Changes

The ability of the Takeda to extend its influence ended after Nagashino and Katsuyori felt compelled to marry the sister of [[Hojo Ujimasa|Hôjô Ujimasa]] in the 1st month of [[1577]].  Uesugi Kenshin of [[Echigo province|Echigo Province]], until now loosely aligned with the Oda against the Takeda, had changed course out of concern for the Oda's advance into [[Kaga province|Kaga Province]] and made peace with Katsuyori.  Oda Nobunaga was content to leave Tokugawa Ieyasu to contain Katsuyori and the Tokugawa alone did not have the strength to seriously damage the Takeda's position.  Thus, despite the serious blow dealt by Nagashino to the Takeda, it did not prove immediately fatal.

The ability of the Takeda to extend its influence ended after Nagashino and Katsuyori felt compelled to marry the sister of [[Hojo Ujimasa|Hôjô Ujimasa]] in the 1st month of [[1577]].  Uesugi Kenshin of [[Echigo province|Echigo Province]], until now loosely aligned with the Oda against the Takeda, had changed course out of concern for the Oda's advance into [[Kaga province|Kaga Province]] and made peace with Katsuyori.  Oda Nobunaga was content to leave Tokugawa Ieyasu to contain Katsuyori and the Tokugawa alone did not have the strength to seriously damage the Takeda's position.  Thus, despite the serious blow dealt by Nagashino to the Takeda, it did not prove immediately fatal.

In [[1578]], following the death of Uesugi Kenshin, civil war broke out between his two successors, [[Uesugi Kagatora]] and [[Uesugi Kagekatsu]].  Kagetora had been adopted from the Hôjô family and so the Hôjô expected Katsuyori to support him.  However, Katsuyori came out in favor of Kagekatsu.  It is unclear if this was primarily as the result of Kagekatsu offering to give Katsuyori the lands the Uesugi controlled in Shinano or out of a fear that, should Kagetora win and the Hôjô thus assume so much influence over Echigo, the Takeda might someday be virtually surrounded by enemies if the Takeda-Hôjô alliance folded.  Ujimasa was furious by Kagekatsu's bad faith and cancelled his alliance with Katsuyori and opened relations with the Oda and Tokugawa.  On the other hand, although Kagekatsu had triumphed in Echigo, the Uesugi clan was badly weakened by the so-called [[Otate no ran]] and at any rate pressed by Oda advances in [[Etchu province|Etchu Province]], leaving Katsuyori effectively isolated after all.

In [[1578]], following the death of Uesugi Kenshin, civil war broke out between his two successors, [[Uesugi Kagetora]] and [[Uesugi Kagekatsu]].  Kagetora had been adopted from the Hôjô family and so the Hôjô expected Katsuyori to support him.  However, Katsuyori came out in favor of Kagekatsu.  It is unclear if this was primarily as the result of Kagekatsu offering to give Katsuyori the lands the Uesugi controlled in Shinano or out of a fear that, should Kagetora win and the Hôjô thus assume so much influence over Echigo, the Takeda might someday be virtually surrounded by enemies if the Takeda-Hôjô alliance folded.  Ujimasa was furious by Kagekatsu's bad faith and cancelled his alliance with Katsuyori and opened relations with the Oda and Tokugawa.  On the other hand, although Kagekatsu had triumphed in Echigo, the Uesugi clan was badly weakened by the so-called [[Otate no ran]] and at any rate pressed by Oda advances in [[Etchu province|Etchu Province]], leaving Katsuyori effectively isolated after all.

In [[1580]] Takeda and Hôjô troops clashed in Suruga Province and in the 3rd month of [[1581]] Takatenjin Castle in Tôtômi Province fell to the Tokugawa.  This represented a serious blow to the prestige of the Takeda and further disenchanted Katsuyori's retainers.  Katsuyori spent the rest of the year attempting to shore up the Takeda's army and defenses, to that end ordering large drafts and levies of labor and funds and directing [[Sanada Masayuki]] to begin construction of [[Shinpu Castle]] [新府城] at present-day Nirasaki, where Katsuyori intended to move the Takeda headquarters.  These moves served to further tarnish Katsuyori's reputation within the Takeda domain.

In [[1580]] Takeda and Hôjô troops clashed in Suruga Province and in the 3rd month of [[1581]] Takatenjin Castle in Tôtômi Province fell to the Tokugawa.  This represented a serious blow to the prestige of the Takeda and further disenchanted Katsuyori's retainers.  Katsuyori spent the rest of the year attempting to shore up the Takeda's army and defenses, to that end ordering large drafts and levies of labor and funds and directing [[Sanada Masayuki]] to begin construction of [[Shinpu Castle]] [新府城] at present-day Nirasaki, where Katsuyori intended to move the Takeda headquarters.  These moves served to further tarnish Katsuyori's reputation within the Takeda domain.