Akechi clan
Encyclopedia
The is a branch of the Toki clan
Toki clan
The was a powerful clan that ruled in Japan from the Kamakura period to the Edo period. It descended from Emperor Seiwa by Minamoto no Yorimitsu from the Minamoto clan and used Toki in Mino Province as their hometown...

, which is descended from the Seiwa Genji
Seiwa Genji
The ' were the most successful and powerful of the many branch families of the Japanese Minamoto clan. Many of the most famous Minamoto warriors, including Minamoto Yoshiie, also known as "Hachimantaro", or God of War, and Minamoto no Yoritomo, the founder of the Kamakura shogunate, were descended...

. The Akechi clan thrived around the later part of the Sengoku period
Sengoku period
The or Warring States period in Japanese history was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. The name "Sengoku" was adopted by Japanese historians in reference...

 of the 16th century. The Akechi became the head , soryo of the Toki after the Toki fell to the Saitō clan
Saito clan
The was a Japanese clan in Mino Province during the Sengoku period in the 16th century. According to records, the Saitō clan descended from the Fujiwara clan...

 in 1540. The Akechi denied to be under Saito Yoshitatsu who attacked theNagayama castle. Akechi Mitsuhide
Akechi Mitsuhide
, nicknamed Jūbei or called from his clan name and title, was a samurai who lived during the Sengoku period of Feudal Japan.Mitsuhide was a general under daimyo Oda Nobunaga, although he became infamous for his betrayal in 1582, which led to Nobunaga's death at Honno-ji...

 then served shoguns Ashikaga Yoshiteru and Ashikaga Yoshiaki. After introducing Ashikaga Yoshiaki to Oda Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga
was the initiator of the unification of Japan under the shogunate in the late 16th century, which ruled Japan until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He was also a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. His opus was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi...

, Mitsuhide became a powerful general under Oda Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga
was the initiator of the unification of Japan under the shogunate in the late 16th century, which ruled Japan until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He was also a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. His opus was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi...

. However, after 1582, Mitsuhide trapped Nobunaga at Honnō-ji
Honno-ji
is a temple of the Nichiren branch of Buddhism located in Kyoto, Japan. Its honzon is mandara-honzon from Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.-History:...

 and forced him to commit suicide. The Akechi then gained power due to the collapse of the Oda clan
Oda clan
The was a family of Japanese daimyo who were to become an important political force in the unification of Japan in the mid-16th century. Though they had the climax of their fame under Oda Nobunaga and fell from the spotlight soon after, several branches of the family would continue on as daimyo...

. Later that same year, Akechi Mitsuhide was slain at the Battle of Yamazaki
Battle of Yamazaki
The was fought in 1582 in Yamazaki, Japan, located in current day Kyoto Prefecture. This battle is sometimes referred to as the Battle of Mt. Tennō ....

, twelve days after the Incident at Honnō-ji. The Akechi clan then fell from prominence.

Important Figures

  • Akechi Hidemitsu
    Akechi Hidemitsu
    was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period. A senior retainer of Oda Nobunaga's vassal Akechi Mitsuhide, he served Mitsuhide until the latter's death in 1582 at the hands of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.-Early Life and Family:...

     (died 1582), Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period
  • Akechi Mitsutsugu
  • Akechi Mitsutsuna
    Akechi Mitsutsuna
    was a senior retainer under the Toki clan throughout the latter Sengoku period of feudal Japan. He was the father of Akechi Mitsuhide....

     (died 1538), senior retainer under the Toki clan throughout the latter Sengoku period of feudal Japan
  • Akechi Mitsuhide
    Akechi Mitsuhide
    , nicknamed Jūbei or called from his clan name and title, was a samurai who lived during the Sengoku period of Feudal Japan.Mitsuhide was a general under daimyo Oda Nobunaga, although he became infamous for his betrayal in 1582, which led to Nobunaga's death at Honno-ji...

     (c. 1520–1582), samurai who lived during the Sengoku period of Feudal Japan
  • Akechi Mitsuharu
    Akechi Mitsuharu
    a retainer beneath the clan of Akechi during the Azuchi-Momoyama period of Feudal Japan. Mitsuharu was also known and referred to as "Mitsutoshi," and was the cousin of the famed Akechi Mitsuhide...

     (died 1582), retainer beneath the clan of Akechi during the Azuchi-Momoyama period of Feudal Japan
  • Akechi Mitsutada
    Akechi Mitsutada
    was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period who served the Akechi clan. He was a cousin of his lord, Akechi Mitsuhide....

     (died 1582), Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period who served the Akechi clan
  • Akechi Mitsuyoshi
    Akechi Mitsuyoshi
    Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period. He was an eldest son of Akechi Mitsuhide. He was defeated at Battle of Yamazaki by Nakagawa Kiyohide and Dom Justo Takayama, and committed suicide....

     (died 1582), Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period
  • Matsuda Masachika
    Matsuda Masachika
    ' was a member of the Japanese Akechi clan.Masachika was born into a prestigious family of the Tamba Province region and lived during the 16th-century Sengoku period and the early years of the Azuchi-Momoyama period....

