Shingen Takeda, born in 1521 in the city of Kofu, became Daimyo of Kai in 1541 when he deposed his father.  He was ambitious, a brilliant strategist and a formidable leader; his political savy however did not measure up to his military might.  He was involved in numerous albeit fruitless encounters with the Hojo, Imagawa, Tokugawa and Oda clans.

    But his most intense rivalry was with Uesugi Kenshin, Daimyo of Echigo.  They confronted each other five times at Kawanakajima.  The fourth battle is the most memorable and among the most famous in japanese history.
 
 
 

    Through the years they developed great respect for each other as exemplified by this true story:

    Salt was an important commodity in Japan especially in the mountainous areas such as Kai where it was difficult to obtain.  Several of Takeda's enemies had decided to blockade the import of salt to Kai.  When he heard of this Uesugi decided to send salt to Takeda saying that he did not want his enemy vanquished by a salt blockade but through Yumi-Ya (military confrontation).  In appreciation Takeda presented Uesugi with  a now famous blade the Kou-no-Tachi.

    Years later upon hearing of Shingen's death Uesugi is said to have wept at the loss of his "best enemy".

    During his reign Shingen built Yogai castle in Kofu.  He resided on the shores of lake Suwa strategically located and within view of mount Fuji.
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    It is while reading Sun Tzu`s Art of War that he found what would become his famous Furin Kazan:
 
 

     A sniper's bullet put an end to his life during the siege of Noda castle in april of 1573 as he approached enemy lines to listen to a defender playing his flute.  His death was kept a secret for two years and the leadership of the clan was assumed by his son Katsuyori.  The celebrated japanese movie director, Kurosawa, made this incident the subject of a remarkable film: Kagemusha.  In february of 1574, in accordance with Shingen's last will, Kunitsugo Takeda, Shingen's  nephew was welcomed to Aizu by Daimyo Moriuji Ashina an old friend of Shingen.
 

    Katsuyori besieged the castle of Nagashino in june 1575 against an alliance formed by Oda Nobugana.  On the morning of june 29 1575 the famed cavalry of the Takeda clan charged in the direction of the Rengogawa river which had been laden with ropes by the defenders.  This slowed them down considerably, they where now easy targets for the 3,000 arquebusiers that where waiting for them.  They were slaughtered.

    Katsuyori retreated to Kai. The combined forces of Oda and Tokugawa invaded Kai and defeated him in 1582.  Katsuyori committed seppuku.  This was the end of the Takeda clan as a military force.