In Defense of Akechi Mitsuhide

Akechi Mitsuhide, known widely as the greatest traitor in Japanese history, but also as perhaps Japan's greatest mystery. Let us explore this fascinating and influential figure, to discover the truth that may lie beneath the story of his legendary betrayal.
More "In Defense of" videos:
In Defense of Imagawa Yoshimoto: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2TdeoeHlLqhfdE
In Defense of Takeda Katsuyori: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i57QloBteK6FZrc
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Sources:
Passages from "The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga" by Ota Gyuichi
"Hideyoshi" by Marry Elizabeth Berry
"On Haiku" by Hiroaki Sato
"Legends of the Samurai" by Hiroaki Sato
"History of the Samurai" by Jonathan Lopez-Vera
"Samurai Battles" by Michael Sharpe
Various articles from the Japanese Wiki Corpus, including www.japanesewiki.com/person/Mitsuhide%20AKECHI.html
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Music:
"Gotama the Buddha" by Akira Ifukube
Artwork and Images:
The Samurai Portraits used are from the "Nobunaga's Ambition" Series and are the property of Koei Tecmo.
Classical art, which in most cases can be considered public domain.
Art from Osprey Publications.
Other modern artist renditions, if you see your work in this video please contact me so that I can give you proper credit!
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Social Media:
Facebook: theshogunateyoutube
Twitter: ShogunateThe
Support the channel on Patreon! www.patreon.com/theshogunateyt?fan_landing=true
#Samurai #History #Japan

[@nm7358]

I already said it once: Mitsuhide was the 16th century Japan's version of an stressed out, bullied senior executive who goes postal, shows up at the POS boss's summer house in the weekend, and guns him and his own family down before torching the place. Then he shows up to the board meeting next Monday and is surprised that after making them a favour, nobody wants him as the new CEO.

[@nont18411]

Mitsuhide lived in a society

[@Dfathurr]

Reminds myself of Eiji Yoshikawa's narrative in novel "Taiko". Nobunaga really humiliate him in many ways possible, so Mitsuhide basically rebel out just to release his tantrum he held for past years

[@wilhelm7450]

He's literally me fr fr

[@MrGksarathy]

Yup. That's my take, especially because I have felt similarly underappreciated and worn down by my job and deeply resent my boss.

[@MrGksarathy]

@@Dfathurr He had to get out of that situation no matter what.

[@deadby15]

Historically, many in the Akechi Clan had served as the Shogunate Guardmen (奉公衆) even before Mitsuhide started to serve Ashikaga Yoshiaki, the last Ashikaga Shogun, personally. So, the Akechi clan's strong connection with Ashikaga shoguns predated Mitsuhide's employment at the Oda clan. It is quite possible Mitsuhide was given the order to assasinate Nobunaga by the former Shogun in exile. When Mitsuhide met Hideyoshi's forces at Yamazaki, many former Daimyos and retainers of the Ashikaga Shogun fought alongside with him, which seems to suggest that they believed Mitsuhide was trying to restore the Ashikaga Shogun's power. If that was indeed the case, Mitsuhide was not a traitor at all. On the contrary, he was a thru and thru Ashikaga loyalist who never forgot which family his clan had served for generations.

[@Hilversumborn]

I believe you’re on to something.

[@hueylongdong900]

This video has been sponsored by the Akechi clan

[@rickwong9049]

*Takes a deep breath* In defense of Kobayakawa Hideaki.

[@loneshinobi2682]

Second

[@nemesis3587]

Yes, that's an interesting take.

[@MrHDE-ex6xl]

@@loneshinobi2682 Third

[@DionysianLovecraftian]

I support interestingly enough having read more on him and the more I read about him the less I regard him in a bad light.

[@Kurt20051YT]

After watching Aoi Tokugawa Sandai, there is no way to defend Hideaki's actions lol

[@mgsxmike]

We wouldn't have gotten Samanosuke Akechi from Onimusha without Mitsuhide Akechi

[@judgedrekk2981]

Samanosuke is likely an insert by Capcom and not a real samurai of history but he's an awesome character none the less... Mitsuhide coulda had a nephew in his army that's possible but it never comes up in the reports lol

[@mgsxmike]

@@judgedrekk2981 Did you really just explain to me that a game character is a work of fiction?

[@LOOMING_WRAITH_OF_BAD_OMEN]

@@judgedrekk2981 Samanosuke is based on Akechi Hidemitsu, Mitsuhide's real life son-in-law. Sama-no-suke was a sort of title Hidemitsu was given, IIRC.

[@richardrobinson7429]

I wish I could like this 100x

[@satanwithinternet2753]

. . . Yea samanouski is from a video game franchise ofc he is fictional. So are most of his friends like ako, jacks, genma etc​@@judgedrekk2981

[@incartainfinite2454]

Nobunaga knew immediately the justification for the betrayal as soon as he heard that it was the Akechi Clan that had attacked. He fumbled the ball a few too many times and knew it too.

[@nont18411]

Nobunaga knew that it’s a part of the game. He might be mad that he died but it was like “GGWP”.

[@IsaacSperrow]

Who knows. Maybe Nobunaga was One Piece crying because he didn't expected Akechi to betray him and then he took his own life. Historians are just preserving his honor and dignity.

[@arielquelme]

Nah.. Actually from what modern historian consensus agreed. The main drive of Mitsuhide can only summed in one word: Ambition Despite many embellishments or eccentric conspiracy theories about the background. Historical accounts and logical consrquences didnt accept the "Nobunaga wronged Mitsuhide" since many of those theories appeared only from unverified secondary sources

[@nont18411]

Akechi Mitsuhide killed Oda Nobunaga But Toyotomi Hideyoshi killed the Oda clan Mitsuhide only got more flack because he couldn’t keep the throne more than 13 days while Hideyoshi kept his throne for 16 years. It’s all about might makes right and Hideyoshi was far mightier.

