However, it was also pointed out that the Echigo-Uesugi family originally served as Shugo (provincial constable), the headship of the Yamanouchi-Uesugi family, a Soke (head of family, originator) of the Uesugi family, was indispensable to unify Echigo Province where a large number of hikan (low-level bureaucrat) vassals of Echigo-Uesugi family existed.
ただし、元来越後上杉家が守護を勤め、越後上杉被官家臣が数多くいた越後を統一するには、上杉家宗家である山内上杉家の家督は必要不可欠であったとする指摘もある。