Who Is Uesugi Kenshin (Terutora) (Dragon of Echigo)?

Uesugi Kenshin (1530–1578) was a Sengoku-period daimyo of Echigo Province (today's Niigata Prefecture). He was a devoted believer in Bishamonten, a god of war, and was famous for his skill in battle. He was first called Nagao Kagetora, later changed his name to Uesugi Masatora and then Terutora, and finally took the name Kenshin when he became a Buddhist monk. He fought Takeda Shingen several times at Kawanakajima over control of Shinano Province.

In Episode 3, Kenshin is the Takeda side's opponent. He sets up camp on Mount Saijo, but sees through the Takeda plan and silently leads his whole army down the mountain at night and across the Chikuma River. In Episode 4, he is the other main character, striking the main Takeda force out of the fog. According to the Kōyō Gunkan, an unnamed mounted warrior rode right up to Shingen's camp stool and slashed at him three times. It was later said that this warrior was Terutora (Kenshin) himself.

Another popular story says Kenshin figured out the Takeda plan when he noticed more cooking smoke than usual rising from Kaizu Castle.