The Demon King’s Demise: Oda Nobunaga Fate at Honnō-ji Temple

A woodblock prints by Nobukazu Yosai in Meiji period (2868 - 1923). It portrays an attack A woodblock prints by Nobukazu Yosai in Meiji period (1868 - 1923). (Picture retrieved from Birmingham Museum of Art)

Ahoy, Chrononauts! Once more, we set sail on the boundless sea of time, charting a course through the annals of Japanese history. Today, our journey leads us to a somber chapter. Join us as we delve into the depths of this historical abyss, where the mighty Oda Nobunaga, one of Japan's great unifiers, met his untimely demise in a tumultuous event that shook the very foundation of an empire.

The Japanese history, akin to the narratives of many nations, is segmented into three distinct periods: the prehistoric to classical period, the feudal period, and the modern period. Our focus today will primarily center on Japan's feudal epoch, specifically honing in on the Sengoku period.

The Sengoku period, also known as the Warring States period in Japanese history, witnessed near-constant civil conflicts and societal upheavals throughout the 15th and 16th centuries. In this period, the usual relationship between a leader and their followers fell apart. Followers would sometimes overthrow their leader, causing disputes within the leader's family and followers. There were also many rebellions and power struggles among different branches of the family. These conflict occasionally resulted in samurai rising to become powerful warlords knows as "sengoku daimyo". One of the renowned daimyo and famous unifiers of Japan is Oda Nobunaga from Owari.

Oda Nobunaga (織田 信長) was a prominent Japanese daimyō who played a pivotal role in the Sengoku and Azuchi-Momoyama periods. Renowned as the "Great Unifier" of Japan, he held the esteemed title of Tenka-bito (天下人) means “person under heaven”. Nobunaga's legacy remains profound in Japanese history, standing alongside his loyal allies Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu as one of the nation's esteemed unifiers. 

(Left) A reproduction of a portrait named "Oda Nobunaga," housed at Sanpoji Temple in Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture. The original artist remains unidentified. (Right) The painting depicting Oda Nobunaga, housed at Chōkō-ji, is designated as an Important Cultural Property.

He had various nicknames and “The Demon King” became his most unique nickname. Oda Nobunaga earned that nickname because of his cruel model of government and monarchy. In the culmination of the Sengoku period, Oda Nobunaga, with his other unifiers allies, was only a few steps away from achieving his dream of unifying Japan. Alas, Oda Nobunaga’s dream had to end in the hands of his most trusted general named Akechi Mitsuhide. 

He was known by various nicknames, yet it was "The Demon King" that stood out prominently. Oda Nobunaga earned this title due to his strict governance style and authoritarian leadership. In the culmination of the Sengoku period, Nobunaga, alongside his fellow unifiers, was only a few steps away from his dream of a unified Japan. However, tragically, Nobunaga's vision was abruptly cut short by the treacherous hand of his own once-trusted general, Akechi Mitsuhide, in a tragic event known as The Honnō-ji Incident.

The Honnōji Incident was coup orchestrated by Akechi Mitsuhide against Oda Nobunaga during the early hours of June 21, 1582. It stands as one of the pivotal moments in the Sengoku Jidai, culminating in the death of Oda Nobunaga. Despite its renown, scant details are available regarding the specifics of the confrontation and the motivations behind Mitsuhide's sudden betrayal of his lord.

Beginning of Incident

Nobunaga was advancing toward conquering Japan. In early 1582, after defeating the Takeda Army at the Battle of Tenmokuzan, he controlled central Japan. The remaining threats were the Hōjō, Mōri, and Uesugi clans, but they were weakened by internal conflicts. Nobunaga deployed his generals to various regions: Shibata Katsuie to Echigo, Taigawa Kazumasu to monitor the Hōjō clan, and Niwa Nagahide to prepare for a Shikoku invasion. Meanwhile, Toyotomi Hideyoshi sought Nobunaga's aid against Mōri Terumoto's forces surrounding Takamatsu. Upon learning of the situation, Nobunaga interrupted his tour with Tokugawa Ieyasu to prepare for battle, leaving Ieyasu to continue. Nobunaga ordered his trusted general, Akechi Mitsuhide, to go first to the battlefield to help Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Nobunaga made a stop in Kyōto at Honnōji before heading to Takamatsu. Only court officials, merchants, artists, and servants were with Nobunaga.

