――The Revolt of Taira no Masakado Began with a Family Feud in 935
When discussing the Revolt of Taira no Masakado, the focus often falls on the year 940, when Masakado declared himself the “New Emperor” and seized control of the Kanto region.
For a detailed explanation of the events of the Revolt of Taira no Masakado itself, please refer to this article.
However, before Masakado turned against the imperial court, there was a prolonged family conflict that lasted several years.
The first major casualty in this conflict was Taira no Kunika.
Kunika was the son of Taira no Takamochi and the brother of Taira no Yoshimasa, Masakado’s father.
To Masakado, Kunika was an uncle. And Kunika’s son was Taira no Sadamori, who would later defeat Masakado.
In essence,
The death of Kunika → The rise of Sadamori → Intensified conflict with Masakado → The defeat of Masakado formed a sequence that would shape subsequent history.
Why, then, did members of the same Taira clan end up in such a bloody conflict?
The answer lies in the structure of the Taira clan, which had been expanding its influence in the Kanto region since the late 9th century.
1. The Taira Clan’s Expansion into the Kanto Region
Kunika’s father was Taira no Takamochi.
He was a descendant of Emperor Kanmu.
According to genealogies and later historical records, Takamochi was granted the Taira surname in the first year of Kanpei (889) and descended into the ranks of the nobility, serving as the governor of Kazusa Province in the eastern regions.
Subsequently, Takamochi’s sons expanded their influence throughout the Kanto region.
Kunika was one of them.
The key point here is the Taira clan’s relocation to the Kanto region.
In Kyoto, the Taira were a clan with imperial blood.
However, upon moving to the Kanto region, their status changed.
While holding official positions as provincial governors, they built relationships with local lands, people, and influential figures.
Gradually, “being an official of the imperial court” and “being a local armed power” became one and the same.
This laid the foundation for the later Revolt of Taira no Masakado.
2. Kunika Served as the Deputy Governor of Hitachi
Kunika held the position of Deputy Governor of Hitachi.
Hitachi Province corresponds to present-day Ibaraki Prefecture.
The provincial government was located near present-day Ishioka City.
The position of Deputy Governor was one of the four key official roles in the provincial administration of Hitachi.
Kunika established his residence in Ishida in Makabe District, Hitachi Province.
This location is identified as being around the current Higashi-Ishida area in Chikusei City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
Kunika wielded power in this region.
For local influential figures at the time, a residence was more than just a home.
It was where the family lived, retainers gathered, supplies were stored, and troops assembled in times of need.
In other words, the residence itself was a hub of political, economic, and military activity.
Years later, Kunika’s Ishida residence would be set ablaze by Masakado’s forces.
3. Kunika and Minamoto no Mamoru—A Power Tied by Marriage
To understand Kunika’s position, another key figure must be considered.
Minamoto no Mamoru.
He was a former Deputy Governor of Hitachi and held influence within the province.
Kunika and Mamoru were reportedly related by marriage.
This marital connection linked the local powers of the Taira and Minamoto clans.
However, a conflict arose between Mamoru’s family and Taira no Masakado.
This marked a turning point in Kunika’s fate.
4. Masakado Clashes with the Minamoto Clan
In February of the fifth year of Shohei (935), Taira no Masakado headed towards the Makabe District in Hitachi Province.
Along the way, he was ambushed by Mamoru’s sons,
Minamoto no Tasu, Minamoto no Takashi, and Minamoto no Shigeru.
The location was Nomoto.
Masakado engaged in battle with Mamoru’s sons here.
The “Shomonki” vividly describes this battle.
Masakado’s side gained the upper hand, releasing a barrage of arrows.
The arrows flew like a stream into the enemy ranks, overwhelming Mamoru’s side.
Minamoto no Tasu and his brothers fought valiantly.
However, the battle ended in victory for Masakado’s side.
According to the “Shomonki,” many were killed, and few survived.
Masakado did not turn back from here.
He continued to advance towards the enemy’s stronghold.
5. February 4—Masakado’s Forces Set Enemy Homes Ablaze
February 4, fifth year of Shohei (935).
Masakado’s forces set fire to homes in Nomoto, Ishida, Okushi, and Toriki.
They even burned down the small residences of those who had sided with Mamoru.
The “Shomonki” records that
over 500 homes in the three districts of Tsukuba, Makabe, and Niihari were burned.
Over 500 homes.
This was not merely the burning of a single residence.
It was an attack that destroyed the very livelihoods of those who had supported the enemy.
The “Shomonki” describes the devastation in vivid terms.
Those hiding inside their homes were driven out by smoke, only to be met with arrows outside.
People trying to escape the flames found themselves returning to the inferno.
Homes burned, and possessions were lost.
The smoke rose to cover the sky, and the sound of the fire roared like thunder.
This was not a mere “burning of a residence.”
It was a war that engulfed the entire community.
6. The Ishida Residence Engulfed in Flames
Among the homes burned was Taira no Kunika’s Ishida residence.
The “Shomonki” notes that Kunika’s residence was consumed by fire, and Kunika himself perished.
What is historically significant here is the depiction of Kunika’s final moments.
The relevant section of the extant “Shomonki” contains gaps.
Therefore, it is impossible to fully reconstruct the circumstances of Kunika’s death.
Later historical sources mention “Masakado and Kunika fought at Ishida, and Kunika was killed.”
However, what can be stated with certainty from the extant “Shomonki” is that
Masakado’s forces burned the Ishida area, Kunika’s residence was destroyed, and Kunika died.
Thus, it is more accurate to interpret Kunika’s end as
“he was killed during Masakado’s attack on the Ishida area, where his residence was burned,” rather than simply “he was slain in direct confrontation with Masakado.”
