Taira no Masakado
平将門
Rebel warrior (c.903–940) who declared himself 'New Emperor'; one of Japan's most powerful vengeful spirits; enshrined as a guardian deity in Kanto
About
Taira no Masakado (c.903–940) was a warrior of the Kanmu Taira clan who rebelled against the central government, seized the Kanto region, declared himself the 'New Emperor' in 939, and was killed in 940 by the combined forces of Fujiwara no Hidesato and Taira no Sadamori. His severed head, sent to Kyoto for display, is said to have flown back to the Kanto region on its own.
After his death, earthquakes, plagues, and disasters struck Kyoto, which the court attributed to his vengeful spirit (onryo). Kanda Myojin (Kanda Shrine in Tokyo) enshrined his spirit from at least the Edo period to appease his wrath, and he became a powerful guardian deity of Edo/Tokyo. His grave at Kubizuka in Otemachi, Tokyo—in the middle of a government building complex—is treated with reverence to this day.
Along with Sugawara no Michizane and Sutoku Tenno, Masakado is counted among Japan's 'Three Great Onryo' (vengeful spirits). He is revered by residents of the Kanto region as a local protector.
Shrines Dedicated to This Deity
| Shrine | Prefecture | Network Role |
|---|---|---|
| Kanda Shrine (Kanda Myojin) 神田神社 | Tokyo | head |
| Tsukudo Shrine 築土神社 | Tokyo | head |
| Shogun Shrine 将門神社 | Chiba | head |
Frequently Asked Questions
Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team
Who is Taira no Masakado in Japanese mythology?
Taira no Masakado (平将門) is Rebel warrior (c.903–940) who declared himself 'New Emperor'; one of Japan's most powerful vengeful spirits; enshrined as a guardian deity in Kanto. This deity appears in Historical and is enshrined at 3 shrines across Japan.
What shrines are dedicated to Taira no Masakado?
There are 3 shrines in our database dedicated to Taira no Masakado, including Kanda Shrine (Kanda Myojin), Tsukudo Shrine, Shogun Shrine.
What myths involve Taira no Masakado?
Taira no Masakado appears in myths from Historical. The deity is known as Rebel warrior (c.903–940) who declared himself 'New Emperor'; one of Japan's most powerful vengeful spirits; enshrined as a guardian deity in Kanto.