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Tomorrow's video (Patreon)

Published:
2024-09-19 20:11:37
Imported:
2026-06
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Sengoku Jidai - Warrior Monks of Hongan-ji and Hiei - Extra History Reaction (Ep 3 and 4)

See the original - Support VTH on patreon: https://patreon.com/vth My other channels: Stories of the Great War - https://www.youtube.com/@StoriesoftheGreatWar Stories of the Civil War - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMASZptCZYFw51gzSXpVG2g Songs of History - https://www.youtube.com/@SongsofHistoryVTH VTH Gaming - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheHistoryGuy VTH Extra - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQS_4Y0cukXPo1x-4JCu6uw Follow me on instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vloggingthroughhistory Follow VTH on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088099516191 #history #reaction

Comments

HailRedKing

Yeah Oda's death comes across very shocking. If America has Benedict Arnold Japan has Akechi Mistuide, both men once loyal and well respected but remembered now only as vile traitors.

Raziel's Legacy

Japan is definitely on my bucket list of places to visit. They have such a fascinating history. The Sengoku period through the Tokugawa period ( Edo period ) and into the Meiji restoration. Incredible stuff. Loved the reaction. Keep up the good work.

Ahran Ghani Majid

Hey there! As a Japanese History buff I am so glad you are finally checking out this Period. I just wanted to remind you and a few people here, that this is one of Extra History’s earliest series, and normally they tend to Over-Oversimplify things A LOT, So they not only skip over certain details, but they also get A LOT wrong. So here are some of the things I noticed they got wrong or things I wanted to clear up or point out. I also did the same for the previous two episodes on YouTube. Also, sorry in advance for the long answers, a TLDR is difficult to do for all of these. 1.) What you see Nobunaga doing to Ashikaga Yoshiaki was not unique to just Nobunaga. Many clans had done the exact same thing to The Shogunate, making them puppets. However, there were times where the Shogun would obviously rebel in an attempt to seize power back, only to fail and be killed. Yoshiaki’s brother Ashikaga Yoshiteru, who was Shogun before him, attempted to start taking back power, and reasserting the Shogunate’s Authority. Obviously, the Clan puppeteering him (The Miyoshi Clan) were not happy with this, so they surrounded his palace in Kyoto. The Shogun, after a brilliant last stand, committed seppuku. 2.) Here one of my main issues with this specific series comes up, and it will happen again many times. He spends time talking about events or characters that yes did happen or exist. But their importance is questionable. For example, Sugitani Zenjūbō’s attempted assassination was not important at all, as it inevitably failed, and did not even injure Nobunaga, or change anything in the grand scheme of things. Hattori Hanzo, whilst a very famous and iconic figure in Japanese pop culture and folklore, was again, in the grand scheme of things not that important. 3.) I’ll also take the time to clear up a common misconception. The image that most people have of Ninja (Wearing black, sneaky assassinations, poison darts, sick backflips, Shuriken, Nunchucks, etc.) is a TOTAL myth. Firstly, Ninja, or as they were historically known as, Shinobi, were not a different warrior or social class. Shinobi was a job. You may also be under the misconception that Shinobi were usually members of lower class, like peasants. But this is also wrong. Most shinobi belonged to the Samurai class, as Shinobi was one of the Many different jobs a Samurai could take on. Why would a lord spend money on a peasant who could possibly also betray him, when he could use one of his many loyal, well trained followers. Hatori Hanzo is an example of this. Additionally, there is little evidence to show that Shinobi participated in much assassinations, as that was not their primary purpose. They were used for spying, recognisance and occasionally espionage. The way we define Shinobi is also a bit of a blur. Shinobi would also not be wearing black, the earliest depictions we get of this come from the Edo period (The Period after the Sengoku period) where Shinobi (or secretive figures) were often depicted in art or plays wearing black for the reason that shadows were associated with secrecy. The Shogunate has a good video explaining the reality and misconceptions of Shinobi. Also, just a small nitpick, but Nunchucks originate from the Ryukyu islands (Okinawa) which wasn’t conquered by the Japanese until 1609. 