The Incident

Screenshot of Oda Nobunaga at the burning Honnōji Temple in Samurai Warriors 4 video game.

Upon receiving Nobunaga's orders, Mitsuhide returned to Sakamoto Castle and then relocated his base to Tamba Province. During a collaborative poetry session, Mitsuhide hinted at his betrayal with the opening line of a poem, suggesting the opportune moment had arrived. He learned of Nobunaga's presence at Honnōji and seized the chance to strike, knowing Nobunaga's defenses were weak and his main forces were distant. Pretending to follow orders, Mitsuhide led his army toward Kyōto, but upon crossing the Katsura River, he revealed his true intentions. Surrounding Honnōji before dawn, Mitsuhide's forces caught Nobunaga off guard. Despite Nobunaga's attempts to resist, the outnumbered defenders were overwhelmed. Honnōji was set ablaze, likely by Nobunaga's page or Mitsuhide's army. Nobunaga performed seppuku, with his loyal page Ranmaru assisting, before the temple succumbed to flames. Following the capture of Honnōji, Mitsuhide targeted Nijō Castle, where Nobunaga's heir, Nobutada, met a similar fate.

Aftermath

The Honnōji Incident marked a pivotal moment in the Sengoku Jidai as Oda Nobunaga, the most promising contender to unify Japan in over a century, met his demise. His death sent shockwaves through the Oda army, but the situation was complicated for his generals. Tokugawa Ieyasu, still touring the Kansai region, rushed back to Mikawa upon hearing the news, guided by Hattori Hanzō. However, by the time Ieyasu returned and prepared to retaliate against Mitsuhide, Toyotomi Hideyoshi had taken charge.

Meanwhile, Takigawa Kazumasu, tasked with monitoring the Hōjō clan, faced attacks that cost him both territory and prestige within the Oda clan. Shibata Katsuie was unable to act against Mitsuhide due to a Uesugi counterattack in Echizen Province, which kept him occupied. Eventually, it was Hideyoshi who took decisive action. He forged a peace treaty with the Mōri clan and joined forces with Niwa Nagahide and Oda Nobutaka at Ōsaka before confronting Mitsuhide at Yamazaki, where Mitsuhide met his end.

As for Mitsuhide, he retreated to Azuchi Castle and rewarded his men with its riches, declaring himself shōgun for a brief period. However, his actions led to his isolation, with even his ally Hosokawa Fujitaka cutting ties. Mitsuhide's daughter, Gracia, was spared and sent away. When Hideyoshi swiftly counterattacked, Mitsuhide's army was defeated at Yamazaki, and Mitsuhide himself perished, though some theories suggest he may have escaped and lived in seclusion.

The Honnōji Incident marked a turning point in Japanese history, with the untimely demise of Oda Nobunaga sending shockwaves through the nation. Who could have imagined that a daimyo renowned across Japan, with ambitions to unify the nation—a goal seemingly within reach—would ultimately find his dreams shattered by the actions of his own subordinates? As the dust settled, power dynamics shifted, and figures like Tokugawa Ieyasu and Toyotomi Hideyoshi emerged to fill the void left by Nobunaga's fall. Their decisive actions reshaped the course of history, heralding a new era in the turbulent saga of Japan's unification. 

As we bid farewell to this chapter, let us remember the lessons of the past and the indomitable spirit of those who dared to carve their destinies in the sands of time, for it is through adversity that legends are forged and the legacy of the fallen live on in history. Farewell, Chrononauts, until we meet again on our next journey through the corridors of time.