The Takeda clan was quite powerful in Japan, primarily due to the relative mineral wealth in their territories (Shinano and especially Kai province) and also the particular breed of horse that was in the area s well. In addition, Takeda Shingen was a talented and well-respected commander with a strong understanding of military strategy, as most exemplified by his "four elements" strategy (The still mountain, the swift wind, the quiet woods, and the fierce fire). In addition, he had highly experienced troops and a strong officer corps: he had a reputation of having 24 famous generals to lead his troops.

After Oda Nobunaga started to secure hegemony in middle Japan, there was a strong reaction against him, and anti-Oda forces rallied around Takeda as being the strongest force against Oda. However, Takeda Shingen died while saying siege to some of Oda's castles, and his son, Takeda Katsuyori, was simply not as skilled as he was: for instance, Shingen was acquainted with the Oda forces' use of firearms, and had previously routed Tokugawa's forces with heavy losses despite their heavy firearm contingent. He had for example attacked while the Oda powder was still wet, reducing the effectiveness of their matchlocks.

Katsuyori thus fell into Oda's trap. Oda set up a complicated defense in depth using a mixture of slight palisades and volley fire to frustrate the Takeda attackers, eventually repulsing them with heavy casualties at Nagashino. The fact that a weak ruler had become the family head, combined with the shattering of their military prowess, the loss of many loyal retainers, and the simple loss of prestige, caused many Takeda allies to desert, while Takeda rivals such as Uesugi and Hojo saw an opportunity to expand. As for Oda, having decisively weakened his opponent, and seeing an opportunity to secure his eastern flank, he pushed in and wiped out the remaining Takeda forces at Temmokuzan a few years later.