History of the Uesugi Clan

Special thanks to Tippsy Sake for once again sponsoring this video! Use the link and promo code below if you would like to try out your very own carefully curated assortment of Sake straight from Japan!
LINK: www.tippsysake.com/discount/s...
Also be sure to use promo code SHOGUNATESEP to receive 15% off on all products!
In this video we will finally be diving into the fascinating history of the Uesugi clan, the famous Samurai family who would produce such prominent leaders as the legendary Uesugi Kenshin!
If you would like a say in which clan I cover next, consider supporting the channel on patreon! www.patreon.com/theshogunatey...
Check out my videos on the battles of Kawanakajima:
"The Road to Kawanakajima" • The Road to Kawanakaji...
"The Battles of Kawanakajima Part 1" • The Battles of Kawanak...
"The Battles of Kawanakajima Part 2" • The Battles of Kawanak...
Timestamps:
Intro 0:00
The early years 3:28
The rise to power 5:06
The Sengoku Jidai Begins 8:17
Enter Uesugi Kenshin 10:31
The Uesugi under Kenshin 15:29
After Kenshin, the years of Kagekatsu 19:37
The Edo period and beyond 25:09
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Sources Used:
"Samurai Battles" by Michael Sharp
"Hideyoshi" by Mary Elizabeth Berry
"Kawanakajima 1553-65" By Stephen Turnbull
Articles from the Japanese Wiki Corpus and Samurai Archives/wiki.
Also be sure to check out this great dissertation: "Uesugi Kenshin: a study of the military career of a sixteenth century warlord" hcommons.org/deposits/item/hc...
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Music:
"Liberation" by Asher Fulero
"Shaka" by Akira Ifukube
Artwork and Images:
The Samurai Portraits used are from the "Nobunaga's Ambition" Series and are the property of Koei Tecmo.
Classical art, which in most cases can be considered public domain.
Art from Osprey Publications.
Other modern artist renditions and photographs, if you see your work in this video please contact me so that I can give you proper credit!
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Social Media:
Facebook: / theshogunateyoutube
Twitter: / shogunatethe
#Samurai #History #Japan

[@vulpesinculta1919]

Lord Oda apparently remarked ‘The country is mine’ after Kenshin’s death. At the time Uesugi were making inroads against Oda. Interesting to think what would of happened if he hadn’t died or Uesugi had defeated Takeda earlier etc

[@ozgurpeynirci4586]

Yeah, I don't get why Kenshin didnt invade Oda after Tedorigawa?

[@yudistiraliem135]

@@ozgurpeynirci4586Kenshin also has known weakness and he has been ill for quite awhile. Also from the first his movement was never to unite Japan, it doesn’t look like it was his ambition to rule

[@xannymanny9754]

Well that’s why Shogun 2 exist lol

[@krieger8825]

There was no way the Uesugi could beat the Takeda

[@sammylong3704]

​@@ozgurpeynirci4586​ Kenshin was no fool. He had been fighting wars his entire life and never achieved anything close to the success Nobunaga had in warfare. The Oda would have destroyed the Uesugi, with or without Kenshin in charge.

[@TripleZHacker]

KENSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@nursery6269]

KENSHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@putraappm]

*kagetora*

[@trangho5317]

@@putraappm what take so long

[@alishermukhametkali9230]

SINGEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@randomgamingchanne5472]

From the God of War to a space professor? The Uesugi sure has no short supplies of talented men

[@Hubert99999]

Combined, this clan couldve had space samurai!

[@michaelbandada9887]

Takeda Shingen: Well, my dear nemesis, you’ve finally died, eh? Uesugi Kenshin: Uh huh, at least we could enjoy remembering about the good times, eh? Takeda Shingen: Yeah, however, it looks like your clan’s about to tear each other apart and end up being wiped out just like my own clan which got massacred at Nagashino at the hands of that moron, Oda Nobunaga, and his rifles

[@Chris_MarMar]

Except the Uesugi survived and are still around today. Takeda, not so much.

