Kenshin Uesugi

Kenshin Uesugi (上杉 謙信) is one of the starting characters in Samurai Warriors. He is the main warlord of the Uesugi clan. He is most famous for his devout worship of Bishamonten, the Buddhist god of war and his fierce rivalry with Shingen Takeda. Before the start of every battle he participates in, he prays to Bishamonten. As such, he is alternatively known as the Avatar of Bishamonten, Dragon of Echigo, and the God of War. He is a lover of wine (sake) and often is seen sharing a drink with his closest comrades. In the first game, he is 36 years old.

Samurai Warriors
In the series, Kenshin leads the Uesugi forces to battle his sacred bouts with his nemesis, Shingen. They often clash strategies with neither truly stumping the other. When he's not fighting Shingen, Kenshin is often seen disrupting Nobunaga's troops. He acts as a mentor for his adoptive son, Kagekatsu, and Kanetsugu Naoe.

In the second game, Kenshin saves his rival from the jaws of defeat at Nagashino and defeats Nobunaga. As with his upper path ending in the previous title, he spares his rival's life and names him a friend. His dream stage has them work together to conquer the rest of Japan. The last piece of their journey is Kyushu, where they face the Shimazu clan.

Warriors Orochi
In Warriors Orochi, Kenshin allies himself with Shingen to serve as a powerful resistance group against Orochi. After testing Nobunaga's worth, they assist him during his assault on Da Ji.

Kessen
Kenshin and his massive army appear as an optional foe in Kessen III. Toshiie and Katsuie were badly defeated in a skirmish and are requesting reinforcements from Nobunaga's main forces. Although none of Kenshin's forces will join Nobunaga's cause, several rare items can be found on this stage. If the players don't choose to fight him, Nobunaga will report that he dies due to illness.

Quotes

 * "A warrior lives for battle."
 * "Battle is ecstasy."
 * "You can't possibly drink wine from that cup all the time, Kenshin. You can tell me. Sometimes that's just water in that cup, right?"
 * "The power of Bishamonten gives me the strength to imbibe however much I desire. That, and I have a clockwork liver."
 * Magoichi and Kenshin; SW2 Empires


 * "Forty nine years of dreaming... Dreams of victory, dreams of death. Nobunaga, the battle is yours..."
 * Kenshin before he dies; Kessen III