In July, 1582, when Nobunaga was killed by his vassal Mitsuhide AKECHI in the Honnoji Incident, Toshiie was fighting under the command of Katsuie SHIBATA to capture Ecchu Uozu-jo Castle which the troops of Kagekatsu UESUGI held, so he could not take part in the attack against Mitsuhide by Hideyoshi.
天正10年（1582年）6月の本能寺の変で信長が家臣の明智光秀により討たれた時、利家は柴田勝家に従い、上杉景勝軍の籠る越中魚津城を攻略中であり、秀吉の光秀攻撃に加わることができなかった。