11. The Honno-ji Incident - The Night the Demon King Burned

June 21, 1582—The Honno-ji Incident (本能寺の変). Why did the great warlord Oda Nobunaga vanish into the flames? With the sudden betrayal of Akechi Mitsuhide, the course of Japanese history changed forever. This song brings to life the ultimate turning point of the Sengoku period through a hard-hitting rock anthem. Part 11 of the Sengoku Rock Series. A dramatic historical saga told through the distinct perspectives of the three unifiers: Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Ieyasu. 織田信長, 豊臣秀吉, 徳川家康 ▶ What do you think drove Mitsuhide to turn against his lord? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! 0:00 Intro 0:13 Nobunaga orders Mitsuhide to reinforce Hideyoshi; enters Honno-ji as an ominous shadow approaches 0:56 Chorus: Report of the rebellion; Nobunaga realizes the betrayal but accepts his fate, setting fire to the temple 1:35 Hideyoshi learns of Nobunaga's death at Takamatsu and begins the frantic "Great Chūgoku Return" 2:00 Ieyasu hears the news while in Sakai and desperately seeks an escape route back to Okazaki 2:14 Chorus: Nobunaga reflects on his dream of "Tenka Fubu" and resolves to end his own life 2:54 Hideyoshi fights the battle of retribution at Yamazaki (Mount Tennōzan) 3:04 Guitar Solo 3:18 Ieyasu's dangerous escape through the mountains of Iga alongside Hattori Hanzō 3:35 Final Chorus: The tragic climax of the Honno-ji Incident ──────────── 【LYRICS】 ──────────── [Verse 1 – Nobunaga] Mitsuhide, go— Join Hideyoshi and break the Mōri line. I too shall leave for Kyoto, To the temple of the Lotus Sutra. The lights have faded, Only Honnō-ji remains. [Pre-Chorus 1 – Nobunaga] Through Kyoto's darkened night The cries of battle rise. The men of Tamba surround me now. I know what this means— It cannot be helped. [Chorus 1 – Nobunaga] Honnō-ji! Is this rebellion? Whose design has brought me here? Honnō-ji! The banners of Tamba tell the truth. Anyone but you. I never thought it would be you. Draw the bow. Take up the spear. The end has come. Set this place aflame. [Verse 2 – Hideyoshi] At Takamatsu, the waters rise, The enemy stands isolated. Then the message arrives. My lord has fallen— Slain in Kyoto. Without delay, The Great Chūgoku Return begins. [Pre-Chorus 2 – Ieyasu] With only a few companions, I wander the streets of Sakai. Then Shirōjirō brings the news. The road to Okazaki is cut. [Chorus 2 – Nobunaga] Honnō-ji! The dream of Azuchi burns away, Consumed by fate and consequence. Honnō-ji! Hear me, Mitsuhide— You can't grasp the ashes of my dream. Tenka Fubu falls in flames. Let it scatter into the heavens, My name carried with it. [Bridge – Hideyoshi] Yamazaki. Mount Tennōzan. The armies gather there. A requiem for my lord Shall be sung upon that field. [Bridge – Ieyasu] The mountains of Iga are wrapped in mist. With Hanzō at my side, I slip through the darkness. Toward Okazaki lies the path of survival. [Final Chorus – Nobunaga] Honnō-ji! It cannot be helped. Compared with life beneath the heavens— Honnō-ji! What thing can truly escape destruction? Life's just a mist upon the stream. Tenka Fubu falls in flames. Let it scatter into the heavens, My name ascending with the smoke. ──────────── ▼ Series Playlist    • 1.信長・秀吉・家康 ― 戦国３英傑「天下夢幻」【歴史ハードロック】   ▼ All 12 Songs: Nobunaga Arc Album - Japanese original versions    • 織田信長の生涯【全12曲】桶狭間から本能寺、そして安土炎上へ   ▼ All 12 Songs: Hideyoshi Arc Album - Japanese original versions    • 豊臣秀吉の生涯【全12曲】中国路から関白、そして朝鮮出兵へ   ▼ The Honno-ji Incident(本能寺) - Japanese original versions    • 11. 本能寺の変 ― 天下人が燃えた夜   ──────────── #honnojiincident #odanobunaga #akechimitsuhide #toyotomihideyoshi #tokugawaieyasu #sengokuperiod #samuraihistory #HistoryRock