[@The_Dodge_Meister]

@@Chris_MarMar this is a lie the takeda clan family have ancestors even today from different branches there was one surviving son of takeda nobuchika

[@Les_Carnets_de_Tom]

@@The_Dodge_Meister yes and my school master Toshishiro Obata is a direct descendant from Obata Toramori one of Shingen's 24 trusted generals. Same from the inventor of Aiki Jutsu Takeda Sokaku. But indeed as a clan Uesugi prevailed. Takeda members where mostly saved by Tokugawa but the clan itself was dead

[@bkjeong4302]

The Takeda were still around when the Uesugi civil war was triggered by Kenshin’s death, to the point Katsuyori got himself actively involved in it in an attempt to recover from the losses he took at Nagashino.

[@MegaCokamo]

@@Chris_MarMardefinitely not as many as the Date clan, but they exist. Some have taken on different names

[@vilwind3522]

Uesugi ... from battlefield to space exploration ... always on the front line of Japan history. I doubt they will find another Uesugi Kenshin to propel them to glory but who knows ... it happend once might happen again. My family history is just 500 years old (I'm Polish) but none of my ancestors was famous enough to have a National Epic written about them. Can you imagine what it is to sit in a class and your teacher is telling everyone around about your Family History and their influence on your nation.

[@macdhomhnaill7721]

It’s a surreal and pride-inducing feeling! It sets alight a desire to strive towards leaving your mark as they did!

[@matthewct8167]

I have been waiting for this for sooooo long!!!!

[@-RONNIE]

Thank you for sharing the history with us

[@zombiehampster1397]

Thank you. Always a fan of the Uesugi clan, glad you made this.

[@terrellmcclendon1705]

Yet again another awesome video!!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾😎

[@cynfaelalek-walker7003]

Damn, the orchestral vocals near the end of the video really hit me, i could just feel the uesugi fall before my eyes, great editing choice my friend.

[@Know.All.Sides.of.the.Argument]

The Uesugi weathered adversity so much over the centuries, they entered the one field not corrupted by Japanese politics… SPACE!

[@irza4087]

I understand that reference 😂

[@xiongsamsung]

I was introduced to “Uesugi” in a really old school manga called “ore wa teppei” . Back then i didnt understand why the family was so well respected, until i learn about sengoku jidai years later. Enjoyed the video😊

[@deanzaZZR]

Haha Great transition to the ad. I used Tippsy several times over a year ago when I decided to broaden my sake knowledge. My experience was very positive. For those living in areas of the US with poor local selections it's a great option.

[@nobunaga512]

Great video of Kenshin 👌🏼☺️

[@dafullclip]

Thanks for the great video

[@azarishiba2559]

Sengoku BASARA fully embrace that theory about Kenshin being a woman, and mixing with references to takarazuka theater. Still, Kenshin's gender is never revealed in the games, but he is glorious, and one of the most awesome characters in the franchise! Also, wow, about the last Uesugi being related to astronautics was unexpected. I imagined the Dragon of Echigo transforming into a constellation, dominating the night skies.

[@dannygreenland4853]

Another great video, I do like the Uesugi but not as much as other clan's nice to know more about Kenshin, and the Uesugi clan.

[@HusbandOfManyWives1776]

Yes my most favorite clan. Thanks Shogun.:)

[@1290Li]

Late enka singer Haruo Minami wrote a song about the tale of Kenshin sending salt to Shingen which happened during the Kawanakajima Battle.

[@BuildingPhysiques]

Yooo let’s go 🔥🔥

[@gonzoducks8]

I have eagerly been awaiting for this one. Tike to switch to the TV.

[@merlaux2720]

This is fantastic

[@dafullclip]

Indeed!

[@foxdoesyoutube2621]

This series is arguably one of the best also second

[@xxlilbeans9247]

Massive W💪

[@cans597]

Finally! Was waiting for this video from so long! Kenshin (Kagetora) the GOAT. Ps. Would love if you do one of the Nagao clan in the future.

[@Blackwolfninja89]

My favorite Iteration of him is the Samurai Warriors 2 one that you shown in the beginning.

[@lewsoowiej5963]

Thanks! :)

[@JiggaMan1297]

This video is great. Could you do the Nagao clan as well ?

[@sengokusanada2690]

another awesome video! also is your channel format based off of The Great War channel?

[@TheShogunate]

I do love that channel!!

