The Battle of Yamazaki occurred in 1582 during the Sengoku period. The battle saw Hideyoshi Toyotomi defeat Mitsuhide Akechi, avenging Akechi's murder of their lord Nobunaga Oda and taking Nobunaga's authority and power for himself.
In June 1582, Mitsuhide Akechi seized power in a military coup in Kyoto and forced Nobunaga Oda, the most powerful ruler in the land, to commit seppuku. Thirteen days later, Hideyoshi returned from his campaign against the Mori in the west to avenge Nobunaga's death by bringing Mitsuhide to battle. The two armies met in battle at Yamazaki in Yamashiro Province.
Hideyoshi's army faced Mitsuhide's army along the Enmyoji River in the shadow of Mount Tenno. As all roads and waterways led to the mountaintop, Hideyoshi decided that it was of critical importance, and Kanbei Kuroda headed to occupy the mountain as Hideyoshi held off the main Akechi force. Hideyoshi prevented any Akechi forces from reaching the southeastern garrison, thereby preventing the Akechi from becoming aware of Kuroda's movements.
After Kuroda reached the top of the mountain, he had his soldiers push boulders and rain arrows onto the Akechi troops below, and Hideyoshi then pressed his attack. Mitsuhide ordered for his soldiers to recapture Mount Tenno, but Hideyoshi repelled these attacks and helped the outnumbered Kuroda defend the mountain. He then defeated Hidemitsu Akechi, who was in command of the main Akechi force, but a dying Hidemitsu said that his death was worth it due to his buying time for Mitsuhide.
Just then, Mitsuhide Akechi and his ally Motochika Chosokabe arrived near the Toyotomi main camp on several ships, and their soldiers attacked Hidenaga Toyotomi's forces. Hideyoshi had the entire army return to the main camp, which held out until reinforcements arrived. The combined Toyotomi army then succeeded in defeating Mitsuhide, who was forced to flee. Mitsuhide fled as far as Ogurusu, where he was killed by bandits. The battle left Hideyoshi as the most powerful ruler in the land.