[@arielquelme]

Umm... No... Actually Oda direct bloodline were preserved until this day.. Mainly through Nobukatsu.. While Toyotomi/Hashiba main branch bloodline extinct in the siege of Osaka Ironiclally, Nobukatsu sided with Tokugawa during that siege So the more correct words actually "Oda killed Toyotomi"

[@briandinh9169]

Nobukatsu definitely played the long game

[@radhiteaji631]

nah, the oda clan survived through the ages, only Tokugawa that killed the Toyotomi entirely.

[@afternoonusual5196]

Not really, the Oda clan was already dead after both Nobunaga and Nobutada was killed because the other son's had little influence and wasnt at prominent as Nobutada. The son's were split between Hashiba and Ieyasu but werent strong enough to establish themselves independently and slowly their holdings got smaller and insignificant.

[@Ayem427]

​@@arielquelme They're making the point that Hideyoshi wiped them out as a political entity,not as a bloodline

[@romacechina]

Mitushide is such a fascinating figure because his betrayal and his reasons for it really are ripe for spectating, exploration as has been the case over the last 500 years. With historians, samurai fans, theorists and analyses going back and forth over everything from his ties, his relationships, actions and history throughout his life. Which has made for some fascinating portrayals of him from Kessen 3, where he is the main villain that we see throughout the game first with the Oda and getting hints he is up to no good with his scenes with Kitcho and scenes he has with Nobunaga, then seeing Honnojil and the aftermath of the What If scenario the game goes in afterwards with his final scene putting into context what drove his actions throughout. With the hard mode giving a few more scenes that adds a bit more, though not the option to play as him, which was a shame considering the other two Kessen games allowed us to play the other side we initially played as. To Samurai Warriors 5, that shows his years between leaving Mino, with the Asakura, with the future Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki and other stuff as well. To the Nioh series that portrays the idea of the legend around Tenkai and the Buddhist/mythology origins that surround Tenkai's character. Mitushide could not have foreseen just how far-reaching his actions would affect the era, Japan's history and the legacy as a whole. Whatever drove him, whether it was out of ambition? revenge over slights and actions done by Nobunaga? A play to restore the Ashikaga shogunate or merely a power play that caused him to get outplayed by the future Taiko? The fact we still talk, write about Akechi Mitsuhide to this day is a testament to his legacy and the actions he took in his life.

[@arielquelme]

Trust me, if you could understood japanese and active in Japan history discussions Mitsuhide's betrayal is the biggest mystery of Japan till now 😂 I lost count how much conspiracy theories both from expert historian communities to amateurs or fictional novelist about the reason of Mitsuhide betrayal. No concrete consensus has been formed till this day 🤣 The truth is still out there somewhere

[@RaginKavu]

From Shogun 2 to Persona 5, Akechi has solidified itself through the ages as a traitor's name.

[@grandmufftwerkin9037]

It's funny that you released this today, as I was thinking about Akechi Mitsuhide earlier while cutting my lawn with my lawn tractor. Some might wonder why I was thinking about Akechi Mitsuhide while cutting the grass; well it was either thinking about him, or the Roman Empire.

[@TheShogunate]

Makes sense!

[@judgedrekk2981]

you wouldn;t wanna know what i think of during grueling activities..... "I wonder if Dracula had to suffer such indignities at the end" "I wonder where the nukes will land when they fly.....just so i can get to ground zero" "why don't assassins kill actual evil men? why is it always those who preach peace?" actually that last one I may have answered, the world itself wants chaos....

[@satanwithinternet2753]

My ppl

[@akechijubeimitsuhide]

The parallels between the Sengoku Jidai and the late Roman Republic clusterfuck would be worth its own video. Ieyasu and Octavianus especially played similar roles in ending the conflict. And Cato would feel right at home among samurai. Bit of a stretch but also: Sen no Rikyu and Petronius. Both doomed aesthetes serving a tyrant with atrociously bad taste.

[@DonnellGreen]

@@akechijubeimitsuhide Dont Sleep on Fall of Western Rome either (395-476) or Crisis of the 3rd century

[@nont18411]

In defense of Ishida Mitsunari or Yodo Dono next. It’s baffling how these two got so much hate for going against the shogun Ieyasu. Meanwhile, figures like Sanada Yukimura, Sanada Masayuki and Toyotomi Hideyori got so much love from historians and general populace even though these three were also in the same team (the western army) as the two hated ones.

[@whyamisad5740]

Yeah, a Mitsunari themed video of this kind is definetly needed

[@TheMercian13]

Mitsunari definitely. Yoro Dono was just dumb.

[@arielquelme]

Mitsunari was literally inflexible Peoples tends to say "he was just bureucrat who not cut for military affairs" But no, Even in the field of politic, he kinda sucks too... He made good works on making too many enemies as the likes of Fukushima Masanori, Kuroda clan, Kato Kiyomasa, Todo Takatora etc sided with Ieyasu instead

[@arielquelme]

Gotta agree with above, Yodo-Dono single handedly caused the Toyotomi clan annihilated with her ego 😅 She could just teach Hideyori to lay low his head... so Toyotomi line could survive.. But no....

[@Conn30Mtenor]

a Japanese version of the "Lost Cause" myth.

[@TheMercian13]

Another great video. It was most informative. I didn’t know the theory that he survived and became a monk. Every day is a school day!