[@ninjammer726]

Please do videos on rare Japanese weaponry like the nagamaki, and the legendary ninja clans and legendary shinobi like fumataru and chiyome

[@user-vf9pw8xn1x]

I have a theory that Uesugi Kenshin may have had some sort of testosterone deficiency which, at the time would likely have gone undiagnosed and untreated. A friend of mine has a condition like this, which effectively stopped him from going through puberty. Until he began taking medication, he didn't go through any major growth-spurt, he didn't grow any facial hair, and he experienced low sex-drive. People would often remark that he looked younger or more feminine than he was, so I think this could possibly explain some of the records of Kenshin's appearance and mannerisms.

[@lewisaino]

So the ²Kenshins would look very young ??

[@birdkooistra1329]

Going to buy the 6 pack. i agree it is the best wat to start understanding Sake. beats the grocery stores choice. Also living in Kentucky, if I wanted Bourbon I'd ask a liquor store. For Sake.... Tipsy !

[@gerardfarresfranch7242]

One small fun fact. Kenshin is responsible for the Greenpeace slogan. Kenshin sent salt and other supplies to Shingen when the Takeda were going through a famine, and when his vassals questioned him, Kenshin said: "Wars are to be won with swords and spears, not with rice and salt." Greenpeace swapped things around and made it one of their slogans: "Wars are to be won with rice and salt, not with swords and spears."

[@tatefranklin4761]

Uesugi aggression is a heck of a thing to call defensive measures and the refusal to bend to the orders of a man who was at best the equal to Kagegatsu in terms of rank.

[@jazung]

Yessssssss!

[@herman1francis]

Go go uesugi Kenshin!

[@JohnWick-mt5jw]

FINALLY

[@Hubert99999]

Imagine being able to trace your heritage back to a legacy like that! I can to a very small degree but some guys have legendary ancestry!

[@MicahRibbentrop]

I don't drink much but this sponsor speaks to me

[@YugoAnimations]

Have you ever come across much on the Ando clan? My last name when in Japan is Ando, and my grandpa there uses the Fujisawa kamon like his father did, and his father before him. I think the Ando clan branched off of the Fujisawa clan which is why the kamon are similar. I can't find much on the Ando clan though... Only that the family split in two, then eventually became one again and renamed themselves Akita.

[@djzilla]

The funniest thing is I completely enjoy playing as the Ogigayatsu Uesugi clan an crushing the Hojo clans dreams of ambition when I play Sphere of Influence! Long live Uesugi Tomooki and Uesugi Tomosada!

[@marcelostalker]

An intense one, for sure. I always found it curious how Kagekatsu ended up marrying Shingen's daughter, I wonder how either the Tiger or the Dragon would react to such news. Shogunate, do you think it would be worth to look up the origins of the Nagao, prior to becoming Uesugi? I was just wondering that, since they are important for the history of the Uesugi (for obvious reasons), but I don't know if there even is enough to go on about them before Kenshin's time, and if it would be enough for a video.

[@minamotonokuroyoshitsune3237]

Can you do a video on the Ogasawara Clan?

[@kymneck6747]

do the asai next

[@darealgordonramsay6958]

I'm just starting out in this whole chapter of history, so bear with me. This might be common knowledge I just don't know but I'd like if these videos maybe included a bit of the myths surrounding the clans (or the most well known samurai of them). like if they had specific colors they'd wear or why some samurai get sick nicknames like "Demon King" or "The Dragon". Just as an example, the whole thing with the sanada having six coins on the helmet. Did all of them have it, or was it just a Nobushige thing?

[@wadepsilon01]

Although different of the video topic. I have a full body action figure of Bishamonten.(Buddha statue series of Revoltech Takeya)

[@joejunior5991]

at least Uesugi Clan survive the whole ordeal while Takeda Clan was doomed from the very start after Nagashino

[@lotharmumuller2212]

OSS, Uesugi Kenshin. 0ss.!! 👍👍

[@loveofmangos001]

I forgot this channel existed 😅

[@sushishogun2486]

what about the Honda clan and the Yagyu Clan and Mori Clan.

[@auscountryguy30]

Can you do Kikuchi clan?

[@tenchimuyo69]

To this day, most adoptions in Japan are of adults for political and business purposes. And it definitely happened a lot with the Uesugi. Kenshin may not even be the first adopted kanrei, as Yoshinori seems to have been as well, though I think the post was not yet hereditary to their clan at the time.

