Son of Masaki Michitsuna who served the Satomi Clan. His father and older brother died in the Satomi intra-clan battle in 1533; though Tokishige was also injured, he managed to escape with his life. He was known to be an excellent spearman.

Matsuda Norihide was eldest son and heir to Matsuda Morihide and the chief vassal with the highest position in the Houjou Clan.

The Matsuda Clan, which had successively served the Houjou Clan since the time of Houjou Souun, held a vast fief of 2798-kan under the Houjou. Norihide's mother was Houjou Tsunashige's younger sister. He served Ujiyasu as a shrewd internal administrator and also fought in several of his battles, including the invasion of Suruga and the Battle of Kounodai against the Satomi Clan.

After Ujiyasu's death Norihide served Ujimasa, and in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Siege of Odawara took the side of those in favor of resistance to the bitter end. However, he and his eldest son Kasahara Masataka were persuaded by Hori Hidemasa to switch sides, a fact discovered by his second son Matsuda Hideharu and reported to the Houjou. Houjou Ujinao placed Norihide under confinement and forced Masataka to commit suicide. It is said that this is the incident that resulted in the Houjou's surrender.

Hideyoshi, in condemnation of Norihide's disloyalty, had him commit ritual suicide. Hideharu followed Ujinao to Mt. Kouya and after his death served the Maeda Clan.

Also known as: Matsunaga Danjou Hisahide (松永弾正久秀), Matsunaga Soutei (松永霜台)

Initally a vassal of the Miyoshi Clan who served Miyoshi Nagayoshi as his private secretary, Hisahide was both a warrior and a tea master who would be regarded by history as a schemer and something of a villain.

Miyoshi Nagayoshi gave his daughter to Hisahide in marriage, but Hisahide turned against his master. He was rumored to have poisoned Nagayoshi's son and heir, Miyoshi Yoshioki, and Nagayoshi's three brothers died under mysterious circumstances between 1561-1564. In 1564 at Nagayoshi's death, all that stood between Hisahide and the Miyoshi domain was the young Miyoshi Yoshitsugu, whom Nagayoshi had seleted as heir, and his guardians the "Miyoshi Triumvirate", Miyoshi Nagayuki, Miyoshi Masayasu, and Iwanari Tomomichi.

Hisahide briefly joined forces with the Triumvirate against the Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiteru, who was forced to commit suicide. Thereafter he fought against the Miyoshi Clan and later submitted to Oda Nobunaga and served him for a few years after 1568.

In 1573, however, he was already conspiring against Nobunaga with Miyoshi Yoshitsugu—then turned back to Nobunaga and destroyed the remaining Miyoshi Clan. In 1577, he rebelled against Nobunaga again and in the end committed suicide at Shigisan Castle when besieged by Oda's army (though first smashing a priceless tea kettle, the "Hiragumo", which Nobunaga had coveted).

Also known as: Yoshihime, Youtokuin (陽徳院)

Only daughter of Tamura Kiyoaki who married Date Masamune in 1579 at the age of 12. An assassination attempt against Masamune caused him to suspect the Tamura clan, and he ordered the executions of Megohime's nurse and several of her attendants. Their marital relations became strained by these events, but were eventually mended, and Megohime gave Masamune four children, including his heir Date Tadamune.

She lived at the Date mansion in the court of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and acted as her husband's diplomat to the court. In 1636, at the death of Masamune, Megohime became a nun and took the Buddhist name of Youtokuin.

Minamoto no Yoritomo was a warlord of the late Heian and early Kamakura Periods, born as third son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, heir of the Minamoto (Seiwa Genji) clan. He founded and became the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate. He ruled from 1192 until 1199.

Nickname: Arajirou (荒次郎)

Eldest son of Miura Yoshiatsu and last head of the Sagami Miura Clan. His father gave him Arai Castle (also known as Misaki Castle) in Sagami and handed the position of clan head to him in 1510. He was known as the 'brave warrior with the strength of 85' and fought against Houjou Souun, but he lost Okazaki Castle and Sumiyoshi Castle, and went to ground in the Miura Peninsula. He and his father held Arai Castle in a three-year siege, but the castle fell at last, and he witnessed Yoshiatsu's seppuku.

Yoshioki then charged out into the midst of his enemies and was killed, thus ending the Miura line. With his death the Houjou Clan achieved subjugation of Sagami.

Note: English sites seem to universally give Miura Yoshioki's name as Miura Yoshimoto, which the Japanese Wikipedia lists as a possible reading. It officially gives the reading as "Yoshioki", which is also used by Mirage.

Also known as: Takezou Shinmen, Bennosuke Miyamoto, Niten Douraku

One of the most famous samurai in Japanese history, who became legendary for his swordsmanship. He fought and won over 60 duels, one of which was with the prominent swordsman Kojirou Sasaki at the age of 28. Kojirou was Musashi's long-time rival and considered his most challenging opponent. A duel was arranged between them for April 13, 1612, to which Musashi arrived more than three hours late in order to psychologically unbalance his opponent. When he finally showed up, Kojirou famously said, "I've been waiting for you, Musashi!" Musashi won the duel with an oversized wooden sword.

Daimyo of Matsumoto-han in Shinano during the Kasuke Uprising.

A daimyo of Yamagata-han in the province of Dewa who fought for both Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. He fought Uesugi Kagekatsu as well as in the battle of Sekigahara in 1600 for Tokugawa alongside Date Masamune. His domain was expanded to 520,000 koku for his loyal service.

His son Mogami Iechika succeeded him upon his death of illness.

Mogami Yoshiyasu was the eldest son and heir of Mogami Yoshiaki, but the two were not on good terms. In 1611, while en route from house arrest to Mount Kouya, he was attacked and badly wounded. He killed himself, crying "Damn you, cruel Father!"

