INTERACTIVE BATTLE
Battle of Uedahara
1548 · Uedahara
Takeda Harunobu was defeated by Murakami Yoshikiyo at Uedahara and lost senior retainers including Itagaki Nobukata and Amari Torayasu.
Background
After Takeda Harunobu began invading Suwa in 1542, he advanced his forces into Ina and Saku, brought much of Shinano under his control, and confronted Murakami Yoshikiyo of northern Shinano. On February 1, 1548 (Tenbun 17), in heavy snow, rain, and sleet, he marched his army from Daimon Pass through Maruko and Sunabara Pass toward Kamihata.
Outcome
The two armies clashed at Uedahara. The Takeda side suffered a loss with their provincial governor Itagaki Nobukata falling in battle, and Harunobu himself was wounded—his first defeat. Though Harunobu did not initially withdraw, Komei Masatake (Kōhakusai) of Kōfu consulted with Lady Ōi and sent an emissary to persuade him to retreat, and the army withdrew to Ueharadai Castle.
Course of the battle
1 1542 – 1547
Takeda Harunobu Subdues Shinano and Confronts Murakami Yoshikiyo
Takeda Harunobu subdued Suwa, Ina, and Saku in succession, then placed Itagaki Nobukata as Suwa District Administrator at Uehara Castle before confronting Murakami Yoshikiyo in Northern Shinano.
Sources1234·Certainty: Medium
2 February 1, 1548
Takeda Forces Advance to Uedahara
Amid heavy snow, rain, and sleet, the Takeda forces emerged at Maruko from Daimon Pass, crossed Sunahara Pass, and advanced their troops to the vicinity of Kamihata.
Sources123·Certainty: High
3 1548
Battle of Uedahara
Takeda Harunobu was defeated by Murakami Yoshikiyo at the Battle of Uedahara and lost senior retainers including Itagaki Nobukata and Amari Torataka.
Sources123·Certainty: Medium
4 February 1548
Takeda Harunobu Withdraws to Uehara Castle
Dissatisfied with this first defeat, Harunobu was reluctant to withdraw. However, Komai Masatake (Kōhakusai) from Kōfu consulted with Lady Ōi and sent an envoy to persuade him. Harunobu then withdrew his forces to Uehara Castle.
Sources123·Certainty: Medium
Historical significance
This was the first defeat Takeda suffered in their invasion of Shinano. Murakami Yoshikiyo continued to resist from Toishi Castle, a key stronghold of northern Shinano, and the conflict between the two would continue for several more years.
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Key figures
武田氏
1
Commander of the Takeda forces
In February 1548, he advanced to Uedahara via the Daimon, Maruko, and Sunohara passes, collided with Murakami Yoshikiyo's forces, was wounded, and suffered his first defeat as lord.
Sources3·Certainty: High
村上氏
1
Commander of the Murakami forces
Opposed Takeda Harunobu's invasion of Shinano at Uedhara, slew Itagaki Nobukata, and repelled the Takeda forces.
Sources34·Certainty: High
Other events of 1548
Notes on the data
Itagaki Nobukata's death in battle is explicitly recorded in primary sources, but Amari Torataka's death is not directly mentioned in the sources consulted for this study, and supporting evidence from official records could not be confirmed. Likewise, as the specific date of the battle (such as February 14) is not explicitly stated, only the year (Tenbun 17) is provided.
Sources consulted
- 上田市「上田原合戦地」
- 上田市「板垣信方の墓」
- 上田市立博物館「上田原の合戦」
- 坂城町「葛尾城跡と村上義清」
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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