4.) Another thing that he doesnt really bring up, and I especially dont understand why, is the introduction and exponential use of Firearms in this period. One of the things that Oda Nobunaga was famous for, that makes him comparable with figres like Napoleon, was his understanding of when things needed to change or when he knew he had to adapt. This allowed him to adapt and innovate in ways that set him apart from other warlords of his time. Firearms were already in Japan around a century and a half before Nobunaga’s time. However, these were primitive chinese firearms that saw limited use (such as the Onin War and The Battle of Uenohara). It was in 1543 however, that things really got rolling. The introduction of the Arquebus by the Portuguese to the Japanese archipelago was when the use of firearms began to slowly rise. Clans knew that they had potential, they just were having a hard time figuring out how to use them efficiently, as they were slow to reload, inaccurate, would be unusable if the gunpowder got wet (which in the climate of Japan would be difficult to not do) and were difficult to get. Nobunaga saw the potential of these weapons, and realised that if they were to be used effectively, they had to be used en masse. During his early career, there was only one way to effectively get guns, The Portuguese. Nobunaga capitalised on this opportunity by establishing trade relations with the Portuguese, securing a steady supply of firearms, gunpowder, and other Western goods. His relatively open and accommodating treatment of Europeans and Christians was unusual for his time, as he allowed Jesuit missionaries to preach and build churches in his territories. Nobunaga saw value in their presence, not only as a source of advanced weaponry but also as potential allies against the powerful Buddhist sects that opposed him. Some of what we know about Nobunaga comes from Jesuit accounts, particularly those of Luís Fróis, a Portuguese priest who documented Nobunaga's life and times in detail. Fróis had direct access to Nobunaga's court and was even present during the Honno-ji Incident, where Nobunaga met his end. Nobunaga’s fascination with Western culture extended beyond firearms, he adopted Western clothing and even wore Western-styled armor, demonstrating his curiosity and willingness to embrace new ideas that could enhance his power. While Nobunaga’s acceptance of Europeans and Christianity might have been partially driven by genuine interest, it was also a calculated move to harness the technological and military advantages they could provide. Even after learning how to produce firearms domestically, Nobunaga maintained good relations with the Portuguese, valuing the continued exchange of knowledge, goods, and influence. Anyways, after he had gotten these firearms, he created a special way of using them. Most people assume that after guns were introduced, bows go out of the window. This was not the case in the Sengoku period. Nobunaga created a system of volley fire that would consist of 3 lines of gunners firing one after the other, and then whilst they were reloading, archers would continue firing arrows to cover fire. This created the effect of a never ending volley. Additionally, as a way to protect these gunners from other infantry or cavalry, he created a Sarissa-like pike. To put into perspective how much longer these were than the average Japanese Spear (called Yari), the average spear at the time was around 10 feet. Nobunaga’s Pikes were on average around 20 feet long. So this seemingly impenetrable wall of pikes, along with devastating volley fire, made the Oda Army a force to be reckoned with. After Nobunaga’s victory at Nagashino, you start to see people realising Nobunaga’s vision, and the unlocked potential of firearms. 5.) Calling the Ikko Ikki “The biggest obstacle between Oda Nobunaga and unifying Japan” is debatable. They were a thorn in his side, yes. But they didnt serve as much of a real threat, as they often just stayed in their fortified monasteries, and would occasionally raid Oda Supply lines. 6.) It wasnt just the monks of Ishiyama Honganji giving Nobunaga trouble. As stated, there was Enryaku-Ji on Mount Hiei, and the Fortress of Nagashima which was practically on the doorstep of Nobunaga’s home province of Owari. 