Sanada

The Sanada clan (真田氏) is a powerful clan that was known to exist during the Warring States period. Many prominent generals during this time period praised their military strength and witty strategies, regarding them as prized warriors of the age. Though influential in politics and warfare, little is known regarding the clan's ancestry. They are speculated to be the combined Unno and Funno clans, families that had ties to the emperor during ancient Japan. Other sources indicate they are descendants of the Seiwa Genji, a warrior branch of the Minamoto clan.

They are popularly known for their six coin crest. It was believed that the spirits of warriors needed to pay a toll before boarding the river for the afterlife. These six coins were made to pay for one of the six paths in the Buddhist afterlife (Hell, Ravenous demon, Killing brutes, Asura, Man, or Heaven). According to legends, this particular crest was used whenever the clan entered battle. The emblem is usually painted in gold on red banners.

Clan Heads

 * 1) Yukitaka
 * 2) Nobutsuna
 * 3) Masayuki
 * 4) Nobuyuki
 * 5) Nobumasa
 * 6) Yukimichi
 * 7) Nobuhiro
 * 8) Nobuyasu
 * 9) Yukihiro
 * 10) Yukitaka (2nd)
 * 11) Yukitsura
 * 12) Yukinori
 * 13) Yukitami

Major Generals

 * Nobushige (Yukimura)

Sanada Ten Braves
The Sanada Ten Braves (真田十勇士, Sanada Juyushi) are ten famed men who are mentioned in a novel from the Edo period, Book of Sanada's Third Generation (真田三代記). The book coined the phrase "Sanada Trio", which refers to the generals listed in the infobox.

These warriors are depicted as strong heroes who loyally served Yukimura during the Winter Osaka Campaign. Though they are fictional, some historians and readers believe that they are based on real people. Their names and gender change in their many appearances, but the recognized ten are listed below.


 * 1) Sarutobi Sasuke - said to be based on Kouzuki Sasuke, one of the eleven ninja leaders from Iga.
 * 2) Kirigakure Saizo - most likely based on Kirigakure Kaemon, a ninja who is said to have been ordered by Yukimura to protect villagers during the Winter Osaka Campaign.
 * 3) Miyoshi Seikai Niyudo - based on Miyoshi Masayasu, one of Yukimura's vassals.
 * 4) Miyoshi Isa Niyudo - based on Miyoshi Masakatsu, Masayasu's younger brother who was actually a vassal for the Tokugawa army.
 * 5) Anayama Kosuke - the eldest son of Anayama Nobushige, a ninja who supposedly served Masayuki and Yukimura. He's alternatively known as Yasuharu, Takechiyo, or Undon.
 * 6) Yuri Kamanosuke - origin unknown, likely fictional. Also known as Yuri Motoyuki.
 * 7) Kakei Juzou - origin unknown, likely fictional. Also known as Kakei Jubei.
 * 8) Unno Rokuro - believed to be based on Unno Yukisada, a possible vassal of Yukimura. The Unno clan served Takeda Shingen and three generations of the Sanada family (starting with Yukimura's grandfather, Yukitaka).
 * 9) Nezu Jinpachi - origin unknown, likely fictional. Speculated to be Azai Nagamasa's son, Azai Iyori.
 * 10) Mochizuki Rokuro - origin unknown, likely fictional.

All ten warriors appear as bodyguards in Samurai Warriors 2.