Warriors orochi 3 mitsuhide akechi biography

16th-century samurai; assassin of Oda Nobunaga

In this Japanese name, the surname evenhanded Akechi.

Akechi Mitsuhide (明智 光秀, Go on foot 10, 1528 – July 2, 1582),^[1] first called Jūbei from his dynasty and later Koretō Hyūga no Kami (惟任日向守) from his title, was dinky Japanese samurai general of the Sengoku period. Mitsuhide was originally a shielder of Ashikaga Yoshiaki and later, collective of the trusted generals under daimyōOda Nobunaga during his war of civil unification in Japan.

Mitsuhide rebelled harm Nobunaga for unknown reasons in illustriousness Honnō-ji Incident in 1582, forcing picture unprotected Nobunaga to commit seppuku problem Kyoto.

Mitsuhide attempted to establish personally as shōgun, but was pursued vulgar Nobunaga's successor Toyotomi Hideyoshi and foiled at the Battle of Yamazaki. Goodness 13-days short reign of Mitsuhide go over the main points listed as the inspiration for representation yojijukugo set phrase mikkatenka (三日天下, short-lived^[2] reign).^[3][4]

He is still popular in be existent culture. A ceremonial activity was reserved on April 15, 2018, in Kyoto.^[5]

Biography

Early life

Akechi Mitsuhide was believed to befit born on 10 March 1528 blot Tara Castle, Mino Province (present-day Kani, Gifu Prefecture).^[6] In the Akechi Kindred Tree recorded in "Zoku Gunsho Ruiju" and the "Mino no Kuni Shokki", it is said that the Akechi clan which Mitsuhide hailed from were descended as branch of Toki dynasty of the Seiwa Genji clan, place the Toki clan served as shugo in Mino Province for over Cardinal years from the Kenmu Restoration, stream has produced several dozen branches escaping then on. However, there are clumsy primary historical sources that supported that claim. Moreover, when Ashikaga Yoshiaki was staying in Echizen Province, Mitsuhide served as a foot soldier (made optimistic of those who were not straight vassals of the Shogun) recruited all along the time of Ashikaga Yoshiteru. That cast doubts among historian he was not from the main line wages the Akechi clan of the Toki clan, who were listed in rank hokoshu, a higher rank than description foot soldiers. His father is recorded as Akechi Mitsutsuna in various genealogies from the Edo period.^[8][a] Furthermore, archivist Kobayashi Masanobu stated that the term of Mitsusuna, father of Mitsuhide, cannot be found in historical documents flash Akechi clan from Toki branch. As follows Tadachika Kuwata suspected that he came from lower branch of Akechi gens, not the main branch.

Mitsuhide is rumored to be a childhood friend fine cousin of Nōhime. It is considered that he was raised to snigger a general among 10,000 by Saitō Dōsan and the Toki clan cloth their governorship of the Mino Bailiwick. When Dōsan's son, Saitō Yoshitatsu, rebelled against his father in 1556, Mitsuhide sided with Dōsan.^{[citation needed]}

Service under Ashikaga Shogunate

Mitsuhide began serving the "wandering shōgun" Ashikaga Yoshiaki as one of crown guardians under Hosokawa Fujitaka. Shōgun Ashikaga Yoshiaki asked Asakura Yoshikage to acceptably his official protector, an offer which Yoshikage declined. Later, Yoshiaki appealed lend your energies to Mitsuhide, who suggested Oda Nobunaga instead.^[12]

In 1567, after Nobunaga conquered Mino other Ise Province, Mitsuhide, Nobunaga and as well Yoshiaki marched through Omi province expire Kyoto.^{[citation needed]}

In 1568 November, Nobunaga, Yoshiaki and Mitsuhide arrived in Kyoto, primacy capital of Japan. Later, Nobunaga uncomplicated Yoshiaki the next shogun and detestable Honkoku-ji Temple into a temporary Shogun palace.^{[citation needed]}

In 1569, on January 21, the Miyoshi clan triumvirate (Miyoshi Saninshu) attacked Ashikaga Yoshiaki at Honkoku-ji holy place. In this battle, Mitsuhide and Hosokawa Fujitaka defended the shōgun and disgusted the Miyoshi clan.^[14] On April, Mitsuhide worked together with Kinoshita Hideyoshi (later changing his surname to Hashiba), Niwa Nagahide, and Nakagawa Shigemasa, as noteworthy was tasked as magistrate to position the government affairs of Kyoto abstruse the surrounding areas under the pilot of Oda Nobunaga.

In 1570, on prestige first day of June, at authority Siege Kanegasaki in Echizen Province, Mitsuhide led the rearguard of the Oda forces when Nobunaga gave the button up to retreat. Later in September, generous the conflict between the Oda brotherhood and the forces of Saika Ikki, Mitsuhide was assigned to guard Usayama Castle with 300-400 garrison soldiers botched job his command.

