Tatsuomi Uesugi

* Anime
* Manga

## **[Image Gallery]**

**Tatsuomi Uesugi** (上 (うえ) 杉 (すぎ)  竜 (たつ) 臣 (おみ) , *Uesugi Tatsuomi*) is one of the Five Grand Generals of Hi no Moto and the captain of the Uesugi Bushi. He also leads the Uesugi Alliance during the fight against the green Kishin, Yamata no Orochi.

## Appearance

Uesugi is a tall, muscular man with long white dreadlocks that goes past his waist. He has stern, piercing eyes, however, he wears a patch on the left one because he had lost it. Uesugi has a huge dragon tattoo, which covers his back and also reaches his chest.

Casually he wears a claret kimono and matching hakama pants, which have the Uesugi emblem. His battle garment consists of traditional samurai armour and a surcoat (*jinbaori*), that has the Uesugi Bushi's distinctive dragon pattern.

## Personality

Uesugi is one of the Five Grand Generals, like Naotora. He has a strict personality with a ferocious tone like a drinker, but he is the only man who is serious and holds the fate of Hi no Moto. He is a childhood friend of Naotora and his friends at Five Grand Generals.

Tatsuomi values blood ties within bushi more than anything. He is merciless with anyone who is not part of the Uesugi Alliance, and when he heard that Musashi and his friends wanted to see him he ordered their assasination inmediatly. Despite this trates, he treats and values every member of the alliance as a member of his family.

He often reminds himself that every bushi that will go to the field ground has a family and people who will await their return, this also motivates him in order to fight against kijin and led the Uesugi Alliance.

## Synopsis

### Awaji Island Recapture Operation Arc

At Harima port, Tatsuomi recalls receiving report from Kanetatsu that the Obsidian Goddess was spotted at the great eastern mine of Mimasaka.

When Naotora Takeda arrives, Kanetatsu takes him to Tatsuomi. Kanetatsu mentions that there were three outsiders and Tatsuomi orders to kill them, as unity of blood is everything for them. Naotora explains they are his subordinates, his older brother's second cousins. Tatsuomi then agrees to spare them. Naotora wonders why he called for him as he doesn't work for him. Tatsuomi believes that Naotora will want to help him slaying the Kishin of Awaji.

Later, Tatsuomi is on the walls of Shiryu Castle, when Musashi climbs up. Musashi is impressed by the castle and the Bushi and Tatsuomi explains he comes here before a battle to remind himself that the Bushi have families that wait them and he wishes to avoid the pointless deaths of the young Bushi. Kanetatsu arrives and reveals that Musashi is an outsider, which changes Tatsuomi's mood. As Musashi had trespassed into the castle, this would normally means death, but since he is with Naotora, Tatsuomi orders to throw him into the barracks.

Kuroko Usami, the Uesugi Band tactician, explains that the first deployment's mission is to lure the rampant lesser oni on Awaji to a single location and Kanetatsu Naoe will be leading it. Kuroko continues to explain that the lesser oni have sturdy horns and most Bushi won't be able to cut them. The men then wonder why Kanetatsu is leading it. Tatsuomi Uesugi explains that Kanetatsu one of the strongest of his Bushi, but refuses any honors or promotions, so Tatsuomi bestowed him with the "tatsu" from his name, and Kanetatsu is one of his three dragons.

Tatsuomi informs Naotora that the Obsidian Goddess has been found. He also suspects an infiltrator, who will try to take out the Uesugi when they face Yamata no Orochi. He send out Kuroko to look for the infiltrators and once she finds them, they will move. Later, when Michiru and Musashi form a black crystal and Kuroko captures them, Kuroko tells Tatsuomi that Michiru was on her list of potential spies, however, she comes with a plan and suggest he to arrest Musashi and let Michiru go. Tatsuomi then arrest Musashi and later Michiru contacts Yataro Inuda on the Awaji island, allowing Kuroko to trace it and realize where the enemy hideout is.

Oni had attacked the castle and Tatsuomi comes and enhances his men. Tatsuomi tells Yataro that he agrees to an extend to his words, but they still feel joy when sharing and being shared with, just as much as they do when proving their strength and worth. The buffed bushi then easily kill the oni. Since there is a protective field around the castle, Tatsuomi wonders how the oni managed to get into the castle. Shiro shows up and states its because of his sword ability and attacks Tatsuomi. Shiro cuts Tatsuomi's arm and captures him.

After Orochi is defeated, Tatsuomi is saved by Kojiro and Tsugumi's group. Reuniting with Kanetatsu, Tatsuomi tells him he knew they would win. Tatsuomi then tells Musashi that Michiru spoke with him and although she doesn't remember him, she feels something about him. They head down the mountain where Orochi was to find a floating black sword and transformed Yataro, who had taken Orochi's power. As Yataro attacks the Bushi and claims to have turned Michiru into the new Goddess, Naotora comes and tells Tatsuomi to protect Musashi as the Goddess is in him. Kanetatsu confirms and explains he gave him her blood too. Tatsuomi then powers up Naotora and Kanetatsu, but they get easily defeated by Yataro.

Two weeks later, Kojiro and Tsugumi speak with Tatsuomi, who explains that the signature they have is his father's, but they don't have a record of Jisai Kanemaki bushi, and guesses it may have been a temporary alliance. However, as he seems important, the other big Bushi bands may know him and he will call for a meeting. Kojiro is surprised to hear he will do that for him, and Tatsuomi explains its because they saved his life and because its one of the two conditions under which Musashi promised to help them.

Kanetatsu apologizes to Tatsuomi, stating he couldn't finish the enemy. Tatsuomi states he is the same as Naotora who said the same thing about Shiro. Kanetatsu states they are still eight and Tatsuomi agrees, stating that even if one dies, they always manage to find a replacement.

## Abilities

**Yellow Sword Soul**: He possesses a yellow Color Of The Soul

## Etymology

* The name **Tatsuomi** means "dragon" (竜) (**tatsu**) and "retainer, subject" (臣) (**omi**).

## Trivia

* Tatsuomi Uesugi's character is most likely inspired by one of the most famous daimyōs of the Sengoku period, Uesugi Kenshin. There are many motifs that they share:
	+ **dragon motive**: in the manga, Tatsuomi has the kanji of dragon in his name and a huge dragon tattoo on his back while in real life, Uesugi Kenshin sometimes was referred to as "The Dragon of Echigo"
	+ **Bishamonten**: in the manga there is a huge Bishamonten-like statue in the Uesugi Bushi's castle; in real life, Uesugi Kenshin was a Buddhist and a devotee of Bishamonten

## References

Shinobu Ohtaka wordpress
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