The Battle of Yamazaki is one of the most famous battles in Japanese history. The epicenter of the battle is Yamazaki, which is closer to the south of Kyoto. The date of the battle is July 2, 1582. The battle took place two weeks later, when Akechi Mitsuhide attacked and killed Oda Nobunaga and thus took over Nobunaga's power, and power in the capital, Kyoto. At the same time, Nobunaga's generals were located in different parts of the empire. The ruler was surrounded only by a handful of samurai. The enemy knew this important fact and skillfully took advantage of the situation. However, further events unfolded according to a different scenario.
Mitsuhide did not expect that the generals would be so loyal to their former master and be able to quickly avenge him. He believed to the last that time and a long distance were on his side. An important role in this confrontation was occupied by Honno-ji-Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who, keeping the death of the leader a secret from enemies and friends, managed to advance his army 40 km towards Kyoto. Further, other commanders joined him.
At the same time, Mitsuhide did not know how to properly hold the castle. First, his troops were very tired. Secondly, the united army (Toyotomi's forces) was approaching at great speed. He was well aware that Hideyoshi's army was stronger and outnumbered. In such a situation, Mitsuhide began to ask his son-in-law and his father for help, but was refused. The reason for the refusal was that both samurai were outraged by the sudden attack on Nobunaga. They feared for their lives and the lives of their soldiers. In addition, many people from Mitsuhide's army deserted during this time. Thus, Mitsuhide was left on his own, without outside help.
He decided to meet the advancing army at Yamazaki. This location was chosen for several reasons. The most basic is the ability to retreat if necessary. Secondly, the place itself had a good location. On the one hand, the Yodo River, which protected the right flank, and on the other hand, Mount Tennozan, 270m high, it acted as a defense of the left flank.
According to Mitsuhide's calculation, castles and natural defenses were supposed to provide reliable cover for his troops and thereby give an advantage over a numerous enemy. He positioned his army behind a small river, which provided a good defensive position. However, the enemy also did not waste time. On the night of July 1, the enemy sent several ninja to Mitsuhide's camp. They set fire to buildings, and thereby dispelled panic, fear among the soldiers, depriving them of normal sleep.
The Battle of Yamazaki took place the very next morning. On the same day, the main battles began. Each army took up its battle positions. Already at the first stages, the enemy army took advantageous positions and surrounded Mitsuhide's people. At this time, many Mitsuhide warriors fled. Only 200 people remained at Mitsuhide's disposition, who were destroyed by Hideyoshi's forces during the battle. This ended the battle of Yamazaki. Mitsuhide first fled, and a little later was killed by a peasant warrior. Thus, the reign of Mitsuhide lasted only 13 days.
See also
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The Battle of Azukizaka
The Battle of Azukizaka, also known as the Battle of Bato-ga-hara, occurred in 1564, as Tokugawa Ieyasu aimed to quash the emerging threat of the Ikko-ikki, a coalition of monks, samurai, and peasants strongly opposed to samurai rule.
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Battle of Osaka
Upon Toyotomi Hideyoshi's death in 1598, Japan entered a period of governance by the Council of Five Elders, with Tokugawa Ieyasu wielding the most influence. Following his victory over Ishida Mitsunari in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Ieyasu effectively seized control of Japan and disbanded the Council. In 1603, the Tokugawa shogunate was established in Edo, with Hideyoshi's son, Toyotomi Hideyori, and his mother, Yodo-dono, permitted to reside at Osaka Castle. Hideyori was granted a significant fief valued at 657,400 koku but remained confined to the castle for several years. As a means of control, it was arranged for Hideyori to marry Senhime, the daughter of Hidetada, in 1603, who had ties to both clans. Ieyasu aimed to establish a strong and stable regime under his clan's rule, with only the Toyotomi, led by Hideyori and influenced by Yodo-dono, posing a challenge to his ambitions.
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Battle of Shizugatake
The Battle of Shizugatake, occurring during Japan's Sengoku period, unfolded between Toyotomi Hideyoshi (then known as Hashiba Hideyoshi) and Shibata Katsuie in Shizugatake, Omi Province, spanning two days from the 20th day of the fourth month of Tensho 11 (equivalent to June 10-11, 1583, on the Gregorian calendar). Katsuie, supporting Oda Nobutaka's claim as successor of Oda Nobunaga, engaged in a succession dispute within the Oda clan, ultimately favoring Hideyoshi.
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Battles of Kizugawaguchi
The pair of Kizugawaguchi Battles took place during Oda Nobunaga's endeavors to besiege the Ishiyama Hongan-ji in Osaka. Serving as the stronghold of the Ikko-ikki, a coalition of warrior monks, priests, and farmers in opposition to Oda's rule, the Hongan-ji posed a formidable challenge. To counter the Ikko-ikki's attempts to supply the fortress and break the siege, Oda commanded Admiral Kuki Yoshitaka to organize a blockade against their allies' fleets. Among the opposition were influential families, notably the Mori Terumoto from the Mori clan in neighboring provinces.
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The Battle of Okehazama
In the year 1560, Imagawa Yoshimoto, a formidable warlord who held dominion over the provinces of Suruga, Totomi, and Mikawa, gathered a mighty army of 25,000 men. His objective was to march upon Kyoto, challenging the increasingly feeble and ineffectual Ashikaga shogunate for control of Japan. The army traced its path along the Tokaido highway, crossing from Mikawa into Owari province, recently unified by the local warlord, Oda Nobunaga.
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The Battle of Komaki and Nagakute
The series of conflicts in 1584 known as the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute unfolded between the armies of Hashiba Hideyoshi (who later assumed the name Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1586) and those of Oda Nobukatsu and Tokugawa Ieyasu. Prior to this, both Hideyoshi and Ieyasu had served under Oda Nobunaga without encountering any clashes, making this their sole period of hostility. While the history predominantly recalls the two major battles, the event is sometimes referred to as the Komaki Campaign.
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The Battle of Mikatagahara
The Battle of Mikatagahara occurred during Japan's Sengoku period and pitted Takeda Shingen against Tokugawa Ieyasu. This clash took place on January 25, 1573, in Mikatagahara, Tōtōmi Province. Shingen launched an assault on Ieyasu's forces in the Mikatagahara plains, north of Hamamatsu. This engagement happened within the context of Shingen's campaign against Oda Nobunaga, as he sought a passage from Kōfu to Kyoto.
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The Battle of Sekigahara: Decisive Shift in Japanese History
Taking place on October 21, 1600, in what is now Gifu prefecture, Japan, the Battle of Sekigahara marked a turning point at the culmination of the Sengoku period. Tokugawa Ieyasu's forces clashed with a coalition led by Ishida Mitsunari, loyal to Toyotomi, with many clans defecting before or during the battle, ultimately leading to Tokugawa's triumph. This battle, the largest in Japanese feudal history, holds paramount significance and paved the way for the Tokugawa shogunate's establishment.
