Taira no Masakado and the Sword: Blades of the Eastern Warlord and Kanto Warrior Culture

Taira no Masakado—A Warlord of a Crucial Era in Japanese Sword History

Taira no Masakado (ca. ?–940) was a warlord of the mid-Heian period who became the central figure of the "Shōhei-Tengyō Rebellion" (承平・天慶の乱), in which he raised the banner of revolt against the imperial court from his base in the Kantō (eastern provinces). Masakado, who proclaimed himself the "New Emperor" (Shin'ō) and sought to establish an independent regime, was defeated by Fujiwara no Hidesato, Taira no Sadamori, and others, and his head was sent to Kyoto.

Masakado's era (early 10th century) corresponds to the period when Japanese sword forms transitioned from chokutō (straight swords) to curved tachi. As a warlord of this pivotal era, Masakado's swords represent the turning point in the history of Japanese swords.

Mid-Heian Sword Forms—What Kind of Blade Did Masakado Carry?

During the early 10th century when Masakado was active, Japanese swords were undergoing significant transformation.

The Transition from Chokutō (Ancient Swords) to Tachi:

From the Nara through early Heian periods, swords were predominantly chokutō (straight blades with one or two edges) influenced by continental styles. However, by the mid-Heian period, curved single-edged blades with "sori" (curvature) designed for use on horseback—the tachi—began to appear.

Masakado's era (939–940) falls precisely in this transitional period. Based on historical records and artifacts, Masakado likely carried:

• A large single-edged sword (a transitional form between chokutō and tachi)
• A blade length longer than modern tachi, estimated at approximately 2.4 to 3 shaku (roughly 73–91 cm)
• A length and curvature designed for wielding on horseback
• Likely elaborate mountings in the kehnuki-no-tachi (plucked-hair tachi) style

Masakado and Blades—Records in Historical Documents

The primary historical source on Masakado is the "Masakado Ki" (Shōmonji), a military chronicle that records Masakado's battles, though specific descriptions of the blades themselves are limited.

What can be gleaned from sword-related passages in the Masakado Ki:

• As a mounted warrior, Masakado relied primarily on arrows and bows, with the sword serving as a supplementary weapon in close combat
• The terms "tachi" and "tsurugi" (sword) are employed, suggesting that tachi-form blades were already in use
• The warriors under Masakado's command also carried swords, depicting the Kantō samurai as an armed force

Kantō Samurai Sword Culture—The Eastern Sword Tradition Nurtured by Masakado

One reason the Masakado Rebellion holds historical significance is that it symbolized the rise of the "Kantō samurai (Bandō warriors)." Masakado functioned as a leader uniting the local warrior clans of the Kantō region, with sword culture at the core of their military power.

The Bandō Warriors' Philosophy of Swords:

• The warriors of Kantō (Bandō) employed horses and bows as primary means of combat, carrying swords as supplementary weapons
• However, the tachi's power and symbolic significance as a mark of status were highly valued
• After the Masakado Rebellion, the Kantō samurai developed further through the late Heian to Kamakura periods, becoming the foundation of the Kamakura shogunate

The Development of Eastern Swordsmiths:

Approximately 200 years after Masakado's era, the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate (1185–1192) made Kantō the political center. Consequently, swordsmiths gathered around Kamakura, establishing the techniques known as the "Sōshū tradition." It can be said that the Kantō samurai culture nurtured by Masakado laid the foundation for later development of the Sōshū tradition.

Masakado's Head and Blades—Legends of the Masakado Head Mound in Chiyoda Ward

Legend has it that after Masakado's head was sent to Kyoto, it later returned to Kantō. Today, the "Masakado Head Mound" (Masakado Kubi-zuka) remains in Ōtemachi, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, and is known for the tale that it proved impossible to remove even during urban development.

Sword-Related Legends Associated with the Head Mound:

• Legends of swords dedicated to pacify Masakado's spirit
• Stories linking the curse legends surrounding Masakado with the dedication of swords
• In modern times, each construction project near the mound was said to be accompanied by tales of curses, with swords and talismans reportedly being dedicated

While difficult to verify as historical fact, these legends demonstrate the depth of popular belief surrounding Masakado.

Swords Attributed to Masakado—Later Attributions and Legends

Over the centuries, swords have been preserved in various locations claiming connection to Masakado. However, it is extremely rare for 10th-century blades to survive to the present day with confirmed provenance, and most such attributions are considered later fabrications.

What can be stated as fact:

• Blades from Masakado's era (early 10th century) fall into the category of jōkototō (ancient swords), with only a few extant examples in museums
• No historical records definitively identify Masakado's personal swords
• While swords claiming to be Masakado's blades possess cultural and historical value in their legends, confirming them as physical evidence is problematic

The Masakado Legend and Modern Sword Culture—Influence on Games and Manga

Taira no Masakado remains a prominent figure in modern Japanese culture. Games and manga, including "Touken Ranbu," feature sword characters connected to Masakado, sparking interest in history and blades among younger generations.

Masakado's image as a "rebellious hero" and "master of the east" aligns naturally with the sword's associations with "strength" and "martial valor," cementing his