[@alinvoica937]

Hello! Does Tippsy also deliver to the UK if I order?

[@TheShogunate]

I would check on their website!

[@mikehunt9884]

NHK did a yearly taiga historical drama about Naoe Kanetsugu. He was a samurai who served with the Uesugi daimyos, its pretty good. Its called Tenchijin.

[@EmperorTikacuti]

What would’ve happened if Kagekatsu Uesugi aligned with Tokugawa Ieyasu instead of Toyotomi Hideyoshi following Oda Nobunaga’s death?

[@joejunior5991]

maybe Ieyasu still reduce the Uesugi Koku and still labeled as Tozama since Uesugi also the major threat in the Future of Tokugawa which like Mori and Shimazu who also a Major Power

[@auscountryguy30]

Can u do Kikuchi clan?

[@LibertarianTerriermon]

IT'S BEEN 3000 Years

[@kaedyn14]

Woah

[@DarkSaiya-jinXCV]

Who wants to see a video about the Kuroda clan?

[@maximus0928]

That’s so cool that you touched upon the subject of whether kenshin was a girl or not. I only just heard of that. When uesugi moved to Fukushima province, are they related at all to the aizu or nagoka clans from the boshin war or are the uesugi completely separate from those clans? If separate, what area if any did they hold during the boshin war?

[@TheShogunate]

The line under Kagekatsu that was relocated to yonezawa was technically different

[@2SSSR2]

14:04 Fate Grand Order got you covered there.

[@lucth16]

Hakkaisan? My second favorite sake! Mugen would be #1. Try and find a junmai DAIGINJO btw, the best of Hakkaisan.

[@michael.waddell]

Honda clan a possibility?

[@LibertarianTerriermon]

*Samurai Warriors Aya-Gozen Voice*: 💓💓KENSHIN💓💓

[@limmeh7881]

I read once that males have something akin to a monthly cycle, maybe that happened with Kenshin to a greater effect than usual. You do need to eat to regulate hormones I think.

[@outboundflight4455]

No comments on Naoe Kanetsugu?? He was one of the heads of the Uesugi

[@TheShogunate]

He gets brought up around the Sekigahara part of the video

[@outboundflight4455]

@@TheShogunate "Naoe Letter" missed that part since I saw the whole Sekigahara series you made. That Letter is a slap in the face to Ieyasu.

[@DJShire_ATL]

COMMMMMMME NEMESIS!!!!

[@lotharmumuller2212]

OSS, Uesugikenshin. Oss, 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@samwill7259]

Knowing my dumb ass I would have JUST gotten used to somebody's previous name when they went through a name change. Which I imagine was something of a faux pas.

[@uA-gy8wk]

越後の上杉謙信は日本全国で人気がある一方、 扇谷上杉家は、勢力下の地域の人間からも忘れ去られつつある。

[@alehaim]

*resisting the desire to mention Quintessential Quintuplets*

[@azarishiba2559]

Given the fact that this manga throws many references to Sengoku Period (so many that they can be overlooked if not putting much attention), the feeling is comprehensible XD XD In my case I was thinking in Sengoku BASARA XD XD

[@idowhatiwant253]

Uesugi fuutaro right?

[@yxx_chris_xxy]

Regarding Hojo Saburo, why would the name of the seventh-born son be literally "third-born son"? I accept that this is true, still it is strange...

[@azarishiba2559]

Well, still that is better than Nobunaga's sense of naming for his sons: "the next one", "person", "tea-whisk-boy"... They would have been glad genpuku ceremony existed in that time, so they could change those names into more sounding ones XD XD

[@yxx_chris_xxy]

​@@azarishiba2559 Lol. Very true! And Oda-sama's children were probably happy not to be (Elon) Musk-san's children (X Æ A-12).

[@guileuesugi]

Osu!

