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==The Life of Taira no Masakado==

==The Life of Taira no Masakado==

Taira no Masakado was a provincial official and early samurai in the Kanto region of Japan.  He briefly served in the capital under the regent [[Fujiwara no Tadahira]], and later became an important figure in his home province.  In [[935]] he began a campaign against rivals in and around Hitachi that would become known as the "Taira no Masakado Incident" ([i]Taira no Masakado no Ran[/i]).  Over the next five years, he would wage both a physical and legal battle with his rivals, alternating between the status of outlaw and deputized official of the court in [[Heian-kyo]].  Finally, in the 10th month of 939, he attacked the Hitachi Provincial Headquarters, an act that placed him in official rebellion against the court.  He then went on to attack other capitals, eventually consolidating eight of the eastern provinces under his direct control.  He was finally killed on the 14th day of the 2nd month of 940.  After his death, his head was taken back to the capital and put on display.  In later eras there were many rumors, myths, and legends regarding Taira no Masakado's severed head, including attributions of wrathful vengeance in the mid-20th century. One of the chief stories of his life and death is a late 10th century ''[[gunkimono]]'' known as the ''[[Shomonki|Shômonki]]''.<ref>''Shômon'' being the Chinese-style or ''on-yomi'' of the characters for "Masakado."</ref>

Taira no Masakado was a provincial official and early samurai in the Kanto region of Japan.  He briefly served in the capital under the regent [[Fujiwara no Tadahira]], and later became an important figure in his home province.  In [[935]] he began a campaign against rivals in and around Hitachi that would become known as the "Taira no Masakado Incident" (''Taira no Masakado no Ran'').  Over the next five years, he would wage both a physical and legal battle with his rivals, alternating between the status of outlaw and deputized official of the court in [[Heian-kyo]].  Finally, in the 10th month of 939, he attacked the Hitachi Provincial Headquarters, an act that placed him in official rebellion against the court.  He then went on to attack other capitals, eventually consolidating eight of the eastern provinces under his direct control.  He was finally killed on the 14th day of the 2nd month of 940.  After his death, his head was taken back to the capital and put on display.  In later eras there were many rumors, myths, and legends regarding Taira no Masakado's severed head, including attributions of wrathful vengeance in the mid-20th century. One of the chief stories of his life and death is a late 10th century ''[[gunkimono]]'' known as the ''[[Shomonki|Shômonki]]''.<ref>''Shômon'' being the Chinese-style or ''on-yomi'' of the characters for "Masakado."</ref>

===Childhood===

===Childhood===

The heads of Masakado and his followers, which had been tagged and preserved in salt, were paraded through the streets on spears.  Before them went an officer with a banner enumerating their crimes, and Masakado's head, at least, was hung from a tree near the East Market.

The heads of Masakado and his followers, which had been tagged and preserved in salt, were paraded through the streets on spears.  Before them went an officer with a banner enumerating their crimes, and Masakado's head, at least, was hung from a tree near the East Market.

What happened from there is more legendary and historical. There are many tales of the head gnashing its teeth, or otherwise remaining animated and unchanged for months after it was first hung.  Some stories claim that the head flew off towards the east, with at least two shrines claiming to be the final resting place of Masakado's cranium. One of them is in present-day Tokyo, and Masakado's spirit is still said to cause strange happenings in the neighborhood of kubizuka.  There are still other shrines claiming to hold other parts of his body--including torso, hands, etc.--or pieces of his arms or armor.

What happened from there is more legendary and historical. There are many tales of the head gnashing its teeth, or otherwise remaining animated and unchanged for months after it was first hung.  Some stories claim that the head flew off towards the east, with at least two shrines claiming to be the final resting place of Masakado's cranium. One of them is in present-day [[Tokyo]], and Masakado's spirit is still said to cause strange happenings in the neighborhood of ''kubizuka''.  There are still other shrines claiming to hold other parts of his body--including torso, hands, etc.--or pieces of his arms or armor.

==References==

==References==