2025.04.09 2025.04.10

Taira Shomon, the guardian god of Tokyo ~ An unparalleled and powerful "yin" power spot ~ (3)

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Heishomon. His name is deeply engraved in history as a samurai who rebelled against the imperial court in the middle of the Heian period. However, his character is too complex and multifaceted to be dismissed as a "traitor." Shomon has a real image based on historical facts, a hero image that projects the aspirations of the people, and a grudge that has been passed down after death. These elements are intertwined and have given rise to various interpretations depending on the era and position. This paper traces the life of Taira Shomon in detail, examines historical facts and legends, and examines how people's aspirations shaped his character and continue to influence him to the present day.

Article Contents

Existence as a mirror image of the Heishomon, the rebel, the hero, the grudge, and the desire
- 1. The Rise of the Taira Shomon and Local Clans as Historical Facts and Resistance to Centralization

Existence as a mirror image of the Heishomon, the rebel, the hero, the grudge, and the desire

Kunichika Toyohara Sen Taiheiki Gigokuden Walters 95339

1. The Rise of the Taira Shomon and Local Clans as Historical Facts and Resistance to Centralization

Taira Shomon was born in Musashi Province (part of present-day Saitama, Tokyo, and Kanagawa Prefecture) as the son of Taira Masa, who was descended from the Takehei clan. At that time, the central government had weak control over the Kanto region, and local aristocracies were divided into conflicts with each other. As one of them, Shomon excelled in martial arts and led the surrounding samurai groups to expand their power. His origins were not just that of a provincial samurai, but that of a descendant of the imperial family, descended from Emperor Kammu, and that he was a potential source of power struggles.

What prompted Shomon to go down in history was his confrontation with the Kokuji of the surrounding countries. Kokuji were local officials dispatched by the central government, many of whom were unscrupulous bureaucrats who enriched themselves. Shomon denounced the injustice of Kokuji, and sometimes resisted by force. In the background, there was a strong dissatisfaction with the harsh exploitation by the central government and the lack of understanding of the local government.

In particular, the conflict with King Kosei, the guardian of the Musashi Kingdom, was serious. King Xingze was preoccupied with exploiting the people and satisfying their own self-interests. Shomon appealed to the Imperial Court to stop King Xingze's evil government, but the Imperial Court defended King Xingze. This was symbolic of the Imperial Court's attitude of ignoring the voices of the provinces and prioritizing the authority of the central government.

And the appearance of a character named Genaki Fujiwara greatly changes the fate of Shomon. Genmei was the one who tried to save the people suffering from the oppression of Kokuji, and Shomon sympathized with Genmei's actions and protected him. The Imperial Court sent troops to arrest Genmei, but Shomon refused, and finally rebelled against the Imperial Court in 939 by attacking and occupying Hitachi Kokufu.

After that, Shomon conquered the surrounding countries one after another, proclaimed himself the "new emperor" and declared the establishment of an independent state in the eastern country. This was not just a local revolt, but a clear challenge to the centralized system. Shomon advocated the independence of the eastern provinces and sought to build his own political system. However, the Imperial Court immediately sent troops to defeat Shomon, and he was defeated in 940 by the forces of Fujiwara Hidesato and Taira Sadamori. The head was sent to Kyo and beheaded.

2. Taira Shomon as a hero, the support of the people, and the idol created by the righteous spirit

In the eyes of the Imperial Court, he was a rebel, but to the people of the East, he was a hero. The appearance of Shomon, who was freed from the oppression of the Kokuji and tried to build a new nation by calling himself the "new emperor," gave hope to the oppressed people. His actions embodied the people's dissatisfaction with the central government and the desire of the people for local independence.

The reason why Shomon was supported by the people was his righteous spirit. He believed in helping the needy and protecting the weak, and had a sense of justice that would not tolerate injustice. In historical facts, there are records that Shomon punished Kokuji for exploiting the people, and his actions directly improved the lives of the people.

In the Edo period, the shomon frequently appeared as the subject of kabuki and ukiyo-e prints, and became popular among the common people. There, Shomon was portrayed as a hero who frustrated the strong and helped the weak, and became the embodiment of the people's aspirations. Through kabuki and ukiyo-e, Shomon was depicted not only as a historical figure, but also as a figure close to the hearts of the people, and his image of a hero became more vivid. He was deeply engraved in people's hearts as the Robin Hood of the East.

3. The Legend of the Heishomon and the Requiem as a Grudge Spirit and the History of the Requiem

After Shokado's death, a legend spread that his grudge would be enshrined. It is said that the head of Shokado, who was beheaded in Kyoto, moaned night after night, searching for his torso. The head then flew away to Kanto and fell into the current location of Shuzuka. This legend symbolized the tragic death of Shomon and the people's anger against the Imperial Court.

The shrine was built to appease the ghosts of Shomon, and many people still visit to worship today. In particular, among businessmen, it is said that visiting Shuzuka will bring good luck at work, and it is gaining popularity as a power spot. It can be said that this is an expression of the people's desire to emulate the "power to overcome adversity" that Shomon possesses.

However, it is not clear whether Shomon was really a ghost. Looking back on his life, it seems that although he was dissatisfied with the Imperial Court, he acted more out of a sense of justice and righteousness than out of personal grudges. His actions were a protest against the centralized system and a call for local independence.

It is also possible that the legend of the grudge was deliberately spread by the imperial court after the death of Shokado. Shomon was a rebel to the Imperial Court, and his presence was a threat. By spreading the legend of the grudge, he may have sought to weaken popular support for Shomon and strengthen the control of the imperial court. It is also thought that the social situation at the time influenced the spread of the legend of grudges. During the Heian period, natural disasters and epidemics were frequent, and people were always anxious. Under such circumstances, rumors spread that the ghost of Shomon was bringing disaster, and the people may have been afraid and erected a mound for the requiem of the soul.

4. Existence as a mirror image of Heishomon and aspiration in modern times

What kind of existence does Heishomon exist in modern times? For businessmen, he is the god of power spots that increase work luck, and for history buffs, he is the protagonist of an ancient saga. In the world of underground culture, it is also sometimes treated as a symbol of dissidentism.

The story of Shomon has many implications for us today. The way he resists absurd power and pursues his own ideals resonates even in modern society. In addition, the appearance of a hero who stood up for the people's aspirations teaches us the essence of leadership. His actions suggest solutions to a variety of problems in modern society.

Taira Shomon is not just a historical figure, but a symbolic figure that lives on in the present day. His stories give us courage, hope, and the strength to pursue our ideals. And his presence acts as a mirror reflecting our own aspirations.

Summary: The charm of Heishomon from multiple perspectives

The character of Taira Shomon has been shaped by a complex intertwining of historical facts, legends, and people's aspirations. A mirror image of a rebel, a hero, a grudge and a desire. The combination of these factors has made Taira Shomon a fascinating figure that continues to capture people's hearts throughout the ages.

The story of Shomon teaches us the importance of taking a multifaceted view of history. It also shows us how people's aspirations make heroes and how legends color history.

The head mound of the Heishomon continues to exist as a place of prayer and awe of the people. The image of the hero, shaped by the aspirations of the people, is still alive there. And by visiting Shuzuka, we will be able to feel the weight of history and reconsider our own aspirations. The story of Taira Shomon will continue to be told and given rise to various interpretations. And in each interpretation, our own values and aspirations will be projected.

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