Foggy Kawanakajima, fourth battle

Nagano-city, Nagano A.D.1561

The Tiger of Kai Shingen vs. The Dragon of Echigo Kenshin. It is said that there were total of 5 battled that stretched for 12 years. The rivalry of the two over the territory dispute is too famous in history. Above all, we made the 3D lineup drawing of the maddening, fierce fourth battle of foggy Kawanakajima that is said to have caused about 27,000 casualties.

Highlights of the map

In foggy Kawanakajima, the attack route of one month until the lineup was laid out and cut out in white from the modern day road map to create a composite image. While Uesugi attacked by surrounding the troop headquarters in "Kurumagakarinojin" where his unit was formed radially, Takeda attacked in "Kakuyokunojin" where the troop headquarters was the center of gravity and the enemies were surrounded by cranewing line formation in the battle. The noteworthy fact is the moving distance of the war god Uesugi Kenshin. After his army arrived at Zenkoji ("卍" in the center of the map), they went along the mountain clockwise going south, Saijosan, then to the Kawanakajima decisive battle, and returned to Zenkoji clockwise; it is estimated that Kenshin ran through more than 85km in this battle alone.

Behind the scenes drama

Takeda Shingen expanded his territory by Shinano invasion. After attacking north and achieving Shinano unification, Echigo could be see ahead. Uesugi Kenshin (Nagao Kagetora) did not overlook that. 20 years before this battle… Shingen ousted his father Nobutora to Suruga, and became the head of the family at age 21. (There is a theory in background that Shingen responded to the senior vassal’s discontent of Nobutora.) After assuming the position of family head, Shingen’s power did not slow down; after 1542, he attacked Shinano, defeated his brotherinlaw Suwa Yorishige and Takato Yoritsugu who was a family of Yorishige, and gained control of the Ina district. He captured Saku district, Chiisagata district, and Chikuma district sequentially. Kitashinano generals who were afraid of Shingen’s fierce attacks sought help from his general. That was Uesugi Kenshin. Takeda and Uesugi threw themselves in a long scorching battle in accordance with their justice. One had the interest of his senior vassal, and the other had his country’s interests at heart; the battle could be seen as a headon collision of two great men.