Takeda Nobutora

Takeda Nobutora (武田 信虎; February 11, 1494 – March 27, 1574) was a Japanese daimyō (feudal lord) who controlled the Province of Kai, and fought in a number of battles of the Sengoku period. He was the father and predecessor of the famous Takeda Shingen.¹

Biography

Nobutora’s son was Harunobu, later known as Takeda Shingen, along with two other sons, Nobushige and Nobukado.

Nobutora defeated Imagawa Ujichika in 1521 at the Battle of Iidagawara, defeated Hōjō Ujitsuna in 1526 at the Battle of Nashinokidaira, defeated Suwa Yorishige in the 1531 at Battle of Shiokawa no gawara, and defeated Hiraga Genshin in the 1536 at Battle of Un no Kuchi with the aid of his son Harunobu.¹² During that battle, Nobutora was forced to retreat, but his son Harunobu turned around the condition, defeated Hiraga and took the castle.

Nobutora nevertheless wished to pass on his domain to Nobushige, and so in 1540, Harunobu overthrew his father and exiled him to Suruga. Nobutora didn't return to Kai until the death of Shingen in 1573, at the invitation of his grandson Katsuyori. At that time, Nobutora was in his 80s, though some reported that even as an old man he still managed to strike fear to people around him.³