[@Ayem427]

Honestly considering his deep convictions to Buddhism I wouldn't put it past him to bow out after he was beaten and retreat to the monastic life

[@jasonmerritt1203]

That theory is even more interesting because not only does this theory suggest that he survived the battle of Yamazaki and became a monk going by the name Tenkai Nankobo but that he also went on to serve Ieyasu Tokugawa and 2 more Tokugawa shoguns as an advisor

[@akechijubeimitsuhide]

Thanks :D I've tried to explain Mitsuhide to people who don't know much about the era as "ok, imagine about 80% Brutus and 20% Macbeth".

[@AMB-c4c]

Perfect description!

[@nont18411]

He’s more like Jaime Lannister

[@jeffreygao3956]

I insist Benedict Arnold is a saint compared to Mitsuhide.

[@stefanostefanovic5809]

i never knew how interesting mitsuhide was. Thank you for this video

[@historyprofiles]

Incredible video! I have recently been entranced by Japanese history! Your explanation and presentation is impeccable as is the feel of immersion in your videos! Amazing video sir!

[@TheShogunate]

Thank you! I've been noticing your great videos as well!

[@solidraven6986]

Damn todays a good day..found out this girl likes me from work, gonna meet up with some buddies and play mtg and a new bio vid from the shogunate...what else can you asked for?

[@satanwithinternet2753]

Hey that's great man. Have a good date and keep up the good work 💪

[@nobunagaoda6605]

I'm very happy to have seen this video about touching upon Mitsuhide. For years people have either portrayed him as either "The Traitor that killed Nobuanga" or "The Loyal General of the Oda" or a combination of the two and have yet to fully understand the mystery behind Mitsuhide's life since most have only focused upon the Honnoji incident itself. I will admit myself. For years I held a grudge and bias towards Mitsuhide Akechi when I began to delve into Japanese history upon reading about the Sengoku period- But- Seeing this video has now made me appreciate Mitsuhide Akechi more than just a historical figure of note- But as a unique individual to have lived. Especially in an age of chaos and war in Sengoku Japan. To say that Mitsuhide's betrayal was selfish and ambitious that greatly altered the course for Japan- Would only be looking at the smaller picture of his life than looking at a much grander picture. Besides, betrayal and coups were already common place in Sengoku Japan, even before the Honnoji Incident. Sure- Previous incidents may not have been history-changing significant as the Honnoji Incident- But those previous incidents did play their part- And I will say- Honnoji was the most significant shockwave that has greatly altered the course of Japanese history. Perhaps years later we will find more information on Mitsuhide Akechi and perhaps unveil the truth behind his betrayal. But all-in-all, what's done is done. Thank you very much for this video Shogunate.

[@mune.t8691]

Another thing to say about Mitsuhide (mainly about his last defeat) is that he had not much of a chance of defeating his enemies so quickly. Just 1/2 weeks from Honnoji was ver little time to actually assemble a proper army, not only because of the chaos around the chapittal and all the areas around it that belonged to the Oda and would clearly have resistance against the traitors, but also because the Hashiba made it to Yamazaki in only 10 days, which was not a reallistics time for any army to arrive from the west, so this cought Mitsuhide and his forces off-guard, adding more chaos to the organization of his armies and newly form "clan" or "faction". And on top of that, even if he would have managed to defeat the Hashiba withouth the Hosokawa, he would still have to had defeated more armies like the ones of Nobunaga's sons and the armiers of Shibata Katsuhie, all that in a short period of time and with less troups each time, and all of that witouth someone else attacking him while fighthing. Personally, I think he had no real change of winning in the long run, even he would have won Yamazaki.

[@nicholasgutierrez9940]

Yeah he would have been screwed. Not a very smart idea but he had won against bigger odds before with Nobunaga

[@sumedhraosurendramalandkar4056]

Not really. Had he defeated Hideyoshi, he would have first caused Chaos amongst the Oda retainers. Perhaps some enemies of the Oda like the Uesugi, Mori might have rose up in his support if the news of Nobunaga's death was publicised

[@WildWombats]

He didn't do enough preparation in advance and ensure enough people were on his side, I think it could have been done but he just didn't play his cards right.

[@sebastianpijov8708]

​@@sumedhraosurendramalandkar4056The Mori were too far away to aid him in any significant manner, and although the Uesugi would aid against Shibata Katsuie, they wouldn't be able to help against the rest of the Oda or more significantly Tokugawa Ieyasu.

[@arielquelme]

​@@sumedhraosurendramalandkar4056 Uesugi no.. Their condition at that time were not well enpugh after civil war bwtween two of Kenshin's successor Mori is probable, theyre still strong at that moment... Even Hideyoshi need to make trucr with them first before race to Yamazaki

[@afternoonusual5196]

The fact that he couldnt rally enough support after his coup showed how less influence he thought he had. For me the question was what if Nobutada lived for he had such a big future.

[@corvusglaive4804]

Thank you, excellent video! When you break down just how many other people also rebelled against Nobunaga, it becomes clear that there was always trouble in the Oda paradise. I think Akechi had been planning to destroy Nobunaga all along but kept a good poker face right up to Honnoji. Either he felt thst Nobunaga hadn't earned unswerving loyalty or he felt that a Japan united under him would be a dreadful place.

[@khal7702]

Can't wait to watch this! Even tho Oda Nobunaga is my favorite Daimyo n Unifier, Akechi Mitsuhide is my favorite of his retainers.

[@michaeldiaz4563]

"June...1582... The Temple Honnoji, Kyoto.... Nobunaga Oda, betrayed by his retainer Mitsuhide Akechi, vanished forever in a sea of crimson flames." I love this detailed video on the Man Who Murdered The Demon King yet whose motives behind this betrayal has remained a mystery for many centuries... Thank you for laying out the possible reasons and going through each one of them in such detail.

[@kl271]

yes this is what I was hoping for!