7.) I know this may seem like a minor thing to point out, but trust me its a big mistake on their part. Ishiyama-Honganji was NOT in the province of Kaga (which is north east of Kyoto. It was in the Province of Settsu (which is south west of kyoto). The ruins of Ishiyama-Honganji is what the famous Osaka Castle was later built on top of, so I don’t understand how they made this mistake. 8.) 12:07 If you wanna play as the Ikko Ikki, you can in 2 amazing games on feudal Japan, 1.) Total War Shogun 2 and 2.) Nobunaga’s Ambition (Though it has a lot of different versions, I would recommend starting with Sphere of Influence). 9.) To answer the Question on where Ishiyama-Honganji was getting their food, the fortress was just upstream from the Kizugawa River Delta, so their allies would just send in ships full of supplies and ammunition. Extra History does not talk about the struggle Nobunaga went through to try and establish a naval blockade. Nobunaga built a large and expensive Navy to challenge the Ikko Ikki’s ally and supplier, The Mori Clan of Choshu (Who I will talk more about later). They were known for their navy, and clever uses of it that were unique for their time. They inevitably faced off in the First Battle of Kizugawauchi in 1576, a naval battle where the Oda had 300 large vessels, and the mori had 700 small vessels. The Mori’s use of mobility and gunpowder bombs allowed them to destroy the Oda Fleet, creating a major setback for Nobunaga. Eventually Nobunaga made another fleet and faced thm in the second battle of Kizugawauchi in 1578, where the Oda had learned from their last battle, they created 6 Atakebune (Large Ships, that were reinforced with iron plating to hold the ship together against bombs) whilst the Mori had 600 smaller ships. The Oda emerged victorious, and it allowed for Nobunaga to blockade Ishiyama-Honganji, finally cutting them off from supplies, 8 years after the siege had begun. It was not until 1580 that the forces inside the fortress finally surrendered. 8.) Whilst Nobunaga came to a temporary truce with the Azai and Asakura, 2 years after the siege of mount hiei, they went to war again, and Nobunaga destroyed both of the clans 9.) Yeah, about the Siege of Mount Hiei. It wasnt the murder of Women and Children that was considered shocking. That was unfortunately pretty normal in Feudal Japan, and especially the Sengoku Period. What was shocking was the massacre of priests and the burning of one of Japan’s most respected temples, in sight of the capital. It also wasnt the only time Nobunaga did something like this, he would later do the same to the Ikko Ikki Fortress of Nagashima, which also contained women and children. 10.) The siege of Mount Hiei, and destruction of the temple created a new atmosphere of fear of Nobunaga. Before this, he was known as “The Fool of Owari” which I explained in my comment on the previous video. After this he got one terrifying (and honestly badass sounding) nickname, "Demon King of the Sixth Heaven" (第六天魔王, Dairokuten Maou). This title is rooted in Buddhist mythology, where the "Sixth Heaven" is the realm inhabited by Māra, a demon who represents desire and death, often seen as the embodiment of obstacles to enlightenment. Nobunaga also thought it was cool sounding, so he saw it as a good way to create a form of propaganda that would cause his enemies to fear him. He began signing letters to his enemies with this nickname. 11.) You may Remember Takeda Shingen for getting the Number 4 Spot in the Best Generals Mathematically speaking. 14:50 Possibly one of the biggest mistakes and one of the most ridiculous statements in this series “He is literally the guy who invented the cavalry charge in feudal Japan.” Takeda Shingen is NOT the guy who invented the cavalry charge in Feudal Japan 😂. Cavalry charges have existed in Japan longer than Samurai have been around. It is even debated whether the Takeda even had a large amount of cavalry. It just seems that they used cavalry in a different way than other clans at the time, rather than having hordes of them. However, this does not mean that Shingen is not a good strategist. As seen by his rivalry with Ueusgi Kenshin (which I will talk a lot about later), he was no cupcake. The battles those two had are probably up there as some of the greatest battles in world history, ESPECIALLY THE 4th BATTLE OF KAWANAKAJIMA. 12.) 16:20 Again, we see another major mistake and ridiculous statement. Tokugawa Ieyasu, due to being at risk of being captured, did flee the Battle of Mikatagahara with Only 5 men. But that does not mean that the castle only had 5 men 💀. Of course the castle has its own garrison, and a pretty sizeable chunk of the army still survived the battle, and made it safely back to Hamamatsu Castle. 