• See also: List of Provinces

Shinano Province

Shinano Province (信濃国) was one of the many provinces of Japan.

Folktales

The folktale The Clever Boar and Monkey is set in this province.⁵

Legenedary Period

Yamanobe no Ohotaka passed through here on his way to catch a swan for the Prince Homutsuwake.⁴

Nara Period

Around 717AD we see the Priest Manzei promoted to the rank of Junior Fourth-rank Upper-grade and subsequently made General of Owari, Mikawa and Shinano Provinces.¹

Azuchi-Momoyama Period

The Provinces of Shinano and Echigo were attacked by Takeda Shingen after displacing his father Nobutora in 1541. In 1542 he was made shugo of Shinano by Ashikaga Yoshiteru. A series of later failed alliences led to the Battle of Mitakagahara in 1573 against Oba Nobunaga of which the Takeda were the victors.²

Takeda Katsuyori was daimyō of the Shinano, Kai, Suruga and Kōzuke Province during his lifetime.²

Edo Period

The poet Kobayashi Issa was born here in the village of Kashiwabara in 1736. Here he was educated by a village teacher, his teaching under the name of Shimpo writing haiku.³

Footnotes

1. Miller, R. A.. (1981) “The Lost Poetic Sequence of the Priest Manzei”. Monumenta Nipponica. Vol.36 No.2 pp.133-172
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
3. Carter, S.D. (1991) “Traditional Japanese Poetry: An Anthology.” California, Stanford University Press.
4. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
5. Ozaki, Y.T. (2015) “Japanese Fairy Tales” USA: Cavalier Classics.

Former Provinces of Japan
Kinai	Izumi * Kawachi * Settsu * Yamashiro * Yamato
Tōsandō	Dewa * Hida * Kōzuke * Mino * Mutsu * Omi * Shimotsuke * Shinano
Hokurikudō	Echigo * Echizen * Etchū * Kaga * Koshi * Wakasa
San’indō	Hōki * Inaba * Izumo * Tajima * Tamba * Tango
Tōkaidō	Ise * Kai * Kazusa * Mikawa * Owari * Sagami * Shimōsa * Suruga * Tōtōmi
Nankaidō	Awa * Iyo * Kii * Sanuki * Tosa
San’yōdō	Aki * Harima * Mimasaka
Saikaidaō	Bungo * Chikuzen * Hizen * Hyūga * Iki * Tsushima
Pre-Taihō Code	Kibi

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• First Ruler: –
• Final Ruler: Takeda Katusyori
• Dissolution: Suicide of Katsuyori in 1582.
• Cadet Branches: Aki, Kai, Wakasa
• For a full list of Japanese Clans see: Clans.

Takeda Clan

The Takeda Clan (武田氏) was a prominent clan and military house during the Kamakura, Muromachi and Azuchi-Momoyama Periods, taking their name from Takeda in Kai Province.¹

Kamakura Period

The Clan fought during the Taira-Minamoto war (1180) for Minamoto no Yorimoto, as well as taking part in the Jōkyū Disturbance of 1221. Takeda Nobumitsu became shugo of Aki Province for his involvement in the 1221 disturbance, establishing the Aki Branch of the family.¹

Muromachi Period

During the Eikyō Disturbance in 1438 they helped the shogunate in destroying Ashikaga Mochiuji.¹

Takeda Shingen, after displacing his father Nobutora in 1541 aimed to conquer much territory, attacking the provinces of Shinano and Echigo Province. A series of later attempts at failed alliences led to the Battle of Mitakagahara in 1573 against Oda Nobunaga, of which the Takeda were victorious.²

During the Sengoku Period, to help fuel their battles and other exploits, the Takeda gained much of their money from a secret mine located in the Kurokawa Kinzan Mountain (see Oiran Buchi). The gold mining peaked during Takeda Shingen, who used the gold to build a large spy network, adept at using female ninja ‘ku-no-ichi‘. These women posed as anything from, holy women, to servants, to prostitutes who gained intel from his rivals.³

Azuchi-Momoyama Period

After Shingen’s death, his work was left to his son Katsuyori. Katsuyori would eventually fail as his allies left to side with Nobunaga, causing him to eventually flee and commit suicide in 1582.¹

Both main branches of the Takeda (the Kai and Wakasa branches) were destroyed within four months and one week of one another^,1 with the death of Takeda Katusyori marking the end of the family.²

Branch Families

Aki

There were at least 10 Takeda shugo during the Muromachi Shogunate from Aki Province, this lineage started by Takeda Nobumitsu after his involvement in the Jōkyū Disturbance.¹

Kai

This branch fell to Oda Nobunaga in 1582 folowing the exploits of Shingen and his son Katsuyori.¹

Wakasa

An offshoot of the Aki Branch, this lineage of military governors dwelled in Wakasa Province from 1440. These Takeda were known for cultural pursuits, including a compiled set of rules of chivalrous bearing, especially of mounted archery (yabusame). This branch developed a Takeda school of military ettiquette (kyūba kojitsu).