[@arielquelme]

Would be interesting & out of the box if u made "in defense of Matsunaga Hisahide"

[@cvmbri]

Thanks for the upload. Love your narrations, especially paired with the information. Thanks man.

[@sebhhh]

I just love this channel I always watch a video everyday I love Japanese history keep up the good work!

[@-RONNIE]

Thank you for another really good video 👊🏻 keep up the good work

[@EVAATfield]

This was really good. You should just make this a series “”Traitors” of ancient Japan”

[@Arms.Enthusiast]

I find it interesting that you felt the need to title this “in defence of” because I think it shows something which may not be a good habit of the English speaking community when discussing the sengoku period. There is a tendency to stick very closely to Nobunaga, and his “successors” in Hideyoshi and Ieyasu when discussing the historical order of events during the sengoku period. This isn’t without cause as all these characters are obviously very much at the heart of those contemporary political struggles. However, it appears to me to lead to a sort of “protagonist syndrome” in which we root for and morally praise those central figures of Nobunaga and company, while seeing any opposition that they had face as either facile or malicious. Creating this kind of narrative which applies strong personal biases for and against certain historical persons in a conflict which is for all intents and purposes alien to us might limit the ways we are able to think about and discuss this history. Or worse, it may make us inclined to ignore or even vindicate actions taken by “the protagonists of history” regardless of whether they were just, informed, or appropriate. Akechi Mitsuhide, should he have succeeded in his coup would have likely gone down in sengoku history as a protagonist, but he lost and thus is demonized as conniving and weak willed (in his betrayal).

[@LOOMING_WRAITH_OF_BAD_OMEN]

You've overexplained the simple concept of "history is written by the victors".

[@arielquelme]

@@LOOMING_WRAITH_OF_BAD_OMEN i think what he want to convey is english speaking audience has bad comprehension about sengoku war politics

[@Apologetic231]

I am glad i learned about him frol Samurai warriors 5

[@jimross7648]

Yes, I did enjoy this video. Which was even more than I thought I would, which was already a lot. As always I learned things far beyond the surface level that I had previously known. The problem with history is that there are rarely enough remaining writings of contemporaries to get an accurate portrait of an individual. So much of what we call historical sources were written well after the events happened, by authors who weren't present at the events they describe. The documents were usually written to support some person or cause with a historical figure to bolster the actions then taking place. The reasons for Mitsuhide's actions were always somewhat murky. You have provided contexts that I had both read about, and never heard of before. The surviving as a monk I had never previously heard of. Although a fascinating story and theory, I don't give it much credence beyond wouldn't that have been amazing if it had happened. So many historical figures have had similar tales told about surviving a well believed death, and then assuming another character and living quiet reflective lives. Mitsuhide was too well known due to his past exploits to not be known and recognized. This was yet another in the long line of amazing, and thought provoking content that you continually produce.

[@TheShogunate]

Thanks man!

[@bigego503]

Thank you for an excellent discussion on one of the most intriguing characters in the whole warring states period. I've been curious about Mitsuhide since I first became aware of the history of this time in Japan. As you point out there are no hard and fast answers to the why, only speculation. Greatly enjoyed this well done vid

[@nobuyumi8029]

This was a wonderful video. I have always been a fan of Mitsuhide and I am so glad you added the Tenkai bit at the end. Personally I believe Tenkai to be either Akechi Hidemitsu or Akechi Mitsuyoshi.

[@johnpittsii7524]

Thanks for the video ❤

[@kaidorade1317]

I know this is unrelated but I have around 7 hours left of the audiobook The Shogun Part 1. Thanks for piquing my interest with your mini tv series review so that I picked up said audiobook. I also picked up the original James Cameron film of the book as well!

[@Ren_Brands]

Great Video, Akechi Mitsuhide is one of my favourite Historical figures.

[@afiqrizwan02]

finally man, it's valid why he betrayed Oda Nobunaga

[@DJFlowers1995]

And with this video, I finally subscribed to your channel.

[@basketballgoku]

This is gonna sound weird but this topic is my longest lasting hyperfixation about the Sengoku era, and I been waiting for this video for a WHILE! I remember you mentioning you were planning on doing it a while back in one of your older videos. I think the timing is perfect considering the announcement of AC: Shadows and the reveal that the story will focus on Yasuke, and, possibly by extension, Nobunaga and even Mitsuhide as well. I know that the choice to play as Yasuke is controversial for some. I would have preferred a story from Mitsuhide or one of his allies’ point of view, instead. But I’m at least glad we’re getting a story about this group. Tbh, I’m a little burnt out on “we must aid Lord Tokugawa” stories lol.

[@snowshock8958]

Well 26:52, clearly Ubisoft had a lot to cook with Akechi Mitsuhide becoming some sort of Assasin mentor or what not.

[@arielquelme]

@@snowshock8958 yeah, perhaps Ubisoft coulf polish the story of Mitsuhide expelling Yasuke from Japan because "he is just an animal" here

[@snowshock8958]

@@arielquelme I doubt Ubisoft would do that. Obviously Yasuke in AC will be secretly (impossible though) in Japan active somehow and helping, I heard”secretly unifying Japan” with Naoe. And I believe if ISU are involved, I won’t be surprised if Naoe is the reincarnation of a Japanese deities like Izanami. And yasuke a Japanese spirit of some sort.

[@arielquelme]

@@snowshock8958 🤣

[@thomasmcdonald529]

Ohh yes, I've been waiting for this. More than meets the eye.

