The Rat and the Horse – Mori Ranmaru’s Ominous Words

Welcome to the fifth episode of The Words of the Samurai. This time, we turn to one of the most talked-about betrayals in Japanese history: the Honnōji Incident. Why did Akechi Mitsuhide turn on Oda Nobunaga? The answer remains a mystery, but some stories point to personal tensions—especially with Mori Ranmaru, Nobunaga’s close aide. Could this rivalry have lit the fuse that led to Nobunaga’s end?

The Honnōji Incident

The Honnōji Incident, which occurred on June 2nd, 1582, was one of the most significant events of Japan’s Sengoku period.
Its true cause remains unknown, as Akechi Mitsuhide, who led the coup, died without ever explaining why he turned on Oda Nobunaga.

Many theories have emerged over time.
One of them claims that the betrayal was driven by a personal conflict between Mitsuhide and Mori Ranmaru.

Ranmaru, the third son of Mori Yoshinari, who died fighting the Asai-Asakura forces, is often remembered as Nobunaga’s favorite retainer, known for his beauty and devotion.

One day, after having a strange dream, Nobunaga said:

“I saw a horse being eaten by a rat.”

Ranmaru replied immediately:

“That’s a bad sign, my lord. You were born in the year of the Horse, and Lord Akechi was born in the year of the Rat.
The dream could be warning of a rebellion. Please be cautious.”

Nobunaga laughed it off.
But if this account is true, the tension between the two men may have run deeper than we think.

The fall of Nobunaga and Mitsuhide’s betrayal show how personal rivalries can shape history just as much as politics or war. Whether Mori Ranmaru truly played a role or not, this episode reminds us that even small tensions can explode with lasting consequences. Behind every great battle is a web of emotions, ambition, and choices that make history all the more human.