[@mythic.mythical]

Great video, but i do believe Kenshin was a woman and here why. One her own adopted son referred to her as mother instead of father ( this was in the son diary,) which is big since most men in japan wouldn't like to be called that during that time period. So she was ok being referred to as mother kinda is big for her gender. Second crossdressing isn't that unheard of for women to do in history, especially women who are also warriors. For instance Jeanne d'arc done this and her men thought she was a men, and if jeanne was never captured. History probably would have thought she was a male. And since kenshin never got captured or anything of the like, who say she wasn't doing what Jeanne did and cross dress. Third their are several theories on how Kenshin died, one is the assassin theory. But the other theory is she died of cancer from her privates. Fourth, kenshin to my knowledge is the only warlord to adopted children and, instead of having biological sons. Which is weird since this warlord could probably have anyone he wants, but instead of doing that. He adopt sons. Almost like kenshin didn't have what needed to make children (if you know what i mean). And theirs more but this is some of my main reasons that i think kenshin was a women.

[@blitz_cuby5450]

Nakano sisters: UESUGI KUN!!!!

[@idowhatiwant253]

Uesugi fuutaro

[@radoslavkosil7450]

1:20 they dont ship to evrope tho

[@dawexchampion]

I have never heard the theory that Kenshin might have been a woman before, but it's really fascinating. Would love to see a whole deep-dive on this 👀

[@theMOCmaster]

The northern court was not legitimate I thought? something to do with the regalia

[@TheMonkeyEmperor]

Soooooo, They're still scholars? Thats dooe

[@nobuyumi8029]

I know I've said it on my blog but honestly "Kenshin was a woman" is the only Sengoku Jidai conspiracy theory I'm willing to believe goven the evidence. I wouldn't fight anuone over it but also if we ever got proof of it I wouldn't be shocked.

[@wischfulthinking]

Just watch tenchijin

[@skateboardist1686]

Saying he might have been a woman tells me the people that followed him didn’t get to see him very much if at all. Rumors like this are caused by such things.

[@maryhawker5003]

You mentioned that some thought Kenshin was secretly a woman and he had menstrual cycles, but you thought he was a man bc it would’ve been too hard to keep up appearances, but there’s also a 3rd option. He was intersex. Many who are can have menstrual cycles but also have male parts on the outside of their bodies so it would’ve been easy to silence those who were suspicious. People who are intersex vary widely with how their bodies appear to others and how it works. Just some food for thought! I also just found out that it’s a very common trait, some researchers estimate that it occurs in 1 in 2000 births! Back then there was no surgery for this so maybe Kenshin had to get creative at times to pass as a man. But people in the courts gossiped a LOT, so I’m sure many a rumor was spread.

[@siyacer]

Had

[@Chris_MarMar]

Definitely not against communism so definitely not going to sub

[@babyinuyasha]

Based on the evidence, I believe Kenshin might have been intersex.

[@ilyasfizawi9309]

Wait Kenshin Uesugi is a man? did AliceSoft lie to me?

[@zhongxina988]

First

[@timclemons8719]

Wouldn’t the physicality of being a samurai be enough evidence of his masculinity??🤷🏻‍♂️

[@cromcruach5035]

About Kenshin's ambiguous gender, its possible he may have been intersex but was raised and socially regarded as male.

[@wadepsilon01]

Academically, the ''female theory'' is denied. Multiple misreadings of the materials of the novelist who advocated the rumor have been pointed out.

[@thelatterdayarbiter]

Perhaps Kenshin was a eunuch, whereas he could've been possibly neutered as devotion to his faith.

[@cromcruach5035]

@@wadepsilon01 Fair enough, it just occurred to me that its a possibility that rarely seems to get brought up when the subject is mentioned. Still, its definitely a bit of a long shot. I've heard it suggested he may have had Crohn's disease or liver trouble from his heavy drinking, but it still seems odd that it would hit him on a regular monthly basis. I guess we'll never really know seen as I imagine he was cremated.

[@cromcruach5035]

@@thelatterdayarbiter I can't say I've ever heard of castration for religious purposes being a thing with Japanese Buddhists, so I don't know.

[@yxx_chris_xxy]

There is evidence for Uesugi Kenshin having been a woman in a number of extant documents that are more relevant than the lost portraits, though. See the wikipedia page on Uesugi Kenshin. It does not seem to have been a secret in his/her lifetime.

[@scorpp149]

Didn't Ise Shinkuro take the name of Hojo? his son just inherited the name from his father.

[@TheShogunate]

It was posthumous

[@scorpp149]

@@TheShogunate the manual of shogun 1 total war says otherwise, but it confirms evrey other thing u said in the video.