13.) The Takeda withdrew because of both of the mentioned reasons, but also because of the fact that they had also already captured large chunks of territory from the Tokugawa. So they also needed to consolidate in their newly captured areas, Ieyasu’s trick and bold counter attack basically convinced them that a siege would still take a while, so they could always just fight another day. 14.) Samurai honour is a really complex topic, so i’ll try to sum it up the best I can. The concept of Bushidō ("the way of the warrior") as we understand it today—an idealized code of conduct emphasizing loyalty, self-sacrifice, and strict personal honor—did not fully develop until the late Edo period (1603–1868). During the Sengoku period, the samurai ethos was far more pragmatic and focused on martial effectiveness, loyalty to one's lord, and the pursuit of personal and clan survival, rather than an abstract or codified sense of honor. Samurai honor during the Sengoku period was primarily about loyalty to one's lord (daimyo), military prowess, and maintaining one's reputation. Honor was directly tied to the battlefield and could often mean making strategic retreats, betraying alliances, or even switching sides if it benefited one’s clan or ensured survival. Samurai were expected to be cunning and adaptable, and the concept of honor was closely linked to the success and reputation of their lord rather than personal, rigid principles. Sengoku samurai operated in a world where pragmatism often trumped idealistic notions of honor. Unlike the later romanticized Bushidō, which emphasised dying honorably rather than surrendering, Sengoku samurai often acted in self-interest or that of their lord's strategic needs. Loyalty was fluid and based on personal and clan advantage rather than unwavering moral codes. Samurai would sometimes betray their lords if they believed it was the best course of action for their survival or prosperity, actions that would later be seen as dishonorable under Edo-period Bushidō. While ritual suicide was practiced, it was not always linked to abstract concepts of personal honor but was often used as a way to avoid capture, disgrace, or as a method of political and social control imposed by lords to maintain order among retainers. Sengoku samurai prioritized battlefield skills, cunning, and the ability to navigate the complex political landscape. The later Edo-period Bushidō emphasized moral purity, philosophical loyalty, and personal sacrifice, a shift that aligned more with the peaceful, neo-Confucian ideals of that era rather than the brutal realities of wartime Japan. Also, like I said, Ninja were not a different social or warrior class, it was a job taken on by samurai. These samurai were normally hand-picked loyal warriors, so obviously they would be more loyal to a lord than an ally or retainer who is fighting for themselves. 15.) It is debated whether Takeda Shingen was shot during the siege of Noda Castle. There were already signs that Shingen was ill before this, and it is possible that he could have just died of old age, as he was 51 years old (which was pretty old for the time). Its also possible that he did get shot, and he died of the wound, or the wound just exacerbated the illness he already had. But what is a fact, is that he did die during the siege. 16.) What Extra History failed to mention about the “traitor” who was plotting alongside the Takeda to defeat Tokugawa Ieyasu, is that the traitor was Tokugawa Ieyasu’s own wife. Whilst we don’t know exactly why she betrayed him, we have a few possible reasons as to why. She is thought to have betrayed him due to a combination of political intrigue, personal dissatisfaction, and pressure from rival factions. Tsukiyama reportedly conspired with Takeda Katsuyori to undermine her husband’s position. One motivation often cited is her growing resentment towards Ieyasu's favoritism towards his concubine, Lady Saigō, which created tension in their marriage. Additionally, Tsukiyama was allegedly influenced by internal Tokugawa clan politics and the ambitions of her own family, the Imegawa (who you may remember from earlier in the series), who were historically aligned with the Takeda. This plot was discovered, leading to her arrest and execution in 1579, ordered by Ieyasu himself, partly to secure his alliance with Oda Nobunaga by eliminating a potential source of internal discord. A letter she sent to the takeda was intercepted by an Oda warrior who brought this information to Nobunaga. Nobunaga told Ieyasu of the information. Ieyasu, knowing the fate of his clan was at stake, ordered his wife to be executed. Another tragic fact is that Ieyasu’s eldest son and heir, Matsudaira Nobuyasu was very close to his mother. So there were fears that he would want to avenge his late mother by killing and overthrowing his father, and joining the Takeda. Nobunaga ‘recommended’ that Ieyasu deal with this possible threat. Ieyasu himself made the decision to make his son commit seppuku. 