Takeda Shingen, The Tiger of Kai

December 1, 1521 – May 13, 1573

Takeda Shingen was born 502 years ago today, December 1, 1521.

One of Japan's greatest tactical geniuses, Takeda Shingen was an innovator who changed Japan through clever economic, military and social development, including laws, taxes and public works.

Known as Taro and Katsuchiyo during childhood, and following his Genpuku, (coming of age ceremony) by the name of Harunobu, he assumed the Buddhist name of Shingen (a reading of the inverted kanji for Harunobu) in early 1559. As a descendant of the noble Minamoto clan, he is remembered as Minomoto no Harunobu in official Imperial court records.