Kenshin is the main protagonist of Chōgorō Kaionji's epic historical novel "Ten to Chi to" ("Heaven and Earth") and NHK taiga drama adaptation "Ten to Chi to" (1969) where was played by Kōji Ishizaka. Kenshin, played by Isao Natsuyagi is featured in 1979 film "G.I. Samurai", and played by Eiichi Kanakubo is a minor character in Akira Kurosawa's 1980 jidaigeki "Kagemusha". The 1990 movie adaptation of Kaionji's novel, "Heaven and Earth" directed by Haruki Kadokawa, where's Kenshin played by Takaaki Enoki, covers the rivalry between Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen, focusing mainly on the character of Kenshin who is referred to by his original name Kagetora. The film has been praised for its realistic depictions of warfare and battles of the period. Being a box office success in Japan, it is also famous for holding the world record for most saddled horses used in one sequence — 800 horses were in a battle segment. Kaionji's novel was also adapted by TV Asahi for their 50th anniversary as 2008 TV drama special where Kenshin was played by Masahiro Matsuoka.