#256 Taira no Masakado's Grave

Otemachi, Tokyo

Taira no Masakado was a military commander active in the mid-Heian period. He worked hard to reform politics in the Kanto region and is said to have earned the deep trust of the people. However, in an attempt to further reform politics, he rebelled against the Imperial Court of the time. He started a large-scale rebellion known as the Tengyo Rebellion (Taira no Masakado Rebellion), and was killed in battle in 940. Having lost the battle, Taira no Masakado was beheaded at Shichijogawara in Heian-kyo, Kyoto.

Three days later, his head caused the earth to rumble, emitted a white light, flew into the night sky, and landed in this very spot. Afterwards, people connected to him placed his head here and built a tomb, which is how the "Masakadozuka" was born.

Later, in the 13th century, the grave fell into disrepair, and the surrounding area began to suffer frequent natural disasters such as floods. People thought "the angry spirit of Taira no Masakado was cursing the people of Edo." In 1307 (Tokuji 2), a monk, Shinkyo Shonin, performed a generous memorial service for the mound, and Taira no Masakado's spirit was finally appeased, becoming the guardian deity of the area.