Thoughts after watching Episode 27 of 'Toyotomi Brothers!', 'The Honno-ji Incident'
In yesterday's post, I wrote an article about how the Honno-ji Incident would be depicted in Episode 27 of 'Toyotomi Brothers!' before it had even aired. Now that I have actually watched it, I am left with the lingering impression of having witnessed a story leading up to the Honno-ji Incident that was more 'human' than ever before.
This time, I will organize my thoughts after finishing the broadcast.
The Honno-ji Incident in 'Toyotomi Brothers!'
The core of the Honno-ji Incident in this work is Mitsuhide's sudden decision. To this, they have layered a bold hypothesis that Oda Nobuzumi was targeting the life of his uncle, Nobunaga, as revenge for his father, Nobukatsu. Furthermore, the development hints at the worsening relationship with Chosokabe Motochika, which has been cited in recent years as one of the causes of the Honno-ji Incident, and even touches upon the long-standing theories that Ashikaga Yoshiaki or Tokugawa Ieyasu were the masterminds.
I am impressed by how they have skillfully combined historical facts, conventional theories, hypotheses created to heighten the drama, and the human weaknesses and karma that everyone possesses, to weave the Honno-ji Incident—an event shrouded in mystery unlike any other in Japanese history—into a single cohesive drama.
However, there is no evidence that Nobuzumi and Mitsuhide conspired, nor are there historical documents indicating secret communication with Chosokabe Motochika. For those who value historical accuracy, this may have seemed like an unreasonable development, or what one might call a 'far-fetched' story.
Personally, when Hidenaga was looking up at the burning Honno-ji Temple, I wanted to interject and ask, 'Why are you there?' I understand the intention to involve the protagonist in the event. However, I still question whether it was truly necessary.
Oda Nobuzumi, the nephew of Nobunaga who lived for revenge
What impressed me most this time was the portrayal of Oda Nobuzumi. Although it was decades ago, when I first learned about him, the thing that surprised me most was the fact that he was the son of Nobukatsu, the younger brother executed by Nobunaga.
His father, Nobukatsu, plotted rebellion against his older brother Nobunaga twice and was eventually killed by him. Despite this, Nobunaga did not kill his son, Nobuzumi, but instead had him raised by Shibata Katsuie and treated him generously as a member of the Oda clan. At the time, there were parts I couldn't fully understand, such as, 'Did he have any doubts about serving as a vassal to the man who killed his father?' However, there is no record of Nobuzumi plotting anything; rather, he seemed to have lived up to Nobunaga's expectations. That is why I convinced myself with my own reasoning, thinking, 'Perhaps he had no choice but to swallow it because it was a warring era,' or 'Perhaps he decided to risk his life for his uncle precisely because of his father's failures.'
That is precisely why, when this work presented the hypothesis that he actually wished for Nobunaga's death more than anyone else, my first thought was, 'So they went with that interpretation.' Precisely because there is no definitive historical evidence, depicting the dark, murky emotions that might have been deep in his heart feels more natural from a modern perspective. It might be different from the sensibilities of people who lived in that era, but as a dramatic story, it felt convincing.
The loneliness of Nobunaga at the pinnacle
In this work, Nobunaga's human weaknesses were glimpsed from time to time. His vision for unifying the realm was actually hazy, and he continued to regret executing his younger brother Nobukatsu. While he appeared reckless and eccentric to those around him, his inner life was filled with the same ordinary conflicts that everyone worries about. Moreover, because he was at the top of the organization, he couldn't confide his true feelings to anyone. I believe that was the kind of loneliness this version of Nobunaga carried.
That loneliness reached its peak in his final moments. On the verge of unifying the realm, he was not attended to by anyone, and he cut his own stomach with a short sword, all alone. The sight of him letting out a slight groan and dying while hunched forward was so lonely and fleeting. Perhaps Shun Oguri's acting made it feel even more so.
Even more impressive was the handling of that famous line, It cannot be helped. It is said to have been spoken when he realized he was surrounded by the Akechi army. However, in this work, he says it just before committing seppuku, right before ending his life. With an expression filled with ecstatic joy. Nobunaga as a human being who kept wavering inside while playing the role of the strong. It seems that his essence was condensed into that 'It cannot be helped.'
Mitsuhide, toyed with and breaking down
I should mention Jun Kaname, who played Akechi Mitsuhide, about whom I had worried in yesterday's article, wondering if he would 'stumble during the important scenes.' Needless to say, the result was a superb performance that proved my worries were unfounded.
The deciding factor for this Mitsuhide to betray Oda Nobunaga was that he was betrayed by the Shogun (Ashikaga Yoshiaki), whom he trusted implicitly, and went insane. Some might think, 'He betrays Nobunaga for a reason like that?' However, if you consider that Mitsuhide had endured Nobunaga's tyranny, including the burning of Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei, in order to eventually fulfill the Shogun's wishes, it is understandable that the tightly wound thread of his sanity would snap.
Caught between two polar opposite charismatic figures, the Shogun and Nobunaga, and toyed with until his heart finally broke. I was simply overwhelmed by his performance, which perfectly captured that sorrow and madness. I am truly glad that Jun Kaname was the one who played Akechi Mitsuhide in this work.
The Honno-ji Incident is not over yet
The Honno-ji Incident has occurred and Nobunaga has exited the stage, but Mitsuhide is still alive. Hideyoshi does not yet know about the incident at Honno-ji. How will the news of Nobunaga's death reach Hideyoshi? And how will they depict the 'Great Chugoku Retreat' to the Battle of Yamazaki? I am also curious if they will depict Shibata Katsuie's 'Great Hokuriku Retreat.' 'Toyotomi Brothers!' seems like it will continue to be enjoyable in the episodes to come.