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Mitsuhide Akechi2
Akechi Mitsuhide
Personal Information
Born: 1526
Place of Birth: Kyoto/Mino province
Died: July 2, 1582
Cause of Death: Killed by a peasant
Place of Death: Battle of Yamazaki
Style name: 明智 光秀
Served: Oda
Akechi
Participation(s): Battle of Honnoji
Battle of Yamazaki

Akechi Mitsuhide was a general under Oda Nobunaga, although he later betrayed Nobunaga Oda and caused him to commit suicide at Honnoji.

Biography[]

He was the son of Akechi Mitsukuni. Mitsuhide first served the Saitō of Mino and later Asakura Ujikage of Echizen. In 1566 Mitsuhide is supposed to have acted as a messenger for Ashikaga Yoshiaki and thereafter served Oda Nobunaga.[1]

Serving the Oda[]

Mitsuhide began his service to Nobunaga in 1566.[2] Mitsuhide proved himself a capable general and in 1571 was awarded Sakamoto[3],worth 100,000 koku[4] and two districts in Omi province.[5] When Nobunaga went to war with the Mōri clan, Mitsuhide was assigned to lead the Oda contingent that would be marching along the northern coast of the Chugoku arm. He invaded Tamba, where he subdued the Hatano, and Tango, and also clashed with the Isshiki family.[6] In 1579 Mitsuhide capture Yakami castle by taking the mother of Hatano Hideharu as hostage. Oda Nobunaga however, had her crucified, whereupon the surviving retainers of the Hatano killed Mitsuhide's mother.[7] Mitsuhide, needless to say, bore Nobunaga some ill will. This was inflamed by a series of public insults Nobunaga directed at Mitsuhide that drew even the attention of Western observers. Nonetheless, Mitsuhide was generally well regarded for his talents both on the battlefield and as an administrator.[8]

Incident at Honnoji[]

Mitsuhide hit back at Nobunaga in 1582 when the latter was in Kyoto by leading a coup at the Honnoji temple.[9] Nobunaga ordered Mitsuhide to assemble his troops and march to the west, where Toyotomi Hideyoshi was embroiled in a struggle with the Mōri. Instead, Mitsuhide marched on Oda, who was occupying the Honnoji temple at the time. Nobunaga and his heir Nobutada were killed, and Mitsuhide declared himself the new shogun, however improbably.

Mitsuhide worked as quickly as he could, and looted Azuchi Castle so as to reward his men and made friendly gestures towards a bewildered Imperial Court. The Akechi could claim descent from the Toki, and in turn the Minamoto, but, unsurprisingly, this would bear little fruit. Mitsuhide had counted on the support of Hosokawa Fujitaka, with whom he was related to through marriage. This alliance did not pan out as Fujitaka wisely cut his ties with the usurper. It is possible that Mitsuhide also hoped for the support of the Tsutsui, whose relation with Nobunaga had been none too good. Tsutsui Junkei, however, wavered, and in the end joined Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Another grave setback came within days. Mitsuhide had counted on Hideyoshi being tied up with the Mōri and thus being unable to promptly respond to Nobunaga's death.[10]

Death[]

Unfortunately, Hideyoshi learned of the assassination before the Mōri, and signed a peace treaty with that clan. This allowed him to force-march back east at a rapid pace, catching Mitsuhide off guard. Mitsuhide and Hideyoshi clashed at the Battle of Yamazaki and though the former fought bravely, his troops were defeated. Mitsuhide himself was killed while attempting to make his way to Sakamoto, which was held by his nephew, Akechi Hidemitsu. Soon afterwards, Sakamoto was reduced by Hori Hidemasa. [11]

Family[]

Sons

  • Akechi Mitsuyoshi

Daughter

  • Gracia

Gallery[]

Sources[]

  1. Samurai Archives, Akechi Mitsuhide
  2. Samurai Source book, Stephen Turnbull pg.27
  3. Samurai Archives, Akechi Mitsuhide
  4. Samurai Source book, Stephen Turnbull pg.27
  5. Samurai Archives, Akechi Mitsuhide
  6. Samurai Archives, Akechi Mitsuhide
  7. Samurai Source book, Stephen Turnbull pg.27
  8. Samurai Archives, Akechi Mitsuhide
  9. Samurai Source book, Stephen Turnbull pg.27
  10. Samurai Archives, Akechi Mitsuhide
  11. Samurai Archives, Akechi Mitsuhide
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