Houjou Ujitaka was the son of Houjou Tsunashige and grandson of Houjou Gen'an. He was the master of Kuno Castle in Sagami.

In January 1570, when Ujitaka's father died, Houjou Gen'an adopted him as heir in place of Uesugi Kagetora, who was adopted into the Uesugi Clan by Uesugi Kenshin.

After the destruction of the Houjou Clan, Ujitaka followed Houjou Ujinao to Mt. Kouya. He later served the Ikoma Clan of Takamatsu-han and became a monk, though he resided in Kyoto.

Also known as: Ise Ujitsuna (伊勢氏綱)

Houjou Ujitsuna was born eldest son and heir of Ise Moritoki. He became the second head of the Later Houjou Clan in 1518 upon the retirement of his father, though it is possible that his father had transferred the rule of the clan to him long before or ruled in concert with him.

Born Ise Ujitsuna, he changed his family name to Houjou after the line of regents of the Kamakura shogunate and also adopted their family crest of three fish scales (three triangles forming a large triangle) in 1523. He posthumously gave his father the name of Houjou Souun.

In Souun's time, the Houjou main castle was Nirayama Castle in Izu Province. Ujitsuna made Odawara Castle in Sagami his stronghold.

As clan head, Ujitsuna greatly expanded the Houjou Clan's influence in the Kantou. He took both Edo Castle (1524) and Kawagoe Castle (1537) in Musashi from the Uesugi Clan. He initially formed an alliance with Imagawa Ujichika in Suruga, but it broke apart upon an alliance between Suruga and Kai.

Ujitsuna collapsed and died of illness in the summer of 1541 during the long war with Suruga that followed. He was succeeded by his eldest son and heir, Houjou Ujiyasu.

Houjunin was daughter of Houjou Ujitsuna and second wife of Ashikaga Haruuji. Her son Ashikaga Yoshiuji succeeded his father as Koga Kubou.

Also known as: 長沢義風, 三条道如斎, 五十公野道如斎信宗

Master of Ijimino Castle, he married the younger sister of Shibata Nagaatsu and Shibata Shigeie. He was originally the page of Nagasawa Mitsukuni but came to the attention of Uesugi Kenshin in the capture of Noto and served the Uesugi Clan thereafter as the town magistrate for Sanjou in Echigo.

Nobumune supported Uesugi Kagekatsu in the Otate no Ran after Kenshin's death. Along with his brothers-in-law of the Shibata Clan, he assaulted Kaji Hidetsuna's Kaji Castle and Kanamari Chikatsuna's Sanjou Castle. At Shibata Nagaatsu's sudden death, Shibata Shigeie became the head of the Shibata Clan, and Nobumune became the head of the Ijimino Clan.

He supported his brother-in-law in the Shibata Shigeie Rebellion and turned against Kagekatsu. In October of 1587, during the siege of Ijimino Castle by Naoe Kanetsugu and Fujita Nobuyoshi, etc., he was betrayed by his vassals. The castle fell, and Nobumune was killed.

Titles: Mikawa no Kami, Suruga no Kami

Historically: The warlord of Suruga who invaded the Houjou of Sagami and the Oda of Owari. Later, allied with the Houjou and Takeda clans, he brought about the golden days of the Imagawa clan. In 1560 he marched on Kyoto with 27,000 men but was defeated by Oda Nobunaga in the battle of Okehazama and killed. The Imagawa clan fell apart and lost all of its holdings to the Takeda and Tokugawa clans.

Also known as: Inaba Masashige

A vassal of Tokugawa Ieyasu who also served Toyotomi Hideyoshi like his father, Inaba Ittetsu.

Historically: In the Sengoku era, he served three generations of the Nagao Clan: Nagao Tamekage, Nagao Harukage, and Uesugi Kenshin and was master of Hirabayashi Castle. He was one of Kenshin's most respected generals and Kenshin's military chief of staff. He was killed at the siege of the rebellious Honjou Shigenaga's castle.

In Mirage of Blaze: One of the Yasha-shuu under Uesugi Kagetora's command. He is the only one out of the five Yasha-shuu who survives the battle with Oda Nobunaga thirty years before the start of Volume 1, and carries on the mission alone while the others are reborn. He is a baby when Naoe finds Kagetora again thirty years later, having only performed kanshou two years previously.

Also known as: 采女

Original a vassal of Kitajou Takahiro, he besieged Kitajou Castle during the Otate no Ran and later served Uesugi Kagekatsu directly. He committed suicide along with twelve other Uesugi commanders in the Battle of Uozu Castle.