[@loneronin6813]

I always find it strange that popular media often portrays Akechi as an expert swordsman when he was historically known as a mediocre swordsman, but skilled with the spear and arquebus. As for the theory of him taking up the life of a monk in the service of Tokugawa Ieyasu, I have one question: If this theory were true, do you think Ieyasu ever recognized his old fellow general? Did it go unspoken, and bygones were left to be bygones, or did he just never notice? I would think Ieyasu would've noticed and said nothing because had Nobunaga not been killed, Tokugawa may never have held the power he did while he had it, so perhaps in a way he would've felt he owed Akechi his life in return. Honestly if I had even suspected someone who had been considered a traitor to be that close to me, I would assume he would try again and have him killed or imprisoned or something. Then again, I suppose killing a monk wouldn't look too good to everyone else, regardless of who he may or may not have been or actually be. Either it would be a complex situation or I'm overthinking it, or both. This is why I should have nothing to do with politics considering there are other angles I thought of that I won't even bother going into lol

[@js-fd1ri]

このチャンネルの動画は、常に地に足がついていて素晴らしい👍

[@TheOldTeddy]

Another I plan to watch again.

[@thekinghass]

It cells so weird and consensual that today I have watched the betrayal in your mean series only for you hour later uploaded video about that event

[@nemesis3587]

Sengoku era just proved nobody's hands are clean and nobody have rightful motives, everybody just followed their own ambition. Akechi probably had his reasons to angry Nobunaga but I belive he had his own ambitiones. Like all traitors he waited for opportunity. I think the biggest mystery is who promised to support him? Emperor? Former Shogun? Hosokawas? Hideyoshi? Ieyasu? Without a support a traitor not has courage to betray. And like all traitors he betrayed as well. None of his conspirators helped him after Honnoji.

[@bb1111116]

Even though Nobunaga is known as one of the unifiers of Japan, it is also known that he was a brutal tyrant. In Japan there are festivals which honor Mitsuhide. I see him as a hero. Loyalty is very important but there is a limit to it when repeated mass murder is involved. (See the 2024 Shogun series for a dramatization of this idea.)

[@Seraphil1]

Y'know who I think could use an "In Defense of"? Hojo Ujimasa. I remember for the longest time he was viewed as a loser heir to Ujiyasu, and there's the phrase "Odawara Conference" mocking him and his clan, when really, the forces Hideyoshi brought against him were unprecedented. Yet I think he was a very competent successor, probably one of the best when it comes to the heirs of legendary daimyo. Compared to guys like Imagawa Ujizane, or Oda Nobukatsu, or Otomo Yoshimune, or Mori Terumoto, and so on.

[@EternalVirgin]

I wouldn't say Ujimasa was a very competent successor, I'd say he's a decent successor with competent brothers around to help him (Ujikuni, Ujiteru, etc)

[@kaanalpkaratas6091]

The reason why Oda Nobunaga is called "Demon" is that Ikko Ikki monks of the time gave the name due to Honganji Temple burning. After executing Mitsuhide's entire family, Nobunaga really had it coming.

[@greensoldier2142]

"Nobunaga was after his own ambition" gives the same vibe as "We'll counter and strike them in a global offensive"

[@EternalVirgin]

"You did it Nobunaga, you truly had an Ambition: Awakening (with Power-Up Kit)"

[@ILikeCoconutsLots]

No we don’t know for certain that Yasuke was given the rank of samurai since the word samurai wasn’t used officially for around 50 years after his time. We know for certain that he was regarded as a warrior and was granted an estate, however he was not expected to commit seppuku when other nobles were which suggests that he was regarded as something else. A highly respected individual, but samurai always made a point about their particular family lineage which Yasuke of course didn’t have being a foreigner. Perhaps he was considered a samurai by people using that term, but the sources do not explicitly refer to him as samurai.

[@benjamingoto2099]

I feel like it was critical missing information that Nobunaga got his mom killed that I never heard before.

[@TheShogunate]

It's an Edo period story so it's very likely just a myth.

[@FinnishDragon]

My guess is that Akechi Mitsuhide was outraged when Nobunaga destroyed the Ashikaga shogunate because Mitsuhide served the shogun before he joined Nobunaga. If that is true, then Mitsuhide probably patiently waited for a good chance to avenge the final downfall of the Ashikaga shogunate. Since the Ashikaga shogunate was gone I suspect that Mitsuhide wanted to restore (almost 300 years earlier than it historically happened) the Imperial power. IMHO, the word 'heaven' in Japan and China could mean the emperor. I suspect that is what Mitsuhide meant by his poem. In China, the emperor was the Son of Heaven and he needed the Mandate of Heaven to justify his rule.

[@SasoriZert]

Still think the dude is the embodiment of doing something half cooked.... dude betrayed the most powerful man in Japan and thought he could get away with it when almost everyone beside the man he killed actually liked him. All the other Oda genrals hated this man if not outright habored grudges against him

[@IsaiahRodriguez-vx4gd]

Not exactly, I think he took a very rare opportunity at Nobunaga in a vulnerable position. I think he gambled on more generals sympathizing with him against Nobunaga and they probably did. But this was Sengoku Jidai and everyone was out for themselves, I believe Toyotomi Hideyoshi only avenged Nobunaga because he had the foresight to see that Japanese propriety would establish him as Taiko. Hell both he and Tokugawa Ieyasu literally raced to avenge him because it would place them in power. Self-serving ambitions only excluded rare unicorns like Honda Todakatsu and Uesugi Kenshin who actually put honor and morality above personal gain.

[@SasoriZert]

@@IsaiahRodriguez-vx4gd Yes and the big diffrence between those two and Mitsuhide is they had loyal followers while he only had what a small army of soldiers and some rag tag bunch of third class generals on his side. They went into their plans with great care and thought they didn't race as you say they did, both where playing chess while Mitsuhide played checkers. Hideyoshi did do it at first for Oda that man would been a peasent working the fields if it wasn't for him so I believe he did want to avenge him. But like all of us would done in his shoes once he realized he could take over he did.

