INTERACTIVE BATTLE
Second Battle of Ueda
October 1600 · Ueda Castle
Tokugawa Hidetada's army attacked Ueda Castle, defended by Sanada Masayuki and Nobushige, but failed to take it and was delayed on its westward march.
Background
In the factional conflict following Hideyoshi's death, the Sanada house divided: Sanada Masayuki and Nobushige opposed Tokugawa Ieyasu, while the eldest son Nobuyuki sided with the Tokugawa. As Tokugawa Hidetada's forces advanced westward along the eastern mountain road, they encountered the Sanada garrison at Ueda Castle.
Outcome
Sanada Masayuki and his son Nobushige held up in Ueda Castle and held off Hidetada's force. As a result, Hidetada's army arrived too late for the main battle at Sekigahara. After the campaign, Masayuki and Nobushige were exiled to Kudoyama, while the Ueda domain was granted to Nobuyuki, who had sided with the Tokugawa.
Course of the battle
1 September 1600
Hidetada's army advances on Ueda
Tokugawa Hidetada's Nakasendo army moved against Ueda while marching west. Sanada Masayuki and Nobushige, aligned with Ishida's side, defended the castle.
Sources123·Certainty: High
2 September 1600
The Tokugawa fail to take Ueda Castle
After negotiations and attacks, Hidetada's army failed to take Ueda Castle. Later anecdotes about taunts and stratagems are kept separate from the securely documented course of events.
Points of debate
Tactical details and anecdotes from later war tales are disputed.
Sources123·Certainty: High
3 September 1600
Hidetada leaves Ueda and resumes the westward march
Hidetada left Ueda and hurried west but did not reach the main battle at Sekigahara. The delay should not be attributed to the siege alone; communications and the wider march also mattered.
Points of debate
The late arrival at Sekigahara cannot be explained by Ueda alone.
Sources123·Certainty: High
Historical significance
Though a regional action separate from Sekigahara, it affected the movement of the eastern mountain road forces and the timing of the nationwide conflict. Ueda Castle was dismantled by the Tokugawa by 1601.
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Key figures
徳川方
1
Commander of the Tokugawa forces
Was delayed by engagement with the Sanada at Ueda Castle while advancing westward along the Tōsan'dō and did not reach the main Sekigahara battlefield.
Sources12·Certainty: High
真田氏
2
Lord of Ueda Castle
Held Ueda Castle with his son Nobushige, delayed the Tokugawa forces, and was exiled to Kudoyama after the campaign.
Sources12·Certainty: High
Son of Masayuki
Held Ueda Castle with his father, delayed the Tokugawa forces, and was exiled to Kudoyama after the campaign.
Sources12·Certainty: High
Other events of 1600
Sources consulted
- 上田市「上田城の歴史」
- 上田市「上田城歴史年表」
- 上田市「史跡上田城跡」
The numbers in the text refer to the list above. Certainty indicates how far a statement is supported by the cited sources; it does not refer to the precision of the coordinates or the dating.
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