Aya-Gozen
Lady Aya (綾御前, Aya-Gozen, 1524 – March 10, 1609) was the half-sister of Japanese warlord Uesugi Kenshin. She was the mother of Uesugi Kagekatsu and the first wife of Nagao Masakage.[1]
Aya-Gozen | |
|---|---|
 Aya-Gozen with her husband Nagao Masakage | |
| Born | 1524 |
| Died | March 10, 1609 (aged 84–85) |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Known for | Half-sister of Japanese warlord Uesugi Kenshin |
She was the second daughter of Nagao Tamekage. Her mother is believed to have later born Uesugi Kenshin. The term -gozen is an honorific suffix; her given name was Aya (綾). She had two sons and two daughters by Nagao Masakage: their oldest son in childhood, so their second son, Kagekatsu, was adopted into the Uesugi clan, as reportedly were their daughters. Aya-Gozen moved to Kasugayama Castle in 1564. According to legend, she recommended Naoe Kanetsugu to serve Kagekatsu.
After Kenshin's death, a dispute arose between Kagekatsu and Kagetora; Aya-Gozen tried to protect Kagetora's heir after the death of her eldest daughter (Kagetora's wife). She later returned to Kikuhime, died at Yonezawa Castle, and was enshrined at Risen-ji. Her Buddhist name was Sentō-In (仙洞院).