[@Grand_Master12312]

Even mori didn't want to attack hideyoshi😂

[@arielquelme]

Such rare saints i got in the name of Tachibana Dosetsu instead.. Lately i grew some love for this man career.. And IMO he is more awesome than both Kenshin or Tadakatsu

[@arielquelme]

@SasoriZert yes and no.. Ieyasu has his companies of hereditary vassals who served Tokugawa/Matsudaira clan for generations Hideyoshi? Nope.. He literally from peasant class.. So he had no established vassals on his own Many of his later generals were actually startups too like Fukushima Masanori, Otani Yoshiysugu or Kato Kiyomasa

[@EternalVirgin]

"The time is now, as the rain falls down, in the fifth month" -Poem attributed to Akechi Mitsuhide, reportedly written just before the Honno-ji Incident.

[@grimexecutioner]

You should do videos on the nioh series

[@SgramITA91]

It's incredible how much similiar were Nobunaga and Caesar, both increased their power through conquest, both fought battle where they had a great numerical disadvantage but managed to win, and both were betrayed and killed at the highest of their power.

[@bulletflight]

In defense of Imagawa Ujizane, Saito Tatsuoki or Matsudaira Nobuyasu next?

[@ninjammer726]

please do a in defense video of nobunaga oda and date masamune

[@Landshark4008]

Luv me Akechi Mitsuhide, Luv me Shogunate simple as

[@GatekeeperGuardian-wv3cd]

I always kinda viewed Mitsuhide as the character David Spade seemed to always play in the 80s: The cynical assistant who has to constantly babysit an overgrown child. Except in Mitsuhide's case that overgrown child had a very strange habit of being callously consequentialist when he decided to take things seriously.

[@Guntank]

I'd like to see an In Defence of video made for the notorious Matsunaga Hisahide (aka the "Shogun-killer") one day. That said, Nobunaga's issue is that he is in essence an EXTREMELY talented manchild. He's daring in innovating new ways, used to doing things with blatant disdain for traditional rules, and curious about all sorts of things and can spend incredible focus and time examining people and things that hold his interest, like Firearms, Western Clothing, Economical Warfare, Yasuke etc. But at the same time, Nobunaga is spoiled rotten, he's infamous for some VERY wild mood swings and temper tantrums, and if he loses interest in you, he *will* discard and utterly snub you at best (i.e. what happened to Nobuhide Sakuma after Honganji), or kick you around at worst for the smallest things that displease him. It would totally fit the bill that Mitsuhide was repeatedly on the receiving end of being kicked around like a ball by Nobunaga just because 'for the lolz'; rumors that Nobunaga physically beat Mitsuhide for serving fish not to his liking while hosting Ieyasu one day, and then had his lands taken away as punishment, were probably not altogether unfounded either, or at least, Mitsuhide had every reason to fear Nobunaga would do that given how he had treated other subordinates before, even Hideyoshi...

[@TheStrategos392]

The title of the video definitely got my attention. The next question is how this fool thought he could assassinate Oda and not face the consequences.

[@whyamisad5740]

Even in dishonor, one may, occasionally, find honor. This is the case for Mitsuhide, in my opinion. He betrayed his lord, thus brought great dishonor unto his family and name but I'm most certain, the right thing came out of it. Well, he wasn't the sole traitor actually, almost all of Nobunaga's top generals betrayed his family after his death. Hideyoshi, for example, just isn't remembered for it that much since he managed to survive the turmoil afterwards quite well and sort of managed to lay the foundation on which Ieyasu would build his shōgunate. But after all, it was mostly Hashiba Hideyoshi who usurped the Oda, since their inner unity was pitifully weak. Generally, I wouldn't trust in the idea that with Oda Nobunaga at the top, Japan could've been sincerely unified the way the Tokugawa managed to in the end. He just doesn't seem to be the guy for it and I doubt evenmore that one of his family members would've done a better job. Nobunaga simply was too opportunistic, even by macchiavellian standards. And he's grown careless in the end, the same thing goes with Hideyoshi. Both made mistakes they could've very well avoided that ultimately led to their clan's downfall. Anyway, Mitsuhide is mostly remembered for being this, a traitor. I doubt that he did it for the greater good of Japan but no matter his intentions, the consequences count. That is a lesson worthy of remembering. But anyway, I probably only write like this since I, personally, don't particulary like Nobunaga or the Oda in general.

[@arielquelme]

Well.. In case of "betrayal"... Either get rich or die tryin U either go ballin' like Todo Takatora or Mizuno Katsunari Or go down as traitor in history book like Akechi Mitsuhide Sometimes history judged by the success..

[@whyamisad5740]

well said, same thing with Toyotomi Hideyoshi or even Tokugawa Ieyasu

[@arsenymun2028]

Akechi here. Thanks man

[@dannygreenland4853]

An interesting Video as usual great work, It that allows me to learn more about him. BUT that doesn't mean I like Mitsuhide or ever will, he's a traitor who got what he deserved in the end in my opinion, still, the idea of the other life as a monk was also used in Onimusha so who knows. It's kind of amusing that he served the Tokugawa, Although I despise him U can't say his actions didn't hold merit, Nobunaga was seen as evil by many and if the stories are true then Mitsuhide had reasons for doing what he did. I do find it strange that he felt just because he killed Nobunaga that Nobunaga's vessels would serve him the more likely scenario is they would want blood, I'm not sure if this was true but I heard Katsuie never liked Mitsuhide, so if Hideyoshi would not have done what he did Katsuie and Toshiie would have attacked him who knows what would have happened then.

