Battles & Campaigns · 1548
Battle of Uedahara
Uedahara, Shinano Province, Japan
What happened
Takeda Shingen fought Murakami Yoshikiyo of Shinano Province. Takeda Shingen was expanding into Shinano, and Murakami marched to stop him. When Shingen's vanguard charged head-on, it was stopped, and its commander Itagaki Nobukata fell. Murakami's side used about 50 soldiers with guns alongside its archers, and Shingen himself was wounded.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was Shingen's first defeat. It is described as the first field battle in Japan where firearms were used.
What came next
Murakami lost many of his best samurai and his power declined. Shingen kept pushing to control Shinano.
Did you know?
Shingen was nicknamed the 'Tiger of Kai' for his skill in battle.
Timeline
- 1 December 1521Takeda Shingen is born.
- 14 February 1548Murakami wins at Uedahara.
- 13 May 1573Shingen dies.