The article presents a controversial new theory regarding the historical Battle of Yamazaki, where Toyotomi Hideyoshi famously defeated Akechi Mitsuhide to avenge his lord, Oda Nobunaga. It has been traditionally believed that Hideyoshi was pivotal in the battle; however, Professor Takahiro Mabe from Chukyo University argues that Hideyoshi was late to the fight. He bases this argument on a letter from Hideyoshi dated on the day of the battle, revealing that he was giving orders related to Himeji Castle while planning to attack a different target the following day. This suggests that Hideyoshi did not view the climactic encounter as taking place at Yamazaki, as Mitsuhide engaged in combat before Hideyoshi arrived.

The Battle of Yamazaki was fought on June 13, 1582, just days after the incident at Honno-ji, which led to Nobunaga's death. Yamaguchi's research draws attention to the sequence of events that transpired, indicating that Hideyoshi's troops were still preparing for battle while Mitsuhide acted independently by launching an attack. Following the defeat of Mitsuhide by the forces loyal to Nobunaga, the result of this maneuver led to a swift turn of fortunes, culminating in the ignoble end of Mitsuhide's rebellion.

This new interpretation not only challenges long-held beliefs about the battle but also invites further scrutiny of the historical records surrounding the events, including the possibility that Hideyoshi might have purposely obscured his delayed arrival to foster a narrative of prompt and decisive leadership. As historians and scholars re-examine this key moment in Japanese history, the implications of accurate timelines and actions could reshape our understanding of the power dynamics following Nobunaga's rule.