Kenshin UESUGI, whose original name was Kagetora NAGAO, was from the Nagao clan that served as Shugodai (deputy military governor) in Echigo Province under the Uesugi clan.
上杉氏の下で越後国の守護代を務めた長尾氏出身で、初名は長尾景虎（ながおかげとら）。