Thursday, August 30, 2012

The Dragon of Echigo

In Chinese mythology, the Dragon and Tiger are forever in contention. So it would be appropriate that the Tiger of Kai, of whom I've posted about before would have a long time adversary known and the Dragon of Echigo.


Below is an excerpt from the Wikipedia article on Uesugi Kenshin, thd Daimyo of Echigo province and a legendary general. The full article may be read here.

Uesugi Kenshin (上杉 謙信?, February 18, 1530 – April 19, 1578) was a daimyo who ruled Echigo province in the Sengoku period of Japan.

He was one of the most powerful lords of the Sengoku period. While chiefly remembered for his prowess on the battlefield, Kenshin is also regarded as an extremely skillful administrator who fostered the growth of local industries and trade; his rule saw a marked rise in the standard of living of Echigo. Kenshin is famed for his honourable conduct, his military expertise, a long-standing rivalry with Takeda Shingen, his numerous campaigns to restore order in the Kanto region as the Kanto Kanrei, and his belief in the Buddhist god of war — Bishamonten. In fact, many of his followers and others believed him to be the Avatar of Bishamonten, and called Kenshin god of war.

4 comments:

  1. I live in the prefecture right next to his old domain. There used to be a lot of forts in the mountains around this area to fight against invasion if it came. Cool stuff.

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  2. Indeed, and it goes into Chinese culinary culture with their "Dragon, Tiger and Phoenix" dish or wine, three being a lucky number in Chinese culture, so poor phoenix is dragged in too...the proxies snake, cat and chicken..:):)

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