-Kenshin Uesugi-

(1530–78). Daimyo of the Sengoku (1467–1568) and Azuchi-Momoyama (1568–1600) periods. Kenshin was born into the Nagao family, who had since the 1340s served the Uesugi family as deputy governors (shugodai) of Echigo (now Niigata Prefecture). In 1507 Kenshin's father Nagao Tamekage (d 1537) rebelled against his overlords. He was succeeded by Kenshin's elder brother Harukage (d 1553), who proved unable to deal with recalcitrant provincial barons. Kenshin assumed the military leadership of his house in 1546. The brothers came into conflict, but peace was restored and Harukage adopted Kenshin as his son to give the appearance of orderly succession. On 28 January 1549 Kenshin was installed in the lordship and was at the time known as Nagao Kagetora.

In 1561 Uesugi Norimasa (d 1579), who had fled to Kagetora's protection, passed on to Kagetora the headship of the Uesugi family's Yamanouchi branch and the post of Kanto kanrei (shogunal deputy for the Kanto region). Kagetora assumed the name Uesugi Masatora. Kenshin is the name he bore as a Buddhist lay monk (nyudo) from January 1571.

Kenshin's career was marked by conflict with Oda Nobunaga, with Takeda Shingen (with whom he fought a series of battles at Kawanakajima), and with the Later Hojo (see Hojo family). Kenshin died on 19 April 1578, in the middle of preparations for another campaign, ostensibly against the Hojo in the Kanto. He was ultimately succeeded by his adopted son Uesugi Kagekatsu.