16.) To answer your question about looting in Feudal Japan. YES, looting was very common in feudal Japan, especially during the Sengoku period. Raids were often conducted on enemy villages, castles, and supply lines, with samurai and ashigaru (foot soldiers) scavenging battlefields for weapons, armor, and valuables. Sacking towns provided not only resources but also served as a way to boost army morale, as it gave something for them to fight for. After battles, it was customary for warriors to strip the dead of their valuables, and looting became a significant incentive for low-ranking soldiers. Head-taking was a prominent part of samurai culture during this time. After battles, samurai would take the heads of defeated enemies as proof of their prowess. Depending on the amount of heads taken, and the person who they killed, this could allow one to make a name for themselves and rise through the ranks. These heads were cleaned, dressed, and presented in a formal ceremony to their lord, showcasing their achievements. However, this practice sometimes backfired. It could undermine military discipline and even lead to punitive actions. The fixation on head-taking could also distract warriors from their primary objectives, as some would abandon their positions in the heat of battle to collect heads, slowing down operations. To address these issues, alternative practices such as taking noses or ears were sometimes adopted, These body parts served as less cumbersome trophies. However, the obvious problem becomes how do you know who these belonged to? It is not only impossible to distinguish if it belonged to a higher class or lower class warrior, but they could have also not belonged to warriors at all. Some warriors, eager for recognition or rewards, would kill innocents in nearby towns and act like they belonged to enemy soldiers. After reports of villagers being found dead without certain body parts started to come in, the generals would obviously put two and two together and then ban the system. There are also some cases of generals prohibiting head taking all together for a single battle, or for part of a battle, so that the army could not get distracted and therefore be more mobile, coordinated and organised. 17.) Also, to add onto the last one, I dont think that Extra History only meant ‘returning home empty handed’ in the sense of looting. You have to remember that Takeda Katsuyori was unproven, he needed a victory of some kind to secure his position as head of the Takeda Clan. So at this point he was desperate for some kind of victory, otherwise he risked being overthrown. This is the thing that was the driving factor that would lead to the disaster that was Nagashino, as Katsuyori’s eagerness to prove himself ended up causing not only his own death, but the death of his clan. 18.) To answer your questions about the movies, YES, there are a lot of movies that were made based on the events surrounding The Battle of Nagashino. The most famous one is Kagemusha (Shadow Warrior) by Akira Kurosawa, the legendary director of Seven Samurai, and the man who inspired George Lucas to create star wars. George Lucas helped with the production of the film as Kurosawa was in a pretty bad spot during that time. Not only is the Cinematography some of the most breathtaking in all of cinema history (I am not joking, look up any clip of Kagemusha, that clip of ‘Shingen’ appearing over the hill is 🤌), But the final battle also used 5000 extras. It also keeps pretty faithful to the story and to the characters. The movie is from the perspective of the Takeda. Shingen has died, and requested that his death be kept secret for at least 3 years, so they find a thief who looks exactly like Shingen, and make him Shingen’s Kagemusha (or Body-double, which was very common in the Sengoku Period). The generals try to keep this secret from their enemies, the Oda, The Tokugawa and the Uesugi. The final battle is brutal. 