In 1571, after the in force attack at the Ikkō-ikki Enryaku-ji holy place, Mitsuhide received the area of Sakamoto and built Sakamoto Castle.^[18] During that battle, about 18 soldiers from Akechi's army were killed. Mitsuhide donated rash offerings to the Saigyo-ji Temple abide by mourn the fallen. A letter nigh on donation from Mitsuhide remains at integrity temple, and one of the 18 people mentioned in it was howl a samurai but a chūkan^[b] Make out addition, two letters of condolence superior Mitsuhide to his vassals who were injured in the battle remain. Affluent July, after Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki was defeated in the battle of Makishima Castle, he became exiled, and excellence Muromachi Shogunate was virtually abolished. Thereby, Many of the former Shogunate vassals, including Ise Sadaoki and other components of the Ise clan, and Suwa Morinao, entered service as vassals blond Mitsuhide.^[22]

In 1572, Mitsuhide continued serving Shogun Yoshiaki by contributing to the ambition in Kawachi Province under Ashikaga Yoshiteru.

Service under Oda Nobunaga

In 1573, relationship among Ashikaga Yoshiaki with Nobunaga became of poorer quality as he raised a coalition be drawn against Nobunaga with Takeda Shingen on Feb. Mitsuhide sided with Nobunaga and participated in the battles of Ishiyama Fortress and Imakatata Castle as a open vassal of Nobunaga. Mitsuhide brought dominion vassals such as Akechi Yahei, Akechi Jurozaemon, Akechi Jyuemon, Tsumaki Kazue, Miyake Tobei, Fujita Dengo, Matsuda Tarozaemon, professor Hida Tatewaki participated in these battles, killing 58 samurai and over Cardinal non-samurai infantries of Yoshiaki. After primacy end of the battle, Nobunaga lucky break to repair the relationship with Yoshiaki and opened peace negotiation with him, although it immediately collapsed just in advance they were concluded due to interceding from Matsunaga Hisahide.

In 1574, after primacy Ashikaga Shogunate ended, Mitsuhide served thanks to a dual magistrate, assessing taxes joint temple holdings in Kyōto and sheltered environs.^{[citation needed]}

In 1575, He participated fall to pieces the Siege of Takaya Castle (高屋城の戦い) against Miyoshi Yasunaga-Ikko Ikki coalition, unacceptable then in the Battle of Nagashino against the Takeda clan. After ramble, Nobunaga sent Akechi Mitsuhide to thinking control of Tanba Province. Mitsuhide attempted diplomacy and won over a figure of the smaller local lords hold down his side. However, the Akai dynasty were adamant in their opposition, champion Mitsuhide was forced to lay beleaguerment to Kuroi Castle for two months in the winter of 1575.^{[citation needed]} According to the "Yoshikawa clan's record", even though many of local nobility in Tanba has joined the anti-Nobunaga force, the majority of them restrain their loyalty to Nobunaga and supportive Mitsuhide. in this campaign.^[26] Later, perform was awarded the Court titles brake "Junior Fifth Rank (Lower)" and "Governor of Hyūga", and the honorary term of "Koretō Hyūga-no-kami". In June, Nobunaga ordered him to pacify Tanba Area and Tango Province.^[28] During this initiative in Tanba Province, Mitsuhide cooperated pertain to local lords such as Obata Nagaaki from Funai County. In addition, Kawakatsu Tsuguhisa from Imamiya, Kuwata County, locked away also switched sides to the Oda side after being persuaded by Obata.^[29][30] On July, Mitsuhide began attacking pro-Yoshiaki local lords of Tanba such hoot Utsuno Yorishige with the help be in command of Obata and Kawakatsu. However, at primacy same time he was also orderly by Nobunaga to send reinforcements castigate Echizen and Tango, and left glory area. On August, Utsuno Yorishige specious the Oda clan's Umaji Castle folk tale Amarube Castle. The reason behind that order was said to be straight checkmate against Akai Naomasa of Hikami County, who was pursuing attacks privileged Izushi Castle and Takeda Castle mud Tajima, which were the territory misplace the Yamana clan, while showing upshot ambiguous attitude toward Nobunaga's attack clearance Tanba. Later, Mitsuhide returned to Sakamoto Castle, and on October began deft new attack on Tanba. Utsu Yorishige fled without fighting, and Mitsuhide abuse besieged Kuroi Castle, where Akai Naomasa had returned after giving up institution the attack on Takeda Castle. Closest, Mitsuhide built fortifications on at smallest amount three separate places in his pains to besiege and capture Kuroi Castle.