[@ikmalkamal5830]

Thank you for this video man. I learnt more about the guy now. Still absolutely hate him though. Nobunaga was about to create an empire and usher in an age of imperial might, but the bastard here castrated that hope, and delayed Japan's glory for centuries. Still utterly despise him, but this video does add some nuance to a 'complicated' individual.

[@rama-n-i]

What do you mean in his defense?! You’re no Samurai…. *sniff

[@zeke7457]

Just one year before the Honnoji Incident, Akechi Mitsuhide left a message of gratitude to Nobunaga in his diary. And the bullying of Mitsuhide by Nobunaga is mostly fiction.

[@qq5847]

Since others have suggested Mitsunari, i would like to suggest Matsunaga Hisahide. He was always portrayed in the media as purely evil, but i read somewhere that he might not be like that at all. So i wanna hear your take on him as well.

[@Hilversumborn]

I personally see Hisahide as an anarchist before anarchism was a thing.

[@arielquelme]

​@@Hilversumbornnah, historians (true historians, not internet historians) has suggested that Hisahide actually loyal to his true lord, Miyoshi Nagayoshi His character was wrongly judged by many

[@arielquelme]

Agreed.. Just he was portrayed evil just bcause he betrayed Nobunaga.. Not that i justify his treason, but before Nobunaga, he was instrymental in shogunate government (actually Miyoshi clan government)

[@qq5847]

@@arielquelme did he also assassinate the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru? Correct me if i'm wrong.

[@arielquelme]

@@qq5847 objectively? No It was his son (plus the Miyoshi trio) who was caught redhanded assassinating the Shogun.. There is no written or physical proof Hisahide involved in the murder of Yoshiteru.. If we stay true to "innocent until proven otherwise"

[@chowJayden-pq5ke]

He was beaten up by oda nobunaga by just giving him fish But it was during the summer the fish he served turns to smelly Rip

[@chowJayden-pq5ke]

And you could watch "Nhk kirin comes "a show about alechi mitsuhide There are no English dub or sub

[@chinny18]

Nankobo Tenkai serving Ieyasu Tokugawa? I would love to hear more about his story.

[@NachtKaiser666]

I think a lot of the mystic vibes around Mitsuhide come from us not knowing why he betrayed Nobunaga or if he really survived as Tenkai. If those answers were committed to paper, Mitsuhide would likely just be some traitor general. I have a different head canon on Mitsuhide. I see him doing it out of spite. From what I understood, he was supposed to be reinforcing Hideyoshi on the Western front since he was caught in a stalemate. I could see a trueborn samurai being pissed at the idea of reinforcing a peasant, especially one who seemed to get favor over him time and time again. He had to sit there and watch Nobunaga make a peasant and (likely) an African gaijin to be his equal for a while, and now he was sent to reinforce a struggling peasant who would still get the credit if the reinforcements turned the tide. Seeing that Hideyoshi was busy in the West and Katsuie had to keep en eye on the Uesugi, Mitsuhide saw an opportunity to finally act on his resentment, unable to foresee either being willing to turn around and march to avenge their lord. I based this on how Mitsubide refused to give Yasuke a samurai's death. If Yasuke was made samurai by Nobunaga, it paints Mitsuhide as a man who ultimately gave little value to his former lord's words. If he was never officially made samurai, the fact that he kept Yasuke alive, despite the fact that he stood defiantly against him at Honnouji and Nijo does paint Mitsugide as looking down on him, not really mercy for his life. Obviously both versions do paint Mitsuhide in a very negative light, which would tarnish his image as the tragic hero who delivered Japan from the Demon King, which is why a lot of people choose to ignore this admittedly small detail. At the end of the day, it's all pure speculation from all sides. We take what we know and build our version based on that. Because Mitsuhide never declared his reasons for betrayal publicly, all we're left with are theories. Mine chooses to believe it was out of elitism (and likely many other smaller events)

[@MrGksarathy]

Given the stories we have of Mitsuhide's constant low-level mistreatment, I am inclined to believe he possibly snapped from the pressure of constantly trying to prove his worth. I have found myself stuck in a somewhat similar situation at work in which I never felt like my work has been properly appreciated and where my mistakes are magnified, and if I had the resources, upbringing, and pressures that Mitsuhide did, I might too have killed my boss in an extremely half-cocked manner.

[@KuroNoTenno]

Mitsuhide sure could use some defense... ...at Yamazaki.

[@TommyCurrell]

Lady Mariko from the show Shogun is based on his daughter :)

[@ronedward9955]

Akechi clan sponsored this video if you dont know lol. The main reason akechi betrayed oda is AMBITION he sense that it is the perfect day or lucky day to go grab the throne and no other day will come vulnerable so he take his chances for his ambition that night or day!

[@chrisdiokno5600]

Ah Mitsuhide, an interesting figure

[@lloydgush]

Yasuke was not a samurai, if he was a feudal lord, no way that he would be allowed to live given his proximity to oda. Worse, this whole thing could have worsened his relations with the portuguese, assuming yasuke was a loyal feudal lord and didn't immediately return to ennact revenge. The problem with him surviving is that he was no "nobody". Specially since he was just a mercenary before oda.

[@TheShogunate]

Yasuke was by no means a feudal lord. But he was someone who was elevated to significant status.

[@lloydgush]

@TheShogunate yes, very significant status. Some people use the term "half-samurai". It's kinda nebulous though.

[@TheShogunate]

@@robbierobinson4110 Not lying at all. Going off of historical record. Yasuke was either VERY closely associated with the samurai or in fact was one. Call it whatever you want.

[@lloydgush]

@robbierobinson4110 not a pet either. Not samurai, not a pet, a body guard well rewarded.