18.) You are correct in your statement that Katsuyori should have done what Caesar did at Alesia. In fact, even Tokugawa Ieyasu would agree with you, he later said “Nobunaga and I were superior in numbers, and yet though we had a triple stockade in front of us he must need come charging down on it. Naturally he got beaten. But if he had taken up a position behind the Takigawa river he could have held us up for ten days anyhow, and we should have had to retire. Then he could have launched an attack on us, and ten to one it would have been successful. It is a pity he was such a fool.” Katsuyori could have also withdrawn to fight another day, but again, he was eager to prove himself. Shingen’s old generals proposed both of these plans, but Katsuyori denied them. 19.) Bit of a Small nitpick. But at 24:04 what he shows is not a Yari, what he shows is a Naginata. They had fallen out of favour long before Nagashino, and are more comparable to a glaive. 20.) Im gonna take this point to gush about both Takeda Shingen and Ueusgi Kenshin, because they really get done dirty here. Their rivalry is definitely up there with the likes of Hannibal and Scipio, Richard and Saladin, Napoleon and Wellington (or Archduke Charles if we’re being honest), Grant and Lee, etc. The 5 Battles of Kawanakajima are a very interesting topic to cover, and there are a variety of ways you can cover them (which I will talk about later). The battles were basically intricate 4D Chess matches between these two. With the 4th Battle being the largest, and possibly the most epic battle in Japanese History. There are two ways you can check them out. If you want to see the lead up to and each of the 5 Battles of Kawanakajima, i’d again Recommend the Shogunate’s series. I checked put the videos containing these battles, and I think you could actually watch them without seeing any of the previous videos. I’m not saying you shouldn’t though, as The Shogunate’s series is definitely the best one out there. If you want to see all of this I would watch “The Road to Kawanakajima | Sengoku Jidai Episode 15” which is 13 minutes long, “The Battles of Kawanakajima Part: 1 (1553-1557) | Sengoku Jidai Episode 16” which is 17 minutes long, and finally “The Battles of Kawanakajima Part: 2 (1557-1564) | Sengoku Jidai Episode 18” which is 14 minutes long. The videos are entertaining and easy to follow, they are definitely the best way to learn about the rivalry between these two. If you just are interested in the massive 4th Battle, I would recommend checking out the Video by BazBattles named “Sengoku Jidai: Battle of Kawanakajima 1561”. He explains the 4th battle in depth, but does not really talk about the other battles. I’m sure that many would agree that you HAVE to check this stuff out, even Extra History knew that as he said he wanted to cover Takeda Shingen’s life later on (which they never did 🥲). 21.) I wanted to note that Uesugi Kenshin is the only person to defeat Oda Nobunaga in Battle. At the Battle of the Tedorigawa (Tedori River) Kenshin had 30,000 men, and Nobunaga had 50,000 men. It shows his prowess as a general, as he knew that the Oda would be impenetrable in a frontal attack, due to their guns and pikes. So he came up with a plan. He would lure the Oda into trying to cross the river by making it seem as if he had sent some men up stream to complete a flanking attack, that way his centre would therefore be weak. Nobunaga fell for it, and sent forward his lines. After a brief scuffle along the banks of the river, a sudden flash flood occurred in the river. Many Oda warriors were either wisked away by the flood, trapped on the enemy’s side of the river, soaked and therefore unable to use their guns, or jot able to help their trapped allies. Seems like bad luck right? Wrong, Kenshin’s actual objective was using those men he sent upstream to open the floodgates of a nearby dam. This mitigated the only advantage the Oda had, and the relatively inexperienced light foot soldiers of the Oda were no match for the Battle hardened, veteran Uesugi Samurai. This is why Kenshin was known as the God Of War. History Marche has a good video on this battle. 