Born as the second son of Mori Yoshinari, Nagayoshi became head of the Mori clan upon the deaths of both his father and older brother in battle in 1570. He served Oda Nobunaga and participated in the attack and annihilation of the Takeda clan in 1582, capturing Iida Castle and Takatoo Castle in hard-fought battles. He was awarded a 20,000-koku fief of 4 districts of Kawanakajima in Shinano as well as Uozu Castle.

In June of that year, the situation in Shinano became unstable upon Nobunaga's death, and Nagayoshi fled back to his former stronghold, Kaneyama Castle in Mino. He died fighting against Tokugawa's forces in 1584 (it was said that he died instantly from a rifle bullet between the eyes). His younger brother Mori Tadamasa became the next clan head.

Mori Yoshinari started out as a vassal of the Saitou Clan before going to Oda Nobunaga around 1555. He was killed fighting against the Asai and Asakura clans. His sons, Mori Ranmaru and Mori Nagayoshi, also served Nobunaga.

Also known as: Yamaura Kunikiyo (山浦国清), Yamaura Kagekuni (山浦景国)

Eldest son of Murakami Yoshikiyo, he and his father sought sanctuary with Uesugi Kenshin in 1553 from Takeda Shingen and became his vassals. He later became the head of the Yamaura-Uesugi family and changed his name to Yamaura Kunikiyo. He fought in many of Kenshin's wars, including the Battles of Kawanakajima.

He supported Uesugi Kagekatsu in the Otate no Ran after Kenshin's death. Kagekatsu bestowed the Kage (景) character on him for his merits in the war, whereupon he changed his name to Yamaura Kagekuni.

In 1582 he became the master of Kaidu Castle and recovered his father's old fief. In 1590, he served in the vanguard of the Uesugi army in the attack against Odawara by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He also fought in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, but his circumstances after that are unknown.

Narimori became head of his clan at 17 after the death of his father Nagano Narimasa's death in 1561 and his older brother Yoshinari death during the Siege of Kawagoe Castle in 1564. Like his father, he was called a an exceedingly brave warrior.

His father managed to repel several invasions from the Takeda Clan, but after his death Takeda Shingen gathered 20,000 troops for a further assault in 1566. Narimori fought a defensive battle from his main castle of Minowa-jou, but was unable to hold out. He committed suicide along with his entire clan.

Adopted son of Nagao Fujikage and vassal of Uesugi Kenshin who supported Uesugi Kagetora in the Otate no Ran after Kenshin's death. His territory was reduced after the war. In rebellion, he later defected to Oda Nobunaga.

A daimyo of Echigo, who became the head of his clan when his father was killed in battle in 1506. Father of Nagao Harukage and Uesugi Kenshin. Nagao Tamekage was a man of cunning who did not hesitate to strike at his lord's clan, the Uesugi, to gain control of Echigo, and was a noted warrior of many battles.

Also known as: Nori (ノリ)

Norihiro Nakamura is a professional Japanese baseball player who has played with the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes, Los Angeles Dodgers, Orix Buffaloes, and Touhoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. He is a power hitter who currently (2009) plays 3rd base for the Golden Eagles.

Also known as: Higuchi Kanetsugu (樋口兼続)

Born the eldest son of Higuchi Kanetoyo, Kanetsugu was a chief retainer of Uesugi Kenshin who supported Uesugi Kagekatsu in the Otate no Ran after Kenshin's death. When Naoe Nobutsuna was killed over the question of reward after the intra-house war without an heir, ending the noble Naoe family line, Uesugi Kagekatsu ordered Kanetsugu (22) to marry Naoe Nobutsuna's widow, Osen-no-Kata (25), and take the Naoe family name. The two got along so well that Kanetsugu never took a concubine.

Kanetsugu was famously known to wear the character '愛' (love) on his helmet.

Also known as: Naoe Kagetsuna (直江景綱), Naoe Masatsuna (直江政綱)
Title: Yamato no Kami (大和守)

Historically: A trust-worthy and courageous vassal of Uesugi Kenshin who served as one of his military commanders. Also served Kenshin's father (Nagao Tamekage) and older brother (Nagao Harukage) and was an excellent adminstrator. Adopted Naoe Nobutsuna when he married Sanetuna's daughter Osen-no-Kata, since he had no sons of his own.

One of the ringleaders of the Kasuke Uprising executed with Tada Kasuke, from Nire Village. His daughter Jun was also executed.

Obu Toramasa, who according to some accounts was a descendant of Minamoto no Yoshiie, was a chief vassal of the Takeda Clan who first served Takeda Nobutora, then his son Takeda Shingen, and later became tutor to Shingen's eldest son Yoshinobu. He was one of Shingen's Twenty-Four Generals and was nicknamed "The Wild Tiger of Kai." However, he was implicated in a plot to rebel against Shingen by Yoshinobu and was forced to commit suicide at the age of 62.

An actor from Kanagawa, Japan who has appeared in around 10 movie roles and 15 television roles, including narration for Tokyo Broadcasting System's ongoing documentary series, World Heritage from 1996-2001.

Father of Oniwa Tsunamoto who served three generations of the Date Clan. He died at the Battle of Hitotoribashi, in which he was a commander despite his advanced age.

Titles: Harima no Kami

At first a vassal of the Sannai-Uesugi Clan, he became a vassal of the Nagao Clan when he accompanied Uesugi Norimasa into Echigo to seek the assistance of Nagao Kagetora (Uesugi Kenshin).

He took the side of Uesugi Kagekatsu during the Otate no Ran. After the war, he became one of the three magistrates of the Aizu along with Yasuda Yoshimoto and Iwai Nobuyoshi and was the chamberlain of Hobara Castle. His forte was in the maintainence of highways and other public works construction.