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 Second Siege of Jinju Castle
During the two Korean campaigns of the 16th century, the Japanese repeatedly had to capture enemy fortresses and defend occupied or constructed fortifications from the combined Korean and Chinese forces. Among all the operations of that time, the second siege of Jinju Castle is considered the most interesting from the point of view of siege warfare.
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The Siege of Takamatsu Castle
The siege of Takamatsu Castle in Bitchu Province is considered the first mizuzeme, or “water siege,” in Japanese history. Until then, such an original tactic had never been used.
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The Third Siege of Takatenjin Castle
The history of the castle prior to the conflict between the Tokugawa and Takeda clans is rather unclear. According to one version, the castle was built in 1416, when Imagawa Sadayoshi (1325–1420) was governor of Suruga Province and half of Totomi Province. Allegedly, it was he who ordered Imagawa Norimasa (1364–1433) to build this fortification. However, no reliable evidence has been found to support this. Another version is considered more plausible, according to which the castle was built during the conquest of Totomi Province at the end of the 15th century by Imagawa Ujitsuna (1473–1526) and his general Ise Shinkuro (Hojo Soon). In this case, another of Ujitsuna's generals, Kusima Masashige (1492–1521), is considered responsible for the construction.
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Battle of Mimigawa
In 1556, the Shimazu clan launched a campaign aimed at systematically conquering the island of Kyushu. In the same year, the province of Osumi was annexed and a war began with the Ito clan for control of the province of Hyuga. In 1577, Ito Yoshisuke was defeated and fled north, where he sought help from Otomo Sorin, the Christian daimyo of Bungo Province.
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The Siege of Kozuki Castle
The battle for Kozuki Castle was a consequence of Oda Nobunaga's expansion in the Chugoku region. Toyotomi Hideyoshi was appointed to lead the campaign, which aimed to weaken the influence of the Mori clan in these lands. Under his command were famous samurai: Kuroda Kanbei, Takenaka Shigeharu, and Hachisuka Koroku. Amago Katsuhisa, who cherished the hope of one day restoring the Amago clan's lost dominance in western Japan, also joined Oda's army.
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The Siege of Nagashino Castle
Despite his reputation as a failure, created by 20th-century popular culture, especially cinema, Takeda Katsuyori (1546–1582) was in fact a brave warrior and talented commander. However, he always remained in the shadow of his great father, the legendary Takeda Shingen. After Shingen's death, Katsuyori sought to at least equal him, if not surpass him. Therefore, his actions were not always determined by pragmatic calculation. This character trait greatly influenced the subsequent events that led to the demise of the Takeda clan.
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Siege of Nagashima Fortifications
The Buddhist peasant movement Ikko-Ikki, which emerged in the 15th century, had grown considerably stronger and larger by the middle of the following century. It had effectively turned into a large feudal army used for territorial conquests. The Ikko-ikki fought fiercely not only against other branches of Buddhism, but also against the provincial daimyo and the central government.
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The Second Battle of Konodai
Hojo Ujiasu (1515–1571), one of the greatest representatives of the Hojo clan, spent almost his entire life at war. His possessions were in a difficult position: they were surrounded on all sides by aggressive neighbors ready to attack at any moment. In implementing his plans to expand the Hojo clan's influence in the Kanto region, Ujiasu was forced to confront well-known and powerful opponents—the Uesugi and Takeda clans. In the east, his main rival was the Satomi clan.
