Honnō-ji Incident

Belligerents Oda forces under Akechi Mitsuhide's command Inhabitants and garrison of Honnō-ji, courtiers, merchants, artists, and servants of Oda NobunagaCommanders and leadersStrength 13,000 70Casualties and losses Unknown, presumably minimalOda Nobunaga, Mori Ranmaru, Oda Nobutada, and many others

The Honnō-ji Incident (本能寺の変, Honnō-ji no Hen) was the attempted assassination of Japanese daimyoOda Nobunaga at Honnō-ji in Kyoto in 1582. Nobunaga was on the verge of unifying the country, but died by seppuku in the unexpected rebellion of his vassal Akechi Mitsuhide.

Nobunaga only had a few guards and retainers with him when he was attacked, ending his Sengoku period campaign to unify Japan under his power. Nobunaga's death was avenged two weeks later when his retainer Toyotomi Hideyoshi defeated Mitsuhide in the Battle of Yamazaki, paving the way for Hideyoshi to complete the unification of Japan.

Mitsuhide's motive for assassinating Nobunaga is unknown, though there are multiple theories for his betrayal.