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The Takeda Clan (武田氏, Takeda-shi) was a Japanese clan active from the late Heian period until the late 16th century. The clan was historically based in Kai Province in present-day Yamanashi Prefecture. The clan was known for their honorable actions under the rule of Takeda Shingen, one of the most famous rulers of the period.

The Takeda clan was a samurai family that existed during the time from the end of the Heian to the Sengoku period (Japan).

The Takeda are descendants of Emperor Seiwa (858–876) and are a branch of the Minamoto clan (Seiwa Genji), by Minamoto no Yoshimitsu (1056–1127), son of the Chinjufu-shōgun Minamoto no Yoriyoshi (988-1075), and brother to the famous Minamoto no Yoshiie (1039–1106). Minamoto no Yoshikiyo (1075–1149), son of Yoshimitsu, was the first to take the name of Takeda.

The most famous Takeda: Takeda Shingen 
Takeda Harunobu (1521 – 1573) succeeded his father Nobutora in 1540 and became shugo lord of Kai Province in present-day Yamanashi Prefecture. In this period the Takeda began to quickly expand from their base in Kai Province. In 1559, Harunobu changed his name to the better-known Takeda Shingen. He faced the Hōjō clan a number of times, and most of his expansion was to the north, where he fought his most famous battles against Uesugi Kenshin. This series of regional skirmishes is known as the Battles of Kawanakajima. The battles began in 1553, and the best known and severest among them was fought on September 10, 1561.

Shingen is famous for his tactical genius, and innovations, though some historians have argued that his tactics were not particularly impressive nor revolutionary. Nevertheless, Shingen is perhaps most famous for his use of the cavalry charge at the Battle of Mikatagahara. The strength of Shingens new tactic became so famous that the Takeda army came to be known as the kiba gundan (騎馬軍団), or mounted army. Up until the mid-16th century and Shingens rise to power, mounted samurai were primarily archers. There was already a trend at this time towards larger infantry-based armies, including a large number of foot archers. In order to defeat these missile troops, Shingen transformed his samurai from archers to lancers.

Five major branches of the Takeda clan were established across Japan along with other smaller branches. Due to the establishment of cadet branches, the main Takeda clan in Kai Province is also referred to as the Kai Takeda clan. - Aki, Wakasa, Kazusa, Inaba, Hitachi

The Kōshū Hatto, composed at some point in the 15th century, is the code of law of the Takeda family, while the Kōyō Gunkan, composed largely by Kōsaka Masanobu in the mid-16th century, is an epic poem recording the familys history and Shingens innovations in military tactics.

Important Takeda Members:
Takeda Nobutora – Shingens father
Takeda Shingen – one of Japans most famous warlords, Shingen expanded his domains greatly, and became one of the major powers in the country for a time. Known for his massive sense of honor in battle.
Takeda Katsuyori – Shingens son, Katsuyori commanded his fathers armies after his death, and saw the fall of the Takeda family.
Takeda Nobushige – Shingens younger brother, held their fathers favour to be heir of the clan, continued to support his older brother throughout his life, he also wrote the Kyūjūkyū Kakun, a set of 99 short rules for Takeda house members.
Takeda Sōkaku (1859–1943) was the restorer of the Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu school of jūjutsu, and the first to teach the art outside of the Takeda family.

Takeda is a playable faction in Shogun: Total War and Shogun 2.

CLAN SIGN:


TAKEDA SHINGEN:




TAKEDA SHINGEN GRAVE: