Akechi Samanosuke’s Crossing of Lake

In June 2, 1582, Akechi Mitsuhide killed his lord, Oda Nobunaga, at Honnoji Temple in Kyoto. Soon after, only about 10 days later, June 13, Mitsuhide was defeated by Hashiba Hideyoshi at the Battle of Yamazaki. Akechi Samanosuke, his son in law, who occupied Azuchi Castle, headed to Sakamoto Castle, Mitsuhide’s main castle, to go into the battle as soon as he received the sad news of his father-in-law’s passing. However, he encountered the troops of Hori Hidemasa, the pioneer of the Hashiba army in Otsu, on the way to the final destination, and faced a predicament, as he lost a significant number of his soldiers. Then, Samanosuke boldly went into the lake with his horse at Uchidenohama and swam to Yanagasaki, cutting down the enemies following him, and finally entered Sakamoto Castle where Mitsuhide’s family had confined themselves. Now, on the side of the Museum of Shiga Prefecture, Biwako-Bunkakan in Uchidenohama, the monument engraved as “The place where Akechi Samanosuke crossed the lake” stands.

place associated with
Uchidenohama, Yanagasaki

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