Sanada clan
The Sanada clan (真田氏, Sanada-shi) is a Japanese clan. The Sanada were long associated with Matsushiro Domain in modern-day Nagano Prefecture.
History
The Sanada clan claimed descent from the Seiwa Genji. Historically, the clans banner was established by Unno Yukiyoshi in the early 16th century. He emblazened the Rokumonsen on his banner. The Sanada were key vassals in the Takeda war machine contributing 3 Sanada's to Takeda's famous war generals, which were, Sanada Yukitaka(father), Sanada Nobutsuna(eldest son), Sanada Masayuki(second son), along with their younger brother Sanada Masateru.
Sanada Yukitaka established the clan and its name at the beginning of the 16th century.
In the Sengoku period, Sanada Masayuki (1545-1609) led the clan. His second son Sanada Yukimura (1567-1615) served Toyotomi Hideyoshi starting in 1587.
At the Battle of Sekigahara Nobushige(Yukimura) fought against Tokugawa Hidetada at Ueda Castle successfully delaying him from reaching Sekigahara with 38,000 reinforcements. He opposed the Tokugawa again at the Battle of Osaka where he died.
