Sanada Yukitaka

• Born: 1512
• Died: 1574
• Title: Danjô no Jô
• Distinction: One of Takeda Shingen's 24 Generals

Yukitaka was native of Shinano province and may have been the son of Unno Munetsuna. After being defeated along with Unno around 1541 by the Murakami and Suwa, Yukitaka took up with the Nagano of Kôzuke. When Takeda Shingen heard of his ability, he managed to convince Yukitaka to join his retainer band around 1544. As a result, Yukitaka was able to reclaim Sanada castle around 1550. He was a noted strategist and assisted Shingen on numerous occasions, most notably in the capture of Toishi in 1550. He went on to fight at the Fourth Battle of Kawanakajima (1561) and died of illness a year after Shingen passed away.

References

• Initial text from Sengoku Biographical Dictionary (Samurai-Archives.com) FWSeal & CEWest, 2005