     (died 1582), member of the Japanese Akechi clan

The is a branch of the Toki clan
Toki clan
The was a powerful clan that ruled in Japan from the Kamakura period to the Edo period. It descended from Emperor Seiwa by Minamoto no Yorimitsu from the Minamoto clan and used Toki in Mino Province as their hometown...

, which is descended from the Seiwa Genji
Seiwa Genji
The ' were the most successful and powerful of the many branch families of the Japanese Minamoto clan. Many of the most famous Minamoto warriors, including Minamoto Yoshiie, also known as "Hachimantaro", or God of War, and Minamoto no Yoritomo, the founder of the Kamakura shogunate, were descended...

. The Akechi clan thrived around the later part of the Sengoku period
Sengoku period
The or Warring States period in Japanese history was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. The name "Sengoku" was adopted by Japanese historians in reference...

 of the 16th century. The Akechi became the head , soryo of the Toki after the Toki fell to the Saitō clan
Saito clan
The was a Japanese clan in Mino Province during the Sengoku period in the 16th century. According to records, the Saitō clan descended from the Fujiwara clan...

 in 1540. The Akechi denied to be under Saito Yoshitatsu who attacked theNagayama castle. Akechi Mitsuhide
Akechi Mitsuhide
, nicknamed Jūbei or called from his clan name and title, was a samurai who lived during the Sengoku period of Feudal Japan.Mitsuhide was a general under daimyo Oda Nobunaga, although he became infamous for his betrayal in 1582, which led to Nobunaga's death at Honno-ji...

 then served shoguns Ashikaga Yoshiteru and Ashikaga Yoshiaki. After introducing Ashikaga Yoshiaki to Oda Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga
was the initiator of the unification of Japan under the shogunate in the late 16th century, which ruled Japan until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He was also a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. His opus was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi...

, Mitsuhide became a powerful general under Oda Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga
was the initiator of the unification of Japan under the shogunate in the late 16th century, which ruled Japan until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He was also a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. His opus was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi...

. However, after 1582, Mitsuhide trapped Nobunaga at Honnō-ji
Honno-ji
is a temple of the Nichiren branch of Buddhism located in Kyoto, Japan. Its honzon is mandara-honzon from Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.-History:...

 and forced him to commit suicide. The Akechi then gained power due to the collapse of the Oda clan
Oda clan
The was a family of Japanese daimyo who were to become an important political force in the unification of Japan in the mid-16th century. Though they had the climax of their fame under Oda Nobunaga and fell from the spotlight soon after, several branches of the family would continue on as daimyo...

. Later that same year, Akechi Mitsuhide was slain at the Battle of Yamazaki
Battle of Yamazaki
The was fought in 1582 in Yamazaki, Japan, located in current day Kyoto Prefecture. This battle is sometimes referred to as the Battle of Mt. Tennō ....

, twelve days after the Incident at Honnō-ji. The Akechi clan then fell from prominence.

Important Figures

  • Akechi Hidemitsu
    Akechi Hidemitsu
    was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period. A senior retainer of Oda Nobunaga's vassal Akechi Mitsuhide, he served Mitsuhide until the latter's death in 1582 at the hands of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.-Early Life and Family:...

     (died 1582), Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period
  • Akechi Mitsutsugu
  • Akechi Mitsutsuna
    Akechi Mitsutsuna
    was a senior retainer under the Toki clan throughout the latter Sengoku period of feudal Japan. He was the father of Akechi Mitsuhide....

     (died 1538), senior retainer under the Toki clan throughout the latter Sengoku period of feudal Japan
  • Akechi Mitsuhide
    Akechi Mitsuhide
    , nicknamed Jūbei or called from his clan name and title, was a samurai who lived during the Sengoku period of Feudal Japan.Mitsuhide was a general under daimyo Oda Nobunaga, although he became infamous for his betrayal in 1582, which led to Nobunaga's death at Honno-ji...

     (c. 1520–1582), samurai who lived during the Sengoku period of Feudal Japan
  • Akechi Mitsuharu
    Akechi Mitsuharu
    a retainer beneath the clan of Akechi during the Azuchi-Momoyama period of Feudal Japan. Mitsuharu was also known and referred to as "Mitsutoshi," and was the cousin of the famed Akechi Mitsuhide...

     (died 1582), retainer beneath the clan of Akechi during the Azuchi-Momoyama period of Feudal Japan
  • Akechi Mitsutada
    Akechi Mitsutada
    was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period who served the Akechi clan. He was a cousin of his lord, Akechi Mitsuhide....

     (died 1582), Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period who served the Akechi clan
  • Akechi Mitsuyoshi
    Akechi Mitsuyoshi
    Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period. He was an eldest son of Akechi Mitsuhide. He was defeated at Battle of Yamazaki by Nakagawa Kiyohide and Dom Justo Takayama, and committed suicide....

     (died 1582), Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period
  • Matsuda Masachika
    Matsuda Masachika
    ' was a member of the Japanese Akechi clan.Masachika was born into a prestigious family of the Tamba Province region and lived during the 16th-century Sengoku period and the early years of the Azuchi-Momoyama period....