By the late 16th century they fall under the sway of Oda Nobunaga, with the exploits of Takeda Motoaki leading to the destruction of the Wakasa branch.¹

Members of the House

Aki Branch

• Takeda Nobumitsu – d.1248

Kai Branch

• Takeda Katusyori – 1546-82
• Takeda Nobutora – 1498-1574
• Takeda Nobuyoshi – d.1186
• Takeda Shingen – 1521-73

Wakasa Branch

• Takeda Motoaki – 1552-1582

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
3. Yoda, H & Alt, M. (2012) “Yurei Attack: The Japanese Ghost Survival Guide” Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing.

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• Period: Muromachi Period / Azuchi-Momoyama
• Occupation: daimyo
• Family: Takeda Shingen (father)
• Birth: 1546AD
• Death: 1582AD

Takeda Katsuyori

Takeda Katsuyori (武田 勝頼), also known as Takeda Shirō, was a daimyo and member of the Kai branch of the Takeda Clan.¹² As daimyo he ruled over the Kai, Shinano, Suruga and Kōzuke Provinces, and he was descended from a long line of shugo of Kai Priovince since the Kamakura Period.¹

After the death of his father Shingen he tried to continue his work to expand their territory¹, however, he was not an effective or popular administrator.²

Invading the Province of Mikawa he went against Tokugawa Ieyasu,² however here he was routed by Ieyasu and Nobunaga at the Battle of Nagashino in 1581.¹²

His allies turned to side with Nobunaga in 1582 who then launched an attack into Takeda territory causing him to flee and eventually he committed suicide² April 3rd 1582.¹

His death marked the end of the Takeda Clan.¹

Footnotes

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
2. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.

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• Period: Muromachi Period
• Occupation: shugo / daimyo
• Family: Takeda Nobutora (father) Takeda Katsuyori (son)
• Birth: 1521AD
• Death: 1573AD

Takeda Shingen

Takeda Shingen (武田 信玄) was a daimyo of Kai Province living from 1521-73. Also going by the name of Takeda Harunobu, he was from long line of shugo of this province since Kamakura times.¹

In 1541 he expelled his father Nobutora and so succeeds him as Head of the Kai Branch of the Takeda Clan.¹²

After doing so he starts to conquer his neighbours. The following year in 1542 he overwhelmed the lords of Shinano and was appointed shugo of the province by Ashikaga Yoshiteru. His next attack was centered against Uesugi Kenshin of Echigo province, where after a series of battles between 1553-1564 Shingen was the victor.

He made attempts at alliances with Imagawa Yoshimoto but ultimately failed, and following a victory against him in 1560 he attempted an alliance with Oda Nobunaga.  Making oppositions against the Hōjo Clan caused Tokugawa Ieyasu to ally with Uesugi Kenshin against him and so he reconciled with the Hōjo Clan and moved to attack Uesugi once more.

This led to him defeating Nobunaga and Ieyasu in the Battle of Mitakagahara in 1573, but he ultimately died of disease the same year on May 13th. It was left to his son, Katsuyori, to continue his work.¹

During his lifetime the Clans hidden gold mine in the Kurokawa Kinzan Mountain reached its peak, with Shingen using the gold to build a large spy network, adept at using female ninja ‘ku-no-ichi‘.³

Footnotes

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
2. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
3. Yoda, H & Alt, M. (2012) “Yurei Attack: The Japanese Ghost Survival Guide” Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing.

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• Period: Muromachi Period/Azuchi-Momoyama Period
• Occupation: shugo
• Family: Takeda Shingen (son)
• Birth: 1498AD
• Death: 1574AD

Takeda Nobutora

Takeda Nobutora (武田 信虎) was from the Kai branch of the Takeda Family living from 1498-1574.¹ His son Takeda Shingen displaced him in 1541.¹²

He was from long line of shugo of Kai Province since Kamakura times¹ and his family position here was secured by him as he established his family as a Sengoku Daimyō House.²

References

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
2. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.

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Hear about this event on Bonus Episode 15 of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

• Co-ordinates: 35° 48′ 25.9″ N, 138° 51′ 20.6″ E
• Region: Chūbu Region
• Prefecture: Yamanashi Prefecture

Oiran Buchi

Oiran Buchi (花魁淵/おいらん淵 – The Courtesan’s Abyss) is a gorge/waterfall located in Yamanashi Prefecture.

The area is known from an event from around the 1570’s (Sengoku Period) involving the Takeda Clan at the time.

During the Sengoku Period, to help fuel their battles and other exploits, the Takeda gained much of their money from a secret mine located in the Kurokawa Kinzan Mountain. Other exploits the money went to involved giving money to shrines, as well as burying amounts hidden in the foothills.

The gold mining peaked during Takeda Shingen, a strategy genius who used the gold to build a large spy network, adept at using female ninja ‘ku-no-ichi‘. These women posed as anything from, holy women, to servants, to prostitutes who gained intel from his rivals.

