Japan’s 10 Most Stunning Samurai Warriors

Takeda Shingen was a powerful daimyō who served during the Sengoku period who is best known for his exceptional military prestige. His first foray into increasing his lands led him to conquer the Shinano Province.

Through the course of seven years, Shingen moved his forces against the opposing warlords of Shinano to defeat them time and time again. While he had some setbacks, he ultimately attained victory over all of his rivals when he took Fukashi in 1550 following the Battle of Shiojiritoge.

Following this victory, he became embroiled in the legendary rivalry with Uesugi Kenshin. Their forces came into conflict on five separate occasions in the Battles of Wakanakajima, though neither succeeded in killing the other.

For the next 22 years, Shingen continued his expansion across much of Japan. He opposed Oda Nobunaga and was probably the only warlord capable of mounting an opposition to his desire to rule all of Japan. Before he could pull off an assault, he died while in camp between conflicts in the Mikawa Province. There is no official record as to how he died, but rumors suggest he succumbed to an old war wound, though some accounts say he was killed by a sniper.