7. Sadamori Learns of His Father’s Death
Kunika had a son.
At this time, Sadamori was in Kyoto.
He served the imperial court as an official, holding the position of Left Stable Master, as noted in the “Shomonki.”
It was there that he received the news of his father Kunika’s death.
Sadamori hurried back to the eastern provinces.
This marked the beginning of a significant shift in Sadamori’s life.
However, this is where it gets fascinating.
Initially, Sadamori did not think,
“I must avenge my father’s death by defeating Masakado.”
In fact, Sadamori’s judgment, as depicted in the “Shomonki,” was quite the opposite.
8. Sadamori Considered Reconciliation with Masakado
Sadamori investigated the circumstances of the incident.
He concluded that Masakado was not the true enemy.
Kunika had been drawn into a conflict due to his ties with Mamoru’s family.
This was Sadamori’s assessment.
Sadamori’s words, as recorded in the “Shomonki,” express the idea of
“reconciling with Masakado.”
He intended to mend relations with Masakado, maintaining the unity of the Taira clan.
This was Sadamori’s initial thought.
In other words,
Kunika’s death ≠ an immediate showdown between Sadamori and Masakado.
This is crucial for understanding the Revolt of Taira no Masakado.
Kunika’s death did not irreparably damage relations with Masakado; Sadamori initially sought to repair them.
However, another figure entered the scene.
9. Taira no Yoshikane Moves Against Masakado
Kunika’s brother, Taira no Yoshikane.
Yoshikane was Masakado’s uncle.
After Kunika’s death, Yoshikane became a central figure opposing Masakado.
Kunika’s brother, Taira no Yoshimasa, also clashed with Masakado.
On October 21, fifth year of Shohei (935),
Yoshimasa gathered troops and fought Masakado at Kawamawari in Niihari District.
But he was defeated.
Yoshimasa sought assistance from his brother Yoshikane.
Thus, the conflict within the Taira clan widened further.
At the time of Kunika’s death, Sadamori was still considering reconciliation with Masakado.
However, other family members continued to fight Masakado.
Gradually, Sadamori found himself unable to escape this conflict.
10. Kunika’s Death Changed the Taira Clan’s Internal Conflict
While Kunika was alive, the Taira clan had several influential figures.
Kunika, Yoshikane, Yoshimasa, and Masakado’s father, Yoshimasa.
Each had their own base in the Kanto region.
However, in 935, Kunika died.
As a result, the responsibility of inheriting Kunika’s influence fell to his son, Sadamori.
Sadamori now bore the dual roles of a Kyoto official and a member of the Taira clan in the Kanto region.
This is where the complexity of the conflict with Masakado arises.
Masakado was a Taira. Sadamori was a Taira. Yoshikane was a Taira. Yoshimasa was a Taira.
Despite being of the same clan,
they clashed over land, familial ties, official positions, and leadership within the clan.
The first half of the Revolt of Taira no Masakado was essentially this family feud.
11. Ishida, Where Kunika’s Residence Stood
In the area around present-day Higashi-Ishida in Chikusei City, Ibaraki Prefecture, there is a site said to be the remains of Kunika’s residence.
Ishida was the base from which Kunika built his power in Hitachi.
That residence was burned in 935.
Kunika died.
And a few years later, this area became the stage for intensified battles between Masakado and Sadamori.
The Taira clan expanded into the Kanto region, amassing power based on land.
And over that same land, the clan members fought each other.
The Taira clan in the Kanto region grew strong by acquiring land, and it was over this land that they ended up fighting each other.
This is at the heart of the Revolt of Taira no Masakado.
12. From Kunika’s Death to the Defeat of Masakado
In 935, Mamoru’s sons attacked Masakado. Masakado retaliated.
On February 4, Masakado’s forces burned the areas of Tsukuba, Makabe, and Niihari. Over 500 homes were destroyed. The Ishida residence was also burned. Kunika died.
Afterward, Yoshimasa fought Masakado. Yoshikane also mobilized troops.
Sadamori was drawn into the conflict with Masakado.
And a few years later,
On February 14, third year of Tenkei (940).
Taira no Masakado fought against the forces of Taira no Sadamori and Fujiwara no Hidesato.
The location was Ishii in the northern part of Shimousa Province.
Masakado was defeated there.
At the center of this was Taira no Kunika’s son, Taira no Sadamori.
13. The Boy Who Lost His Father Became the Man Who Defeated Masakado
About five years after Kunika’s death.
The Ishida residence was burned in 935.
In 940, Masakado was defeated.
During these five years, the situation in the Kanto region changed dramatically.
Kunika’s death. The battles with Yoshimasa and Yoshikane. Sadamori’s return. Masakado’s expansion of power.
And Masakado’s proclamation as “New Emperor.”
Ultimately, Sadamori, along with Fujiwara no Hidesato, defeated Masakado.
Taira no Kunika himself perished in the early stages of the conflict with Masakado.
However, his death set in motion
a significant change in his son Sadamori’s life.
And from Sadamori’s descendants emerged the great flow of the later Taira clan.
Taira no Kunika is indispensable when discussing the Revolt of Taira no Masakado.
Because,
he was the figure who lost his life in Masakado’s first major conflict, and whose death propelled Sadamori to the center of the struggle.
Next, we will follow the life of his son, Taira no Sadamori.
The man who returned to the eastern provinces upon learning of his father Kunika’s death, initially considered reconciliation with Masakado, but eventually moved to defeat him.
The Hitachi Province, where Taira no Kunika built his power, is present-day Ibaraki Prefecture.
After reading about history, trying Ibaraki’s specialty, dried sweet potatoes, is also recommended.
Enjoy the simple sweetness while reflecting on the Kanto region during the Heian period.
