Sanada Yukitaka

Sanada Yukitaka (1513-1574) was a warrior of Shinano Province (present-day Nagano Prefecture) celebrated as a brilliant strategist who served Takeda Shingen. Regarded as the founder of the Sanada clan's rise, he expanded his power base around the Ueda region. He supported Shingen through diplomatic and tactical stratagems—most notably the capture of Toishi Castle—and laid the groundwork for the renowned lineage that would produce Sanada Masayuki and Yukimura. Skilled at winning over enemies by stratagem, he has been remembered by later generations as a model of the Sengoku warrior who did not rely on force of arms alone. Together with his sons, he is also counted among the Twenty-Four Generals of Takeda.