Also known as: Puncho Itou

Itou Kazuo was a Japanese professional baseball player in the Pacific League. During downtimes his hobby was to tour all the Major League ballparks in the US, where he picked up the "Puncho" nickname because he was thought to look like a Mexican. He later became a baseball commenter who helped build close ties between the Japanese and American baseball leagues.

Head of the Iwaki Clan and a military commander of the Sengoku era, son of Iwaki Chikataka. His father became a vassal of the Satake Clan to inherit the position of clan head, but in compensation the third son of Satake Yoshishige was adopted into the clan as Iwaki Sadataka and heir to the clan.

In 1590, Tsunetaka participated in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's campaign against Odawara Castle and was given land as a reward, but died soon after.

Also known as: Kai Chikanao (甲斐 親直)

Son of Kai Chikanobu and chief retainer of Aso Koretoyo, chief priest of Higo Province's Aso Shrine and head of the Aso Clan. His excellent military strategies and diplomatic maneuvering helped the Aso Clan retain its territories after one ally, the Ootomo Clan, suffered a catastrophic defeat to the Shimazu Clan in the Battle of Mimi-kawa and another, the Sagara Clan surrendered to Shimazu and was ordered to attack its former ally.

He died of illness in 1583 at the age of 75 (some said he was poisoned by his granddaughter, daughter of his heir Kai Chikahide). Souun's loyalty to the Aso Clan was such that he mercilessly purged any who tried to betray his family or disobey his family's policies, including killing his second and third sons and exiling his fourth for approaching Itou Yoshisuke of Hyuuga. In response Chikahide tried to assassinate his father, but his attempt was exposed. He only escaped death thanks to the pleas of Souun's vassals and because he was heir. Chikahide's wife's father had also been killed by Souun for disloyalty, and she was so terrified that she allegedly ordered her daughter to poison Souun.

Son of Kaji Harutsuna, vassal of the Uesugi Clan. His mother was Uesugi Kenshin's younger sister. Master of Kaji Castle.

He fought several times in the Battles of Kawanakajima and distinguished himself in battle. He supported Uesugi Kagetora in the Otate no Ran after Kenshin's death. He surrendered to Kagekatsu's side when Shibata Shigeie and Ijimino Nobumune attacked Kaji Castle, but later fought against Kagekatsu once more when Shibata Shigeie rebelled against Kagekatsu in 1581. Before Kagekatsu attacked Shibata Castle, he first attacked Kaji Castle, and Hidetsuna died in battle in 1587.

Title: Izumi no Kami

Historically: A general of Uesugi Kenshin who also served Kenshin's father, Nagao Tamekage. His son, Kakizaki Haruie, was sent to Odawara Castle as hostage to the Houjou Clan when an alliance was formed between the Uesugi and Houjou Clans. He was famous for his bold assault strategies in battle. However, he was accused of plotting treason against Kenshin with Oda Nobunaga and was made to commit suicide. (Though there are also theories that he died a natural death).

Also known as: Kojirou (小次郎)

Vassal of the Uesugi Clan who mainly served as a magistrate under Uesugi Kenshin in Kyoto. He acted as negotiator for the Uesugi Clan in the Imperial Court and Shogunate in such matters as trade in commodities particular to Echigo.

He became master of Sanjou Castle after the death of Yamayoshi Toyomori. In the Otate no Ran, he apparently joined Uesugi Kagekatsu's side at first along with Yamayoshi Kagenaga, but later fought on Uesugi Kagetora's side with Honjou Hidetsuna. After Kagetora's death, he continued to oppose Kagekatsu, but in the end was betrayed and killed by one of his vassals within Sanjou Castle who was in collusion with Yamayoshi Kagenaga.

Kasahara Masataka was a vassal of the Houjou Clan and master of Izu-Tokura Castle. His father was Matsuda Norihide, and he was adopted into the Kasahara Clan. He served Takeda Katsuyori for a while, but after the fall of the Takeda Clan returned to the Houjou. When his younger brother Matsuda Hideharu discovered him and his father passing information to the Toyotomi side during the Siege of Odawara, Masataka was forced to commit suicide.

Also known as: Katakura Kojuurou Kagetsuna (片倉小十郎景綱)

A military commander of the Sengoku era and hereditary vassal of the Date Clan. The Katakura family traditionally took the nickname of 'Kojuurou', so Katakura Kagetsuna is better known as Katakura Kojuurou.

