Akechi Mitsuhide - Definition and Overview

Shrine to Akechi Mitsuhide, Kyoto

Akechi Mitsuhide (明智 光秀; 1528 - 1582) was a samurai who was a general under Oda Nobunaga and later assassinated his lord. His nickname was Jubei.

Born in Mino province (now Gifu prefecture) as a descendant of the shugo Toki clan, Mitsuhide began serving Nobunaga after Nobunaga's conquest of Mino province in 1566 and received Sakamoto (in Omi, 100,000 koku) in 1571.

In 1579, he captured Yakami Castle from Hatano Hideharu by taking Hideharu's mother hostage. This accomplished Mitsuhide's goal but Nobunaga had the woman executed (crucified?). Naturally this did not make the Hatano family happy and a short while later several of Hideharu's (ex-?) retainers murdered Akechi Mitsuhide's mother. Mitsuhide blamed Nobunaga for his mother's death and the attack at Honnoji on June 21, 1582 was his revenge. When they found out about the assassination, both Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu rushed to be the first to avenge Nobunaga and take his place. Hideyoshi got to Mitsuhide first. Mitsuhide survived for 13 days, until he was defeated by Hideyoshi at the Battle of Yamazaki.

His third daughter was Hosokawa Gracia.

The article incorporates text from OpenHistory.