Historical Snow Country - Kanetsugu Naoe

Snow Country has plenty of historical sights and many of them are linked back to the same characters. One of the most well known Kanetsugu Naoe who was a trusted commander of Kenshin Uesugi, the local ruler of this area towards the end of the sixteenth century. This was brought very much to the forefront recently when he became the subject for the NHK drama "Tenchijin" in 2009.

He was born around Sakado in Muikamachi and became well known for loyalty, dignity and good judgement. He studied at the Untoan Temple at the base of Sakado and throughout his life valued the importance of education and culture, rising to be a trusted commander for the Uesugi clan.

As you travel around Snow Country you are sure to see references to this period and to Kanetsugu Naoe. Tenchijin and the character for love are also widely used in the area. The Sakado is his old stomping ground and has plenty of sites he would have know himself. Untoan too is well worth a visit.