Kojuurou first served Date Masamune's father, Date Terumune, as a junior page, then became Date Masamune's attendant in 1575. He was later appointed a strategist, and participated in most of Masamune's important wars where he rescued the Date Clan from many tight spots. His wisdom was extolled by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and his name was a byword for loyalty. (He was called 'Katakura Kagetsuna the Wise', and he, along with 'Date Shigezane the Brave', were named 'the twin jewels of the Date'.)

Kojuurou died in 1615 of illness.

Title: Houki no Kami

Vassal of the Echigo Uesugi Clan, later vassal of the Sagami Houjou Clan. He served Uesugi Kenshin along with his nephew Kawada Nagachika and participated in negotiations for the Uesugi-Sagami Alliance in 1569.

In the Otate no Ran after Kenshin's death, he declared his support for Uesugi Kagetora and took Numata Castle from Ueno Ienari of the Kagekatsu faction. He joined forces with Kitajou Takahiro to attack Sakato Castle, but retreated when Kagetora was defeated in Echigo. In order to aid the Houjou advance into eastern Kouzuke, which they were contesting with Takeda after Takeda joined Kagekatsu, Shigechika headed for Odawara.

After the destruction of the Houjou Clan, Shigechika served the Tokugawa Clan.

Also known as: Hongan-ji Kennyo, Hongan-ji Kousa

Chief Abbot of Ishiyama Hongan Temple, fortress of the Ikkou-ikki, Kennyo became the 11th head of the Hongan Temple in Kyoto upon his father Shounyo's death in 1554, when he was 12. Kennyo was renowned as a strategist who engineered many alliances in the Sengoku Era and made Ishiyama Hongan Temple virtually unbreachable. His wife was the third daughter of Sanjou Kinyori (sister to Takeda Shingen's wife, Sanjou-no-kata), and they got along very well.

Kennyo aided Shingen by persuading the Ikkou sectarians in Kaga Province to rise up against Uesugi Kenshin. He allied himself with Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki and created an anti-Oda alliance with the Takeda, Asakura, Azai, and Mouri clans. The alliance failed upon Takeda Shingen's death in 1573.

In 1570, Oda Nobunaga laid siege to Ishiyama Hongan Temple, a siege that would last 10 years, the longest in Japan's history. Kennyo left the temple to attempt to raise reinforcements, and his son surrendered to Nobunaga by request of the Emperor.

Kennyo later enlisted the help of Ikkou sectarians for Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who granted Kennyo a new Hongan Temple (now known as Nishi-Hongan Temple) in 1589.

Also known as: 金八 (Kinpachi), Onhachi, Buddhist Priest Kihachi, Kihachifushi, 走建 (Hashiritakeru, Hasetakeru)

Kihachi is mentioned in the Asahi Daijin (1189) at Takachiho Shrine.

There are many legends about Kihachi, including:

- He served Takeiwatatsu-no-mikoto and ran to retrieve his arrows during the god's target practice. He retrieved 99 arrows, but grew so tired that he retrieved the 100th with his foot. Displeased, Takeiwatatsu-no-mikoto cut off his head. The head rose into the sky and brought frost on the land until it was warmed by a bonfire.

- Onihachi lived in Chichi Cave at the foot of Mt. Nijou. He forcibly took Unome-hime (also known as Asara-hime), daughter of Inari-hime, as his wife and hid her.

- (From the Miyazaki Legends) Similar to the Takeiwatatsu-no-mikoto story, he angered Aso-myoujin of Higo by picking an arrow up with his foot. His wife Asara-hime, an incarnation of a dragon from Mitai, rebelled against him at the behest of Mikeirino-no-mikoto (Mikenu-no-mikoto), whereupon Tabe Shigetaka and others subjugated him, cut him into pieces, and buried the parts in three separate places.

- (From Takachiho) He was a demon who lived in a cave until he was killed by a son of Emperor Jimmu, who cut him to pieces and buried him in three separate places.

- (Also from Takachiho) His real name was Hashiritakeru, a giant spider. He ruled Takachiho, harried the people, and violently carried off beautiful women. He was exterminated by Mikeirino-no-mikoto, his body cut up, and buried in several places. He was described as a god who could make frost at will.

A commander of the Sengoku who served the Nagao Clan, including Nagao Tamekage, Nagao Harukage, and Uesugi Kenshin. He was extolled as the "warrior whose physique is without peer" because of his handsome features. His military fame was widespread among the Uesugi army, which worried even Kenshin. Because of these facts, there was particular antagonism between him and Yasuda Kagemoto, whose clan, like the Kitajou Clan, was descended from the Mouri Clan.