For the mining they employed many men and in addition they also made use of 55 courtesans who would entertain the men on their downtime.

Eventually the mine began to run dry and so decisions were made to close the mine. However, wishing to keep the mine a secret it was decided that the 55 courtesan’s would need to be gotten ridden of as they may have learnt of the mine from entertaining the men. (Or even from their skills as ku-no-ichi if that is what they were.)

And so a platform was constructed, suspended over the gorge here, with the 55 women placed on the stage being told they were to practise for a thank you party for the coming night. As they continued their practise, Takeda men destroyed the supports of the platform, causing all the women to fall to their deaths. Their bodies were eventualy retrieved from the bend in the gorge. It is inclued as a Yokai in certain literature.¹

Footnotes

1. Yoda, H & Alt, M. (2012) “Yurei Attack: The Japanese Ghost Survival Guide” Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing.

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• See also: List of Provinces

Kai Province

Kai Province (甲斐国) was once a Province of Japan, located in what is now Yamanashi Prefecture.¹²

Established historically during the Taika Reforms,¹ it is said this area was also visited previously by Yamato Takeru when he visited from the east.² Geographically the entire Province is split in two by mountains, with the area being famous for its fabric and black horses.²

By the time of the Heian Period member of the Minamoto Clan settles here, with Minamoto no Yoshimutsu acting as Governor of Kai for a time. The descendants from here of the Minamoto Clan are known as the Kai Genji, with the dominant line of this family being the Takeda Family.¹

During the Kamakura Period, the Takeda Family were the leading power in the region acting as shugo¹ (Military Governors) until the Azuchi-Momoyama Period under the rulership of Takeda Katsuyori. After several battles againsts other clan leaders by Katsuyori’s father Takeda Shingen, including the Battle of Mitakagahara in 1573 in which the Takeda won against Oda Nobunaga, they were ultimately defeated and destroyed in 1582 following the Battle of Nagashino the year before.²

After the death of Nobunaga control of the region was overseen by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and then Tokugawa Ieyasu.¹

By the Edo Period the area was under the control of the Tokugawa Shogunate.¹²

The Province was name Kōfu Prefecture in 1869 but was renamed again in 1871 to Yamanashi Prefecture.²

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.

Former Provinces of Japan
Kinai	Izumi * Kawachi * Settsu * Yamashiro * Yamato
Tōsandō	Dewa * Hida * Kōzuke * Mino * Mutsu * Omi * Shimotsuke * Shinano
Hokurikudō	Echigo * Echizen * Etchū * Kaga * Koshi * Wakasa
San’indō	Hōki * Inaba * Izumo * Tajima * Tamba * Tango
Tōkaidō	Ise * Kai * Kazusa * Mikawa * Owari * Sagami * Shimōsa * Suruga * Tōtōmi
Nankaidō	Awa * Iyo * Kii * Sanuki * Tosa
San’yōdō	Aki * Harima * Mimasaka
Saikaidaō	Bungo * Chikuzen * Hizen * Hyūga * Iki * Tsushima
Pre-Taihō Code	Kibi

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• See also: List of Provinces

Echigo Province

Echigo Province (越後国) was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Niigata Prefecture, established in the early 8th Century.¹

The folktale called The Mirror of Matsuyama is set in this province.⁴

Legendary Period

It is mentioned in the nihongi alongside that of Echizen Province and Etchu Province. However, they are grouped together and given the name of Koshi. Koshi being the fifth island of Japan created by Izanami and Izanagi.²

7th Century onwards

Echigo was created in the 7th Century when the Province of Koshi was broken into Echigo, Etchizen and Etchu and was ruled over by the Uesugi family between the 12th to 16th century.¹ The Province was attacked by Takeda Shingen in a series of battles between 1553-1564 against Uesugi Kenshin with Shingen being the victor.³

During the Edo Period it was divided into a number of domains.

The outposts of Nutari no Ki and Iwafune no Ki were constructed here to hold troops to aid in the control of the Ezo people.¹

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
3. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
4. Ozaki, Y.T. (2015) “Japanese Fairy Tales” USA: Cavalier Classics.

Former Provinces of Japan
Kinai	Izumi * Kawachi * Settsu * Yamashiro * Yamato
Tōsandō	Dewa * Hida * Kōzuke * Mino * Mutsu * Omi * Shimotsuke * Shinano
Hokurikudō	Echigo * Echizen * Etchū * Kaga * Koshi * Wakasa
San’indō	Hōki * Inaba * Izumo * Tajima * Tamba * Tango
Tōkaidō	Ise * Kai * Kazusa * Mikawa * Owari * Sagami * Shimōsa * Suruga * Tōtōmi
Nankaidō	Awa * Iyo * Kii * Sanuki * Tosa
San’yōdō	Aki * Harima * Mimasaka
Saikaidaō	Bungo * Chikuzen * Hizen * Hyūga * Iki * Tsushima
Pre-Taihō Code	Kibi

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