83. General Akashi Gidayu

Akashi Gidayu was a general under Akechi Mitsuhide (Print #8, and #19). After Mitsuhide had killed Oda Nobunaga in 1582, he sent Gidayu to face the troops that remained loyal to Nobunaga. However, Gidayu was defeated at Amagasaki, a seaside village in present-day Hyogo Prefecture. Remorseful about his failure he disobeys his lord, and is about to commit suicide. His death poem reads: "As I am about to enter the ranks of those who disobey - ever more brightly shines the moon of the summer night." (printed April 1890)