Nitta Yoshisada

Nitta Yoshisada (1301–1338) was lord of Nitta Manor in Kōzuke and the general who brought down the Kamakura shogunate. He became clan head in 1318. In 1333, after killing a Hōjō tax collector, he rose at Go-Daigo's call with 150 horsemen.

Beaten at Bubaigawara on 15 May, he won there the next day. The Taiheiki says at Inamuragasaki he threw his gold-mounted sword into the sea and the tide drew back. On 22 May Takatoki killed himself. Sent against Ashikaga Takauji in 1335, he was beaten back and lost at Minatogawa in 1336.

He then escorted two princes to Echizen. Besieged at Kanegasaki until the garrison ate horses, it fell in March 1337; his son and a prince killed themselves. In August 1338 he met Shiba's troops at Fujishima and fell; the Taiheiki says an arrow struck his forehead and he slew himself. His head was paraded through Kyoto.