However, as his soldiers deserted one after another, Mitsuhide secretly left Shoryuji-jo Castle and tried to retreat to Sakamoto-jo Castle (Otsu City) where he had been based, but on his way he came across native villagers hunting fleeing soldiers of the enemy in a yabu (bamboo grove) at Ogurisu (in today's Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City) (the grove is now called 'Akechi Yabu') and, though he managed to survive the ambush, is said to have committed jijin, seconded by one of his vassals.
しかし、兵の脱走が相次ぎ、光秀は勝竜寺城を密かに脱出して居城坂本城（大津市）をさして落ち延びる途中、小栗栖（京都市伏見区）の藪（現在は「明智藪」と呼ばれる）で土民の落ち武者狩りに遭い、なんとか逃れたものの力尽き家臣の介錯により自刃したと言われる。