Echigo is a moderately wealthy province located to the north of Honshu. During the Sengoku Jidai, Echigo was ruled by Uesugi Kenshin, a great warlord who became famous for his long rivalry with Takeda Shingen. Kenshin had lived in Echigo all his life and was originally called Nagao Kagetora, but he changed his name when he was adopted into the Uesugi clan. It was also in Echigo that nishikigoi, the colourful variety of the common carp that are now commonplace as pets, were first produced through selective breeding.