In 1574 he retired to Oogo Castle in favor of his eldest son and heir Kitajou Kagehiro. He supported Uesugi Kagetora along with his son in the Otate no Ran after Kenshin's death. When Kitajou Castle fell and his son died during battle, he ran to Takeda Katsuyori, by whose intercession he returned to serve Kagekatsu according to one theory. (There are also theories that he served the Later Houjou Clan or died without being able to return to Echigo.)

Title: Dewa-no-Kami

Kondou Tsunahide became a vassal of Houjou Ujiteru in 1581 and was active in the south-west region of Musashi. After Ujiteru took Shimotsuke, Tsunahide was tasked with the governance of Enomoto, one of its territories, and given Enomoto Castle. He was entrusted with great authority, and was also involved in diplomatic negotiations with the Katakura of the Date Clan.

During the Siege of Odawara, he died in battle at Hachiouji Castle.

Also called: Kousaka Danjou Masanobu (高坂弾正昌信), Kousaka Danjou Nosuke Masanobu (高坂弾正忠昌信), Kasuga Toratsuna (春日虎綱), Kasuga Gensuke (春日源助)
Title: Danjou Nosuke/Faithful True-Shot (弾正忠)

Historically: One of Takeda Shingen's most loyal retainers who was one of his Twenty-Four Generals and played a key part in the fourth battle of Kawanakajima.

Kousaka was born in Kai to a wealthy farmer, Kasuga Ookuma (?) (春日大隈). His father died when he was 16, and he lost a lawsuit against his elder sister's husband for ownership of his father's lands. He then enrolled in the service of Takeda Shingen.

Kousaka first served as a messenger for Shingen. He distinguished himself in battle, and rose swiftly through the ranks of Shingen's trusted retainers. He participated in most of Shingen's battles. He did not hesitate to retreat when required, which earned him the nickname of "Escaping Danjou". However, he was calm and logical in the midst of battle, and was perhaps the best of Shingen's generals.

There are anecdotes that in his younger days, Kousaka and Shingen were engaged in a shudo relationship, and Kousaka rose so quickly in Shingen's service because of Shingen's affection.

After Shingen's death in 1573, Kousaka continued on to serve Takeda Katsuyori. He sought an alliance between the Takeda clan and their old enemy, the Uesugi clan, in order to unite against the threat of Oda Nobunaga.

Kousaka died in 1578 of illness at the age of 52. He was succeeded by his second son, Kousaka Masamoto (高坂昌元), his first son, Kousaka Masazumi (高坂昌澄) having died in the Battle of Nagashino in 1575.

In Mirage of Blaze: A kanshousha who, along with Sanjou-no-Kata, breaks the barrier over Takeda Shingen's tomb, the Maenduka, in an attempt to resurrect Shingen by using Narita Yuzuru as a vessel for his spirit.

According to Haruie, Kousaka has a high level of spiritual sensing ability (reisa), such that he is able to recognize someone he had met before even after their soul has undergone purification. He warns Naoe that Narita Yuzuru's existence is a threat to the Roku Dou Sekai.

A vassal of the Uesugi Clan, master of Kurokawa Castle. He fought in the Battles of Kawanakajima under Uesugi Kenshin.

He supported [{Uesugi Kagetora]] in the Otate no Ran after Kenshin's death and mounted an offensive against Tossaka Castle belonging to the Chuujou Clan on Kagekatsu's side, but was attacked in his turn. Tossaka Castle later fell and was plundered, but Kiyozane returned to the Uesugi Clan through mediation from Date Terumune.

Also known as: Koubou Daishi (弘法大師), or High Priest Koubou

A Japanese monk, scholar, poet, calligrapher, and artist who founded the Shingon school of Buddhism. He is credited with inventing kana (which includes hiragana and katakana) of the Japanese writing system as well as introducing homosexuality (or at least shudo) to Japan.

He studied in China from 804 to 806, where he was initiated into the Esoteric Buddhism tradition. He returned to Japan to establish the Shingon school, which would become the dominant Buddhism sect for the next 300 years. His teachings and his many writings, such as Attaining Enlightenment in This Very Existence, The Meaning of Sound, Word, Reality, The Ten Stages of the Development of Mind, and Ten Abiding Stages, synthesized Buddhism into a coherent whole, and displaced Confucianism with Buddhism as the official Japanese state ideology.

He was contemporaneous with Shaichou, the founder of the Tendai school.