Akechi Mitsuharu

Who was 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. Mitsuharu assisted his cousin following the Incident at Honnō-ji during the year of 1582, but was too late to save his cousin's unfortunate death at the Battle of Yamazaki following a certain battle at Uchide-hama, in which he was defeated by Hori Hidemasa. Throughout this event, Mitsuharu crossed the narrow neck of Lake Biwa on his famous horse Okage to escape. This scene is very often depicted in many Japanese artworks. Mitsutoshi then performed his famous and unpredicted act of committing hara-kiri while writing a poem on a door with blood from his abdomen used as ink for his brush.