[@arielquelme]

​@@TheShogunatewell historical things said he was servant, not figurative "samurai servant", but literal servant Akechi Mirsuhide knew better since he called him as " just animal and not japanese" while expelling him from Japan

[@diapason89]

Crackpot theory: Mitsuhide was actually replaced with an exact clone made by a rival clan with advanced cloning technology the night before Honno-ji and was programmed to destroy Nobunaga. 😂

[@Kasaaz]

I do wonder how different things would have been had his message to the Mori made it. Or if he'd been able to at least survive against Hideyoshi.

[@ムスカ大佐-i7q]

There is a theory that Mitsuhide colluded with Hideyoshi to kill Nobunaga, and that Hideyoshi later betrayed Mitsuhide.

[@OneOkRockSamurai]

its funny how there has actually been new evidence from a scroll by a Japanese Record keeper who says Akechi may not have even been there during Honno-ji and just ordered it or that someone did it on his behalf. Which I tend to believe given most rulers wouldn't put themselves in deaths way like that especially one who had plans after an attack, like Akechi did

[@alexanderandrew6535]

On shogun TV show they kinda hinted that tokugawa knew mitsuhide would betray nobunaga(maybe even influenced him to do it) & that's why took his daughter by his side after

[@Usammityduzntafraidofanythin]

That netflix samurai documentary also defended him. "Nobunaga was just crazy and had to be stopped" they said

[@ikmalkamal5830]

Garbage documentary then. Man was about to forge an empire, but this bastard Mitsuhide put a stop to that and delayed Japan's glory for centuries. If ushering an empire is crazy, then its really is a pathetic world out there.

[@seanmelton7866]

First recorded example of someone snapping from too much bullying

[@nejiefelipe]

About mitzuhide i still think desertion would be best than the way he went, but things on the period were dire and he may have no other choice in order to escape nobunaga's reach.

[@Amatsuichi]

I recommend to watch "Awaiting Kirin" which is an NHK drama depicting the life of Akechi

[@arielquelme]

I rather recommend reading more history books Drama was not really good for history audience

[@2yoyoyo1Unplugged]

If I'm correct, this man is the man that Toda Mariko's father in the show Shogun was meant to be loosely based on, given that Kuroda Nobuhisa was meant to be the show's version of Oda Nobunaga.

[@TheShogunate]

You are correct

[@alinvoica937]

before watching this video, I also have a question: what if Akechi Mitsuhide had won? If he had managed to establish a Shogunate that would last more than 13 days? Would he still be considered a traitor? This is the problem of those who lose wars!

[@TheShogunate]

Exactly! Just like Ieyasu usurping power from the Toyotomi yet no one calls him a traitor.

[@alinvoica937]

@@TheShogunate Toyotomi took power from Oda Nobunaga even though he had children! That's how it is in war, history is written by the victors!

[@keiththomas1180]

Hot takes are the best

[@21Kikoshi]

Last year, I met a descendant of Akechi Mitsuhide.

[@shion2085_bluerider]

Those who like the drama ``Shogun'' may have noticed that the model for ``Mariko-sama'' is Mitsuhide Akechi's daughter.

[@grandadmiralzaarin4962]

In Defense of Ishida Mitsunari next?

[@Kasaaz]

I love the traditional art and such, but I feel guilty for just how much the way they depict horses makes me laugh.

[@arunramani1724]

My man Nobunaga got back stabbed, betrayed and Bamboozled..

[@xfall5004]

Can you please talk about kodai-in ((Nene)) hideyoshi 's first wife that would be interesting I think

[@g17yt99]

Do hideaki kobayakawa or kanetsugu naoe next

[@nont18411]

Another question is: How much was Tokugawa Ieyasu in on it with the plan? Even though it’s totally from 2024 Shogunverse canon that Ieyasu conspired with Mitsuhide to take down Nobunaga, in real life, both of them had the grievance against Nobunaga, especially family matters. Nobunaga got Mitsuhide’s mom killed while ordering the execution of Ieyasu’s family. And the interesting part is that, after Honnoji, it was Ieyasu who took Mitsuhide’s daughter, Hosokawa Gracia (aka Mariko) under his protection while also having Lady Kasuga no Tsubone (who’s a daughter of Mitsuhide’s retainer) as a wet nurse for his grandson, the third shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu. Ieyasu not only took Mitsuhide’s people under his wings, he also gave them important positions of power. For a guy whose whole career was about fighting like hell to gain legitimacy to the throne, Ieyasu somehow treated these henchmen of “the traitor” way too well.

[@arielquelme]

Close to 0% IMO Its just unverified theory without historical backup Even from logical perspective only, theres too stupid to think Ieyasu involved in Honnoji.. Nobunaga was his strongest backer at that time Not to mention if he rreally involved, Ieyasu should immediately jpined Mitsuhide instead of escaping thw scene and makes dangerous journey back to Mikawa

[@joeyartk]

When did Tokugawa ever have anything to do with Hosokawa Gracia? She was hidden in Hosokawa territory before she was allowed back to Osaka.

[@arielquelme]

​@@csl7972yeah correct.. For history avids, actually tthe more important question is how parasitic Sena(Tsukiyama) and her son Nobuyasu within Tokugawa family? I heard they want to depose Ieyasu and seize the rein of Tokugawa clan by their own initiative..

[@MyRuno]

Where does Sukiyaki fit into all of this?

[@Hilversumborn]

I'd say my favorite depiction of Akechi Mitsuhide is in the Nioh series. While it does involve some fantasy elements, Mitsuhide is portrayed is someone who has Japan's best intentions at heart, and at first joins Nobunaga because he believes he's the join to unify Japan, but when Nobunaga proves to be too ruthless, that's when he pulls off the betrayal.

[@Jobe-13]

What a tragedy.

[@AT-rr2xw]

It seems like betrayal was par for the course and Mitsuhide had already done his share before then. It was just a matter of time.