Changes

==The Dragon of Echigo==  

==The Dragon of Echigo==  

[[Image:Uesugi_kenshin.jpg|thumb|right|Uesugi Kenshin]]

[[Image:Uesugi_kenshin.jpg|thumb|right|Uesugi Kenshin]]

Uesugi Kenshin was born in February [[1530]] at Kasugayama in [[Echigo province]], the 4th son of [[Nagao Tamekage]], a powerful warlord who was first an enemy and then a nominal vassal of the Yamaouchi-Uesugi. A leader of some note, Tamekage had in his youth defeated [[Uesugi Sadanori]] in [[1509]] at the [[Battle of Ichiburi]]. He had then been besieged at Nishihama ([[Etchu province]]) by [[Uesugi Funayoshi]] and emerged victorious, killing Funayoshi in the process. In later years, Tamekage found himself confronted both with rebellious kokujin within Echigo and the growing power of the Ikko-Ikki in the Hokuriku. In 1530-[[1531|31]] a power struggle took place within the so-called ‘Peasant’s province’ of [[Kaga Province|Kaga]] that saw the nominal [[Shugo]] family, the Togashi, expelled once and for all and the Honganji assume the dominant political position. From this point on the Ikko became more aggressive in their relations with neighboring daimyo, and those who opposed the Honganji were liable to suffer internal difficulties in the form of riots or even armed attacks. This was nowhere more the case then in Echigo, prompting Nagao Tamekage in [[1536]] to raise an army and march westward, possibly in the hopes of reaching Kaga. A fierce battle took place at [[Battle of Sendanno|Sendanno]] in Etchu that left Tamekage dead and his army defeated.<ref>The victorious enemy commander was a certain [[Enami Kazuyori]].</ref> It was one of the Kaga Ikko’s greatest triumphs and disastrous to the stability of Echigo. Leadership of the Nagao fell to Tamekage’s eldest son, Harukage, whose cause was forwarded by a number of important Nagao retainers. A power struggle ensued, in the course of which another of Tamekage’s sons, Kageyasu, was killed. The youngest son was spirited away to the Rizen-ji, where he studied from the age of 7 to 14.  

Uesugi Kenshin was born in February [[1530]] at Kasugayama in [[Echigo province]], the 4th son of [[Nagao Tamekage]], a powerful warlord who was first an enemy and then a nominal vassal of the Yamaouchi-Uesugi. A leader of some note, Tamekage had in his youth defeated [[Uesugi Sadanori]] in [[1509]] at the [[Battle of Ichiburi]]. He had then been besieged at Nishihama ([[Etchu province]]) by [[Uesugi Funayoshi]] and emerged victorious, killing Funayoshi in the process. In later years, Tamekage found himself confronted both with rebellious kokujin within Echigo and the growing power of the Ikko-Ikki in the Hokuriku. In 1530-[[1531|31]] a power struggle took place within the so-called ‘Peasant’s province’ of [[Kaga province|Kaga]] that saw the nominal [[Shugo]] family, the Togashi, expelled once and for all and the Honganji assume the dominant political position. From this point on the Ikko became more aggressive in their relations with neighboring daimyo, and those who opposed the Honganji were liable to suffer internal difficulties in the form of riots or even armed attacks. This was nowhere more the case then in Echigo, prompting Nagao Tamekage in [[1536]] to raise an army and march westward, possibly in the hopes of reaching Kaga. A fierce battle took place at [[Battle of Sendanno|Sendanno]] in Etchu that left Tamekage dead and his army defeated.<ref>The victorious enemy commander was a certain [[Enami Kazuyori]].</ref> It was one of the Kaga Ikko’s greatest triumphs and disastrous to the stability of Echigo. Leadership of the Nagao fell to Tamekage’s eldest son, Harukage, whose cause was forwarded by a number of important Nagao retainers. A power struggle ensued, in the course of which another of Tamekage’s sons, Kageyasu, was killed. The youngest son was spirited away to the Rizen-ji, where he studied from the age of 7 to 14.  

When the boy reached 14, he was approached by [[Usami Sadamitsu]]<ref>Also known as Usami Sadayuki and sometimes as Usa Sadayuki.</ref> and others, who urged him to make a claim for leadership of the Nagao family. Evidently, Harukage was an unpopular figure who had failed to garner the loyalty of the province’s various and powerful kokujin families. Internal strife soon threatened to tear the province apart.

When the boy reached 14, he was approached by [[Usami Sadamitsu]]<ref>Also known as Usami Sadayuki and sometimes as Usa Sadayuki.</ref> and others, who urged him to make a claim for leadership of the Nagao family. Evidently, Harukage was an unpopular figure who had failed to garner the loyalty of the province’s various and powerful kokujin families. Internal strife soon threatened to tear the province apart.