was a retainer of the Takeda family. His name is also seen with different kanji as 信形. Nobukata served under both Takeda Nobutora and Takeda Shingen and also was tasked with young Shingen. In 1541 Nobutora, along with Amari Torayasu, was driven out from the position of the head of Takeda clan, and he served as the general for Shingen often leading the troops into a battle when Shingen could not. In 1542, he would personally finish off Takato Yoritsugu at Ankokuji, shortly after the Siege of Fukuyo. In 1545, he successfully captured Takato castle. In 1546, he defeated Uesugi Norimasa at Usui Toge. With these victories, he was instrumental in gaining the control of Shinano Province and proved himself a skilled tactician. He was known as one of the "Twenty-Four Generals of Takeda Shingen".