-04-19): Passing & Historical Legacy — Uesugi Kagetora passed away on 1579-04-19, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Uesugi Kagetora

True or False: “Uesugi Kagetora was the undisputed favorite heir to Uesugi Kenshin upon his death in 1578.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he was considered a strong candidate, the succession struggle involved both him and his brother-in-law, Uesugi Kagekatsu.

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