In January 1576, Akai Naomasa suddenly influenced Mitsuhide, where they engaged in representation battle of Kuroi Castle, forcing Mitsuhide to retreat his forces. In Apr, Naomasa and his relative, Akai Tadai, submitted once again to Nobunaga Nobunaga, as they feared the reprisal diverge the Oda clan, albeit it was argued that it was Mitsuhide's position to negotiate and convince them succeed to do so. Later in the exact same month, during the Ishiyama Hongan-ji Hostilities, Mitsuhide, Hosokawa Fujitaka, Harada Naomasa, allow Araki Murashige led the Oda strengthening against the Ikkō-ikki in the wrangle with of Tenno-ji.^[38] On May 5, Mitsuhide involved in a battle where tending of his general, Hanawa Naomasa, was killed in battle. Mitsuhide were skinny by the Ikkō rebel forces classify Tenno-ji Fort, until he relieved by way of Nobunaga's aid. On May 23, Mitsuhide fell ill due to overwork title had to recuperate for a piece. Meanwhile, in Tanba Province, the Hatano clan under Hatano Hideharu, the ruler of Yakami Castle, declared independence view rebelled against Nobunaga. Hideharu sudden disturbance caught Mitsuhide in surprise and discomfited his forces.^[40][41] During this battle, Hyōdayū Horibe, who acted as Mitsuhide's Kagemusha (replacement), was killed.^[26]

In 1577, Mitsuhide, govern with Hosokawa Fujitaka and Tsutsui Junkei, fought under Oda Nobutada in integrity Siege of Shigisan against Matsunaga Hisahide, who had rebelled against Nobunaga. Closest, Mitsuhide took part in the Clash of Tedorigawa against Uesugi Kenshin.^{[1]: 27, 228}

In 1578, two years after the Hatano dynasty rebelled, Nobunaga ordered Mitsuhide to send to Tanba Province and subdue them. Mitsuhide defeated several rebel clans confederative to the Hatano. He defeated nobleness Akai clan, led by Akai Naomasa, at the second siege of Kuroi castle.^{[citation needed]} On March, after Naomasa died of an illness, Mitsuhide drained his forces to attack Sonobe Fort and forced the defender, Araki Ujitsuna, to surrender. For this successful drive, Nobunaga awarded Mitsuhide Kameyama Castle, celebrated Tanba Province as a fief fellow worker revenue of 550,000 koku.^{[citation needed]} Antipathy June 4, Mitsuhide was sent get closer Harima Province as reinforcements for Hideyoshi, who was attacking the Mōri class, where he participated in the encircle of Kamiyoshi Castle. However, in Sept, a huge uprising broke out have round Tanba Province, and even Umahori Manor-house, which was a key location dilemma the defense of Kameyama Castle, was temporarily occupied by the rebels. Mitsuhide returned to Tanba in response elitist recapture the castle. Later, Mitsuhide up Yakami Castle which held by Hatano Hideharu. However, as Yakami Castle was a mountain castle which very hard to capture. Mitsuhide then decided less a strategy of besieging Yakami Mansion commence separate operations to subdue preference subsidiary fortresses belongs to Hideharu skin texture by one to isolate Yakami citadel. Mitsuhide first dug a moat keep Yakami Castle, built earthworks, and afterward built walls and fences on awkward moment of it. By completely surrounding Yakami Castle, he prevented military supplies existing ammunition from being brought into greatness castle. After completely surrounding Yakami Citadel in this way, started to withhold the other fortresses.^[45]

In 1579, the engagement of the Oda clan against Hatano Hideharu in Tanba province reached cast down final stage. However in January, Hatano's forces counterattacked and Obata Nagaakira, lone of the few Tanba locals who had consistently supported the Oda family, was killed. Mitsuhide gave Nagaakira's unshakable child the surname Akechi, and tho' he allowed the Obata clan add up appoint a temporary representative, he spick-and-span that Nagaakira's son must become picture head of the family after significant reached adulthood.^[46][47] Later, Mitsuhide stormed with the addition of captured Kuroi Castle, causing Akai Naoyoshi, who was 9 years old gorilla the time, fled the castle.^[49][c] Aft Tanba was pacified, Mitsuhide distribute straighten up fief of 10,000 koku to Saitō Toshimitsu and appoint him as glory lord of Kuroi Castle, and authority of Hikami district.

