During that time, the Tenbun War broke out in Echigo Province when Sadazane UESUGI, Shugo (a provincial military governer), was to adopt Sanemoto DATE, son of Tanemune DATE, as a son-in-law, and Kokujin-shu (powerful families in a province) in the province were divided in favor or opposing such an adoption, but Kenshin's brother, Harukage, could not settle this internal conflict due to his illness.
当時、越後では守護上杉定実が伊達稙宗の子・伊達実元（伊達実元）を婿養子に迎える件で天文の乱が起こっており、越後の国人衆も養子縁組に賛成派と反対派に二分されていたが、兄の晴景は病弱なこともあって内紛を治めることはできなかった。