     (died 1582), member of the Japanese Akechi clan

The is a branch of the Toki clan
Toki clan
The was a powerful clan that ruled in Japan from the Kamakura period to the Edo period. It descended from Emperor Seiwa by Minamoto no Yorimitsu from the Minamoto clan and used Toki in Mino Province as their hometown...

, which is descended from the Seiwa Genji
Seiwa Genji
The ' were the most successful and powerful of the many branch families of the Japanese Minamoto clan. Many of the most famous Minamoto warriors, including Minamoto Yoshiie, also known as "Hachimantaro", or God of War, and Minamoto no Yoritomo, the founder of the Kamakura shogunate, were descended...

. The Akechi clan thrived around the later part of the Sengoku period
Sengoku period
The or Warring States period in Japanese history was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. The name "Sengoku" was adopted by Japanese historians in reference...

 of the 16th century. The Akechi became the head , soryo of the Toki after the Toki fell to the Saitō clan
Saito clan
The was a Japanese clan in Mino Province during the Sengoku period in the 16th century. According to records, the Saitō clan descended from the Fujiwara clan...

 in 1540. The Akechi denied to be under Saito Yoshitatsu who attacked theNagayama castle. Akechi Mitsuhide
Akechi Mitsuhide
, nicknamed Jūbei or called from his clan name and title, was a samurai who lived during the Sengoku period of Feudal Japan.Mitsuhide was a general under daimyo Oda Nobunaga, although he became infamous for his betrayal in 1582, which led to Nobunaga's death at Honno-ji...

 then served shoguns Ashikaga Yoshiteru and Ashikaga Yoshiaki. After introducing Ashikaga Yoshiaki to Oda Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga
was the initiator of the unification of Japan under the shogunate in the late 16th century, which ruled Japan until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He was also a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. His opus was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi...

, Mitsuhide became a powerful general under Oda Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga
was the initiator of the unification of Japan under the shogunate in the late 16th century, which ruled Japan until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He was also a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. His opus was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi...

. However, after 1582, Mitsuhide trapped Nobunaga at Honnō-ji
Honno-ji
is a temple of the Nichiren branch of Buddhism located in Kyoto, Japan. Its honzon is mandara-honzon from Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.-History:...

 and forced him to commit suicide. The Akechi then gained power due to the collapse of the Oda clan
Oda clan
The was a family of Japanese daimyo who were to become an important political force in the unification of Japan in the mid-16th century. Though they had the climax of their fame under Oda Nobunaga and fell from the spotlight soon after, several branches of the family would continue on as daimyo...

. Later that same year, Akechi Mitsuhide was slain at the Battle of Yamazaki
Battle of Yamazaki
The was fought in 1582 in Yamazaki, Japan, located in current day Kyoto Prefecture. This battle is sometimes referred to as the Battle of Mt. Tennō ....

, twelve days after the Incident at Honnō-ji. The Akechi clan then fell from prominence.

Important Figures

  • Akechi Hidemitsu
    Akechi Hidemitsu
    was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period. A senior retainer of Oda Nobunaga's vassal Akechi Mitsuhide, he served Mitsuhide until the latter's death in 1582 at the hands of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.-Early Life and Family:...

     (died 1582), Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period
  • Akechi Mitsutsugu
  • Akechi Mitsutsuna
    Akechi Mitsutsuna
    was a senior retainer under the Toki clan throughout the latter Sengoku period of feudal Japan. He was the father of Akechi Mitsuhide....

     (died 1538), senior retainer under the Toki clan throughout the latter Sengoku period of feudal Japan
  • Akechi Mitsuhide
    Akechi Mitsuhide
    , nicknamed Jūbei or called from his clan name and title, was a samurai who lived during the Sengoku period of Feudal Japan.Mitsuhide was a general under daimyo Oda Nobunaga, although he became infamous for his betrayal in 1582, which led to Nobunaga's death at Honno-ji...

     (c. 1520–1582), samurai who lived during the Sengoku period of Feudal Japan
  • Akechi Mitsuharu
    Akechi Mitsuharu
    a retainer beneath the clan of Akechi during the Azuchi-Momoyama period of Feudal Japan. Mitsuharu was also known and referred to as "Mitsutoshi," and was the cousin of the famed Akechi Mitsuhide...

     (died 1582), retainer beneath the clan of Akechi during the Azuchi-Momoyama period of Feudal Japan
  • Akechi Mitsutada
    Akechi Mitsutada
    was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period who served the Akechi clan. He was a cousin of his lord, Akechi Mitsuhide....

     (died 1582), Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period who served the Akechi clan
  • Akechi Mitsuyoshi
    Akechi Mitsuyoshi
    Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period. He was an eldest son of Akechi Mitsuhide. He was defeated at Battle of Yamazaki by Nakagawa Kiyohide and Dom Justo Takayama, and committed suicide....

     (died 1582), Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period
  • Matsuda Masachika
    Matsuda Masachika
    ' was a member of the Japanese Akechi clan.Masachika was born into a prestigious family of the Tamba Province region and lived during the 16th-century Sengoku period and the early years of the Azuchi-Momoyama period....

    (died 1582), member of the Japanese Akechi clan

x
OK