In 1580, Nobunaga unemployed his most important commander, Sakuma Nobumori. Mitsuhide replaced Nobumori in command celebrated came to lead the largest question in the Kinki area (Kansai). That move was often said to break down linked to the Honnō-ji Incident.^{[citation needed]}

In 1581, Nobunaga assigned Mitsuhide to sincere the Kyōto ouma-zoroi ("Kyōto Mounted Framework Parade"), a large-scale military parade engaged to the east of the Stately Palace in Kyōto.^{[citation needed]}

Honnō-ji Incident

Main article: Honnō-ji Incident

In 1582, Mitsuhide was picture perfect by Nobunaga to march west industrial action assist Hashiba Hideyoshi who was as a consequence that time fighting the Mōri house. Ignoring his orders, Mitsuhide assembled cosmic army of 13,000 soldiers and alert against Nobunaga's position at Honnō-ji. Spacious June 21, Mitsuhide was quoted despite the fact that saying, "The enemy is at Honnō-ji!" His army surrounded the temple soar eventually set it on fire. Oda Nobunaga was killed either during righteousness fighting, or by his own adjoining. Nobunaga's son, Oda Nobutada, fled ethics scene, but was surrounded at Nijō Shin Gosho [ja], a fortified imperial cabin near today's Nijō Castle, and killed.^[53][54] Despite not killing Nobunaga personally, Mitsuhide claimed responsibility for his death.

Mitsuhide's betrayal of the Oda shocked righteousness capital, and he was forced backing move quickly to secure his image. Mitsuhide looted Azuchi castle to valuation his men and maintain their allegiance.

Mitsuhide attempted to make gestures resolve friendship to a panicked Imperial Court; he also made many attempts solve win over the other clans, however to no avail.

Meanwhile, Hosokawa Fujitaka, to whom he was related navigate marriage, quickly cut ties with him, as well as Tsutsui Junkei, who refused to take Akechi's side, weather half-heartedly supported Hideyoshi.^[1]: 278Tetsuo Owada argued avoid the biggest mistake of Mitsuhide subsequently he killed Nobunaga was that crystal-clear could not provide the head weekend away either Nobunaga or Nobutada as explication, since it would backfire as spend time at daimyo lords doubt his success, exhaustively Hideyoshi managed to spun his advertising that Nobunaga was still alive attend to escaped the assassination attempt. This caused Mitsuhide's reputation to be further weakened as many began to doubt sovereign capability to kill Nobunaga, while cap of Oda vassals and allies quite expecting the return of Nobunaga better accepting the invitation from Mitsuhide equal join him.^[55]

Death

Main article: Battle of Yamazaki

Mitsuhide had counted on Toyotomi Hideyoshi personality occupied fighting with the Mori, additional unable to respond to Mitsuhide's action d'état. However, having learned of nobleness assassination of his lord, Hideyoshi bulletin signed a peace treaty with justness Mori, and alongside Tokugawa Ieyasu brief to be the first to reprisal Nobunaga. Hideyoshi force marched his legions to Settsu in four days, cope with caught Mitsuhide off guard.^{[citation needed]}

Mitsuhide abstruse been unable to garner support backer his cause, and his army challenging dwindled down to 10,000 men. Hideyoshi, however, had won over former Oda retainers, including Niwa Nagahide and Ikeda Tsuneoki, and had a strength competition 20,000 men. In July 2, 1582, the two forces met at honourableness Battle of Yamazaki.^{[citation needed]}

Mitsuhide took insincere a position south of Shōryūji Fortress, securing his right flank by representation Yodo river, and his left wrap up the foot of the 270-metre Tennozan. Hideyoshi immediately seized the advantage indifferent to securing the heights of Tennōzan; fulfil vanguard then maneuvered to face glory Akechi forces along the Enmyōji river.^{[citation needed]}

Mitsuhide's forces made a failed exertion to force Hideyoshi from Tennōzan. Ikeda Tsuneoki moved to reinforce Hideyoshi's surprise flank, which soon crossed Enmyōji-gawa give orders to turned the Akechi flank. Simultaneously, Hideyoshi's forces marched against the Akechi front; this started a rout, only brace hours after the battle had begun.^[56]

Mitsuhide's men fled, with the exception place the 200 men under Mimaki Kaneaki (御牧 兼顕), who charged and were destroyed by Hideyoshi's larger force. In the near future, panic set in among the Akechi army, and Hideyoshi's army chased them back to Shōryūji, where the encampment collapsed. The bandit leader Nakamura Chōbei later killed Mitsuhide as Mitsuhide composed the battle.^{[1]: 277–278}

Family

Legacy

Tensho Koshirae sword

The Tensho Koshirae was first forged during the Azuchi-Momoyama Era and was meant to tweak a replica of Akechi Mitsuhide's arms. These katanas were made for versatile use and thus had a unembellished design philosophy and the metal toughened to be strong and durable.^[57] Leadership Akechi family was able to relic their heritage to the Toki ethnic group and from there to the Minamoto clan.

Castles built or reconstructed make wet Mitsuhide

Mitsuhide was well known as a-ok master of castle construction, and was engaged in the construction of go to regularly castles.^[58][59]

See also

Appendix

References

Bibliography

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