Akechi Mitsuhide (March 10, 1528 – July 2, 1582), initially known as Jubei within his clan and later as Koreto Hyuga no Kami by title, was a notable Japanese samurai general during the Sengoku period. He is most famously remembered as the assassin of Oda Nobunaga. Mitsuhide first served as a bodyguard to Ashikaga Yoshiaki and later became a distinguished general under the daimyo Nobunaga during his campaign for political unification in Japan.
Mitsuhide's rebellion against Nobunaga in the Honno-ji Incident of 1582, for reasons unknown, led to Nobunaga's tragic seppuku in Kyoto, as he was left unprotected. Mitsuhide then sought to establish himself as shogun, but was pursued by Nobunaga's successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and was ultimately defeated in the Battle of Yamazaki.
Mitsuhide was believed to be born on March 10, 1528, at Tara Castle in Mino Province, which corresponds to modern-day Kani, Gifu Prefecture. He hailed from the Toki-Akechi family, a branch of the shugo Toki clan, and was rumored to be a childhood friend or cousin of Nohime. Raised to be a general under the governance of Saito Dosan and the Toki clan in Mino Province, Mitsuhide sided with Dosan when his son, Saito Yoshitatsu, rebelled in 1556.
Mitsuhide's service extended to being one of the guardians of the "wandering shogun" Ashikaga Yoshiaki under Hosokawa Fujitaka. At one point, he suggested Oda Nobunaga as the official protector for Yoshiaki, who had initially sought Asakura Yoshikage for the role.
By 1567, after Nobunaga's conquest of Mino Province and the subsequent passage through Omi Province to Kyoto, Nobunaga, Yoshiaki, and Mitsuhide arrived in the capital, where Nobunaga facilitated Yoshiaki's ascension as the next shogun. Mitsuhide played a crucial role in the defense of Yoshiaki during the "Honkokuji Incident" in 1569, ultimately solidifying his loyalty to Nobunaga.
Mitsuhide continued to distinguish himself in various campaigns under Nobunaga's banner, including the Siege of Kanegasaki in Echizen Province and the Siege of Shigisan against Matsunaga Hisahide. He also played a key role in the Siege of Ishiyama Hongan-ji against Ikko-ikki rebellion in 1576.
However, tensions between Mitsuhide and Nobunaga escalated over time, exacerbated by public insults directed at Mitsuhide. The breaking point came with the Siege of Shigisan, which is often linked to the Honnoji Incident.
The Honnoji Incident in 1582 marked a pivotal moment in Mitsuhide's history. Ignoring Nobunaga's orders to march west, Mitsuhide led an army against Nobunaga's position at Honno-ji. The temple was surrounded and set ablaze, leading to Nobunaga's demise. Mitsuhide claimed responsibility for the act, shocking the capital.
In a bid to secure his position, Mitsuhide looted Azuchi Castle to reward his men. However, his attempts at garnering support from the Imperial Court and other clans were in vain. Toyotomi Hideyoshi, alerted to Nobunaga's assassination, swiftly marshaled his forces and confronted Mitsuhide at the Battle of Yamazaki on July 2, 1582. Outnumbered and unprepared, Mitsuhide was defeated in the ensuing battle.
See also
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Saito Tatsuoki
Saito Tatsuoki (6 September 1548 - 1573) was a daimyo of Mino Province during Japan's Sengoku period and the third-generation lord of the Saito clan. He was the son of Saito Yoshitatsu and grandson of Saito Dosan. His mother was a daughter of Azai Hisamasa, making him a nephew of Azai Nagamasa and a relative of Oda Nobunaga's first wife, Nohime, who was also a daughter of Saito Dosan.
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Kyogoku Tadataka
Kyogoku Tadataka (1593–1637) was a Japanese nobleman and the head of the Kyogoku clan during the early 17th century, a pivotal time marked by the Tokugawa consolidation of power. His childhood name was Kumamaro, and he hailed from a lineage claiming descent from Emperor Uda (868–897). Tadataka was the son of Kyogoku Takatsugu and one of his concubines, with his paternal grandfather being Kyogoku Takayoshi.
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Matsudaira Naomasa
The late Muromachi period, also known as the Sengoku period, was an era of continuous conflict and upheaval, often likened to periods of chaos in Chinese history. This turbulent era was brought to an end by Tokugawa Ieyasu, who, with the support of loyal retainers, established the Edo Shogunate and became the ruler of Japan. Among Ieyasu’s descendants, Naomasa Matsudaira, his grandson, played a significant role during the Osaka Siege. He earned praise from his adversary, Nobushige Sanada (Yukimura Sanada), for his valor as a young warrior and maintained strong relations with successive Tokugawa shoguns.
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Ishikawa Kazumasa
Ishikawa Kazumasa (1534–1609) was a prominent Japanese retainer who began serving Tokugawa Ieyasu during his youth. Their relationship began in 1551 when both were hostages under the Imagawa clan. Kazumasa remained a loyal companion to Ieyasu, participating in key events such as the Siege of Terabe in 1558 and the Siege of Marune in 1560. After Ieyasu broke away from the Imagawa following the latter event, Kazumasa became a trusted retainer and administrator in his service.
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Shimazu Toyohisa
Shimazu Toyohisa (July 1570 – October 21, 1600), also known as Shimazu Tadatoyo, was a samurai of the Shimazu clan and the son of Shimazu Iehisa. He was the nephew of Shimazu Yoshihiro and held command over Sadowara Castle. Known for his valor, Toyohisa participated in numerous key battles of the late Sengoku period, earning recognition for his bravery and tactical acumen.
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Ikeda Terumasa
Ikeda Terumasa (January 31, 1565 – March 16, 1613) was a Japanese daimyo of the early Edo period, recognized by his court title, "Musashi no Kami," and known as the "Shogun of Western Japan." Terumasa, a distinguished military leader, participated in numerous significant battles during the late Azuchi-Momoyama period. His service at the Battle of Sekigahara earned him control over the Himeji domain. Originally named Araokojimaru, he was the son of Ikeda Tsuneoki and the brother of Ikeda Sen. He later became the heir to Ikeda Nobuteru and held Ikejiri Castle in Mino Province.
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Mori Tadamasa
Mori Tadamasa (1570 - July 31, 1634) was a notable military commander during Japan’s Warring States period and an early Edo-period daimyo. Initially, he governed Kawanakajima Domain in Shinano Province (modern-day Nagano Prefecture) and later became the first lord of Tsuyama Domain in Mimasaka Province (now northern Okayama Prefecture). He founded the Mori family line of the Ako Domain. Tadamasa’s family origins trace back to the Genji (Minamoto) clan, specifically the Kawachi-Genji branch from Kawachi Province (in present-day southeastern Osaka Prefecture), a lineage tied to Emperor Seiwa through his ancestor Yorisada Mori, a great-grandson of the famed Minamoto no Yoshiie.
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Sanada Masayuki
Sanada Masayuki (1547 – July 13, 1611) was a daimyo and prominent lord of Japan's Sengoku period. Head of the Sanada clan from Shinano Province, he served the powerful Takeda clan of Kai Province alongside his father and brothers during Takeda Shingen’s leadership. Following the Takeda clan's decline, Masayuki took charge of the Sanada, and despite limited resources, he established his clan as an independent power under the Toyotomi regime by navigating alliances with dominant clans such as the Tokugawa, Hojo, and Uesugi. Renowned as one of his era's greatest strategists, Masayuki achieved notable victories against the Tokugawa forces in the Battle of Kami River and the Siege of Ueda.