22.) Another mistake they made here, they say that in 1557 Kenshin dies, that is MASSIVELY incorrect. Kenshin died in 1578 a few months after his victory at the Battle of Tedorigawa. They also said that Kenshin was planning a massive assault on Oda lands. Yeah, about that. Funny enough, Kenshin did the opposite. Ueusgi Kenshin was actually a rather relatively passive figure during the Sengoku Jidai. He did not expand much, only reclaiming land that his predecessors had lost. He only wanted to secure his home province of Echigo. Nobunaga was threatening Echigo and Ueusgi independence, so Kenshin had to deal with Nobunaga. After Nobunaga’s defeat at Tedorigawa, Kenshin seems to have actually taken a back seat. Also, he died without a biological heir, as Kenshin was a devout Buddhist, and remained celibate his whole life. This does not mean he was lacking an heir, as he had two adopted sons. Though they both had a succession dispute after Kenshin’s death, which severely weakened the clan. Though they came to an agreement with the Oda, and later the Toyotomi, as they would continue to be a major player well up until the end of the Sengoku Period. 23.) That siege Hideyoshi was maintaining was against one of the allies/vassals of the Mori Clan, the clan who were supplying the monks of Ishiyama-Honganji. Like I said, they are a major player, and at least deserved a mention, which they do not get. The Mori Clan of Chubu were the most powerful Clan in Western Japan, they practically controlled the entirety of southern Honshu (Japan’s largest island), and were very large in size. They were doing their own expansionist wars in the south into the islands of Shikoku and Kyushu, until the Oda were on their doorstep. They were a tough nut to crack, and i am upset that they didn’t at least get a mention. Also, the siege Hideyoshi was maintaining was not to the north, but more south west. 24.) You’re right, Nobunaga’s death here was anti-climactic, because Extra History neglected to give hints of Mitsuhide’s betrayal before this. In fact, we dont even hear of Mitsuhide until this moment. So let me just fill in the blanks. Akechi Mitsuhide was a prominent samurai and general who initially served under Oda Nobunaga, one of the most powerful warlords of the Sengoku period. Mitsuhide met Nobunaga in the 1560s, as he was the messenger for Ashikaga Yoshiaki to ask Nobunaga help restore the shogun. He later joined Nobunaga’s forces during his successful march on the capital. Mitsuhide quickly rose through the ranks due to his strategic abilities and was entrusted with several key positions and military campaigns. However, in 1582, Mitsuhide betrayed Nobunaga in the infamous Incident at Honnō-ji, leading to Nobunaga's death. The reasons for Mitsuhide's betrayal remain debated, as he never gave a reason, but several factors may have influenced his decision. Firstly, Nobunaga was known for his kind treatment of thise over lower class, but also his harsh and often humiliating treatment of his vassals. There are stories of Nobunaga kicking Mitsuhide, there are other stories of Nobunaga threatening him at spear point to drink, Mitsuhide himself had been publicly insulted on several occasions, which could have fostered deep resentment. Second, Mitsuhide may have been loyal to the Ashikaga Shogunate, which Nobunaga was actively undermining. This loyalty could have conflicted with his service to Nobunaga, prompting his betrayal as an attempt to restore traditional authority. Mitsuhide’s ambition is another possible factor, by eliminating Nobunaga, he may have hoped to seize power and assert his own control over Nobunaga’s territories. However, his control was short-lived, as you will see. There is also a story of Mitsuhide convincing the lord of a castle to surrender after a siege. The lord agreed to surrender if Mitsuhide gave his mother as a hostage, mitsuhide agreed. When this lord was brought before Nobunaga, he ordered him to be executed. Obviously, as punishment for this, Mitsuhide’s mother was killed. You could probably imagine how he thought of Nobunaga after that. Another question you may have is, why did Akechi’s men not turn on him for betraying Nobunaga? This was because they were not men loyal to Nobunaga, they were men loyal to Akechi’s clan. Since Akechi’s clan was serving Nobunaga, they are technically in service to Nobunaga, but once Mitsuhide switches sides, they are now enemies of Nobunaga. But yeah, this is one thing about this series I cannot forgive, as there was a much better way of handling it. Such as not talking about Sugitani Zenjubo’s attempted assassination and instead mentioning these signs. It ruins the surprise imo. Thats all I could find for these episodes. Sorry for the really long answers and corrections, its just difficult to provide short answers with all the details and stuff. I really hope you do more on this period.