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The Mystery of the Honnoji Incident — Why Did Mitsuhide Betray Nobunaga?

On 2 June 1582, Akechi Mitsuhide stormed Honnoji temple in Kyoto and drove his lord Oda Nobunaga to suicide. This article explores the enduring mystery of the Honnoji Incident and its various theories.

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On 2 June 1582, Akechi Mitsuhide stormed Honnoji temple in Kyoto, where his lord Oda Nobunaga was lodging, and drove Nobunaga to suicide. This became one of the greatest acts of rebellion in Japanese history. Theories about Mitsuhide’s motives include personal grudge, ambition, Shikoku policy disputes, and court conspiracy — historians debate this to the present day. Mitsuhide’s ‘three-day reign’ ended when he was defeated at the Battle of Yamazaki by Hashiba Hideyoshi just thirteen days later. Sites related to the incident include Honnoji temple (still in Kyoto today), Nijo Castle, and Sakamoto Castle Ruins in Shiga Prefecture.

Honnoji temple in Kyoto, site of the 1582 incident; the current building was rebuilt and relocated after the event

Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Portrait of Oda Nobunaga, the warlord who nearly unified Japan before falling in the Honnoji Incident

Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Ninomaru Palace at Nijo Castle, associated with Oda Nobunaga; Mitsuhide served Nobunaga until the eve of his rebellion

Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Ruins of Azuchi Castle, Shiga — symbol of Nobunaga's ambition; burned down shortly after the Honnoji Incident

Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Restoration model of Azuchi Castle, illustrating the pinnacle of castle architecture from the era when Mitsuhide served Nobunaga

Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

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