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Located where the Saigawa and Chikumagawa rivers meet in the Japan Alps, lies
the plain of Kawanakajima. Between the years 1553 and 1564, five battles were
fought on this plain between the forces of Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen.
Since both Daimyo's provinces were separated by mountains, the plain was
destined to become a battlefield; being the only flatland bordering the two.
The First three of the battles were inconclusive encounters between the two
Daimyo. However, by 1561 Kenshin felt determined to fight a final battle. He
left his headquarters at the head of 15,000 men, marching towards Kawanakajima.
Upon arrival, he immediately laid siege to Kaizu Castle. Shingen, hearing the
news, mobilized the army and marched to lift the siege.
Both sides were in stalemate, neither side wishing to cross the Saigawa. The
situation looked as if it might be a repeat of the second battle. One of
Shingen's generals, Yamamoto Kansuke, devised a plan called "woodpecker," which
would allow for a sneak attack on the Uesugi. The plan called for a force to
climb Saijoyama from the rear at night and attack; driving the enemy down the
mountain and across the river, where Shingen's main force would be waiting.
Shingen agreed to the plan and separated his force, which by now had grown to
20,000; giving 12,000 to Kosaka Masanobu and keeping 8,000 for himself.
Uesugi must have suspected something. He marched his army, under the cover of
fog, down Saijoyama and across the Chikumagawa; detaching Amakasu with 3,000 to
guard the ford. Naoe with 2,000 was sent to guard the ford on the Saigawa. with
his remaining 10,000, Kenshin formed them up in a "winding wheel" formation and
marched on the Takeda. Meanwhile, Shingen had formed his troops up in a "cranes
wing," awaiting the fleeing Uesugi. However, as dawn broke and the fog gave way,
what he saw was not the fleeing Uesugi troops, but the whole army bearing down
on him.
The Vanguard of the Uesugi struck Takeda Nobushige, resulting in a great melee
in which Nobushige was killed. Unlike the Uesugi, Shingen could not rotate
reserves into the battle as easily as his opponents. For the Uesugi, when a unit
grew tired, a fresh unit could be rotated in its place. The tired Takeda troops
were being pushed back steadily. Yamamoto, realizing his plan had failed,
grabbed his weapon and threw himself into the fight. Wounded, he retired and
committed seppuku.
By this time the Uesugi were involved in melee with Shingen's Hatamoto. It was
then that a lone mounted Samurai galloped into the maku and struck at Shingen
with his katana. Shingen, having no time to draw his weapon, repelled the blows
with his warfan, until the horseman was driven away. By legend, the Samurai was
Kenshin himself.
Meanwhile, Shingen's brother had fallen in battle, as well as Morozumi. Despite
some success by Obu's and Anayama's troops, the Takeda were just holding on.
Shingen anxiously peered in the distance looking for Kosaka.
Kosaka had arrived at Uesugi's camp and found nothing. Hearing the sound of
battle, he moved quickly to the ford, only to be blocked by Amakasu. Fighting
grew fierce and the Uesugi toops were all but destroyed. Kosaka continued to the
sound of battle, charging into the rear of the Uesugi. The Takeda soon reestablished control of the lines and drove the Uesugi back. Defeat was turned
into victory for Shingen.
The victory...can it be called a victory? Both sides had virtually annihilated
one another. The Uesugi lost some 72% of their men to the Tekeda 62%, including
several great leaders. Later in 1564 another battle would be fought at Kawanakajima, but it would be a repeat of the first three engagements.
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