He was born a son of Uesugi Fusakata, constable of Echigo. Some date his birth to 1411, and accounts differ. The Uesugi were relatives of the Ashikaga and a great house that served in the Kanto as deputies assisting the Kamakura kubo.
When Kanto deputy Uesugi Norimoto died young, Norizane succeeded to the Yamanouchi Uesugi as his adopted son. Still a boy, he later became Kanto deputy, supporting the Kamakura kubo Ashikaga Mochiuji. Their relationship would in time become difficult.
When shogun Ashikaga Yoshimochi died, Mochiuji hoped to become shogun, but Yoshinori was chosen by lot. Resentful, Mochiuji deepened his conflict with the shogunate. Norizane urged him to avoid strife and worked to mediate between the two.
Around this time he came to govern Ashikaga estate in Shimotsuke and devoted himself to reviving the declining Ashikaga School. Valuing learning, he later donated precious Chinese books and is said to have invited the monk Kaigen of Engakuji in Kamakura to head the school.
As Mochiuji defied the shogunate, holding his heir's coming-of-age without the shogun's name, Norizane felt endangered and withdrew to Kozuke. When Mochiuji moved to strike him, shogun Yoshinori ordered Mochiuji subdued, and Norizane fought on the shogunate's side.
Norizane begged that the defeated Mochiuji be spared, but Yoshinori refused, and Mochiuji took his own life at Eianji in Kamakura. Tormented at having driven his lord to death, Norizane is said to have tried to end his own life, then became a monk named Chotō.
He donated precious books printed in Song China to the Ashikaga School, strengthening its base as a place of learning. He is said to have set school rules around this time. The school was later called the university of the Bando and drew many students in the Warring States period.
When Yuki Ujitomo of Shimousa rose in arms backing Mochiuji's orphaned sons, Norizane returned to affairs at the shogunate's request and helped suppress it. The revolt ended the next year, but soon shogun Yoshinori was killed by Akamatsu Mitsusuke in the Kakitsu Incident, and the times grew more unsettled.
The Kamakura kubo was restored under Mochiuji's son Shigeuji, and Norizane's son Noritada became Kanto deputy. But Norizane, unwilling that a son of the house that ruined its lord should hold the post, is said to have disowned him. He himself withdrew completely from politics.
His son Noritada was killed by Shigeuji, and the Kanto entered the long Kyotoku War. The fighting lasted about thirty years, and the Kanto is said to have entered the Warring States age ahead of the rest of Japan. The lord-vassal clash Norizane feared appeared in its worst form.
In later life Norizane wandered the provinces and found refuge with the Ouchi, rulers of Suo and Nagato. He is said to have died at Daineiji in Nagato. Though caught in tragedy in Kanto politics, his work in protecting and fostering the Ashikaga School has long been remembered.
Akamatsu MitsusukeAshikaga YoshimochiAshikaga Mochiuji
Ashikaga MochiujiIchijō KaneyoshiYamana SōzenNisshinRennyoSesshūSōgiAsakura Takakage (Toshikage)
People of the Muromachi period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.