Head of the Takeda clan of Kai
Takeda Katsuyori
武田勝頼
birth year unknown – 1582
Head of the Takeda clan of Kai who succeeded Takeda Shingen. Born of a mother from the Suwa clan, he was initially positioned to inherit the Suwa clan name, but became Takeda heir after his brother Yoshinobu's disinheritance. In 1574, he conquered Takatenjin Castle in Tōtōmi and expanded his domain to its maximum extent, but suffered a decisive defeat against the Oda-Tokugawa alliance at the 1575 Battle of Nagashino-Shitarahara, losing many senior retainers including Baba Nobuharu and Yamamoto Masashige. The Kōsō Alliance collapsed in 1579, and he lost Takatenjin Castle in 1581, relocating his base to Shinpu Castle. When Kiso Yoshiaki defected in February 1582, Oda Nobutaka's forces invaded and his domain rapidly collapsed. In March 1582, after burning Shinpu Castle and fleeing, he was rejected even by Oyamada Nobutoki and committed suicide with his wife and heir at Tano.
Sources 山梨県立博物館「武田勝頼」特別展／韮崎市「新府城跡」／山梨県「武田勝頼の墓」／山梨県ふるさと教材・年表／新城市設楽原歴史資料館／掛川市「高天神城跡」
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Related events
5
1573
Month 4
Death of Takeda Shingen
Successor who took the headshipTakeda Shingen, who had been advancing on his western campaign, died of illness. With the loss of a figure capable of anchoring the anti-Nobunaga coalition, anti-Oda forces across the country lost much of their ability to coordinate.
1575
6/29
Battle of Nagashino and Shitaragahara
Took part / involvedThe allied forces of Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu, marching to relieve Nagashino Castle, defeated Takeda Katsuyori at Shitaragahara, where the Takeda lost many senior commanders.
1581
Month 4
Tokugawa Ieyasu’s Pressure on Kai and Shinano
Takeda side under siegeIeyasu intensifies operations on Takeda borders, swaying local lords and tightening the encirclement of Takeda Katsuyori.
1582
3/25
Fall of Takatō Castle
Took part / involvedOda Nobutada's army captured Takatō Castle from Nishina Morinobu, prompting Takeda Katsuyori to abandon Shinpu Castle and retreat eastward.
4/3
Death of Takeda Katsuyori
Took his own life at Tenmokuzan; end of the TakedaAfter abandoning Shinpu Castle, Takeda Katsuyori took his own life at Tano, bringing the Kai Takeda clan to an end.
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