Usami Sadamitsu

Usami Sadamitsu was a warrior of Echigo Province who served Uesugi Kenshin (Nagao Kagetora). A birth year of 1489 is proposed but uncertain; he is said to have died in Eiroku 7 (1564).

Lords served

He was at first with Nagao Tamekage, then moved to the side of Kamijō Sadanori. The lords he served are given in order as Kamijō Sadanori, Nagao Harukage, and Nagao Kagetora (Uesugi Kenshin). In the Battle of Sanbunichihara in the 4th month of Tenbun 5 (1536), the Usami and Kakizaki forces are said to have been defeated by Tamekage's army.

Under Kagetora

After Kagetora succeeded to the headship in 1548, he followed Kagetora and held a stronghold facing Nagao Masakage of the Ueda Nagao. A letter from 1549 describes pressure from Masakage's side and a shortage of troops and morale in the household. He also appealed to Kagetora's circle for rewards that were slight. He briefly broke with Kagetora but later returned.

Later career and assessment

When the conflict between Kagetora and Masakage subsided, his name disappears from reliable sources. The Usami appear to have declined, as Kagetora did not give them weight. War tales depict him as Kenshin's military strategist, but reliable sources do not confirm that he held this role.