1. Personal Ambitions:
* Desire for Power: Some believe that Mitsuhide, a skilled and ambitious general, saw an opportunity to seize power for himself. Nobunaga's dominance and ruthlessness might have fueled a desire to supplant him.
* Frustration with Nobunaga's Ruthlessness: Mitsuhide might have been disturbed by Nobunaga's ruthless tactics, particularly the burning of the Honnō-ji temple, which held great religious significance.
2. Political Disagreements:
* Nobunaga's Policies: Mitsuhide might have disagreed with Nobunaga's political policies, such as his attempts to consolidate power and his support for Christianity.
* Dissatisfaction with Position: Some argue that Mitsuhide felt undervalued or overlooked by Nobunaga, leading to resentment.
3. External Influences:
* Conspiracy: There are theories that Mitsuhide was involved in a conspiracy with other powerful figures, such as Tokugawa Ieyasu, who saw an opportunity to weaken Nobunaga's power.
* Manipulation by Nobunaga's Enemies: Some believe that Nobunaga's enemies might have manipulated Mitsuhide into betraying him, exploiting his grievances or ambitions.
4. Mental Instability:
* Stress and Pressure: The intense pressure and stress of serving under Nobunaga, combined with potential mental instability, might have pushed Mitsuhide to act irrationally.
5. The "Honnō-ji Incident" Itself:
* Lack of Clear Orders: Some argue that Mitsuhide received ambiguous orders from Nobunaga, leading to a misunderstanding that triggered his actions.
* Sudden Change of Plans: Nobunaga's abrupt change of plans might have caught Mitsuhide off guard and fueled his suspicions about being betrayed.
The truth likely lies somewhere in a combination of these factors. It's crucial to remember that history is a complex tapestry, and interpreting past events requires careful consideration of multiple perspectives and available evidence.
Despite the lack of definitive answers, the assassination of Nobunaga by Akechi Mitsuhide remains a pivotal event in Japanese history, marking a turning point in the tumultuous Sengoku period.