Naoe Kanetsugu
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Naoe Kanetsugu (直江兼続?) (1560-January 23, 1620) was a Japanese samurai of the 15th-16th centuries. The eldest son of Higuchi Kanetoyo, Kanetsugu was famed for his service to two generations of the Uesugi daimyo, Uesugi Kenshin and his son Kagekatsu.[1] Kanetsugu's brother, Ōkuni Sanehiro, was also a famous Uesugi retainer.
Kanetsugu was born in Sakato Castle in Echigo Province. His father, Higuchi Sōemon Kanetoyo, was a senior retainer of Nagao Masakage, the lord of Sakato Castle.[2] When Kanetsugu came of age, he quickly distinguished himself as an outstanding commander, and was involved in much of the fighting that took place on the Sea of Japan coast with Sassa Narimasa and Maeda Toshiie. Kanetsugu was also responsible for the actions of the Uesugi clan against the allies of the Tokugawa during the leadup to the climactic Battle of Sekigahara. Following the Uesugi clan's surrender to the Tokugawa, in 1601, their holdings were transferred to the much smaller fief of Yonezawa, with an income of 60,000 koku. Kanetsugu was granted a stipend shortly before he retired.
Kanetsugu was also known by his court title, Yamashiro no Kami (山城守).[3]
[edit] In Fiction
Naoe was featured as a playable character in the second Samurai Warriors (video game). His weapons are paper charms and an ornate, straight-bladed sword.
