Uesugi Kenshin (1530–78,) previously known as Nagao Kagetora, was a prominent Japanese daimyo (feudal lord) during the Sengoku period, renowned for his military prowess and his rivalry with Takeda Shingen.
Born into the Nagao clan in Echigo Province, Kagetora adopted the name Uesugi Kenshin upon becoming the head of the Uesugi clan. Renowned for his tactical brilliance, he earned the moniker “Dragon of Echigo” and is celebrated for his role in the numerous battles that defined the era.
Kenshin’s military success stemmed from trade reforms, market control, and land grants, which consolidated power and strengthened the economy while delegating administration and battles to vassals. He is often featured in historical fiction and scholarly works. His strategic insights and personal code of conduct have been extensively analyzed in various publications.
David L. Howell’s The Dragon and the Lotus: A Historical Biography of Uesugi Kenshin (2003) explores Kenshin’s life and military strategies. Michael A. R. Goodwin’s Kenshin: A Life of Loyalty (2011) delves into his personal ethics and leadership.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Uesugi Kenshin
Those who cling to life die, and those who defy death live.
—Uesugi Kenshin
Topics: Risk
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