Since Kenshin made a lifelong commitment to strictly observe the Buddhist commandment of celibacy, all of his children (Kagekatsu UESUGI, Kagetora UESUGI, Yoshiharu HATAKEYAMA and Kagekuni YAMAURA) were adopted.
生涯不犯を貫いたため、その子供は全員（上杉景勝・上杉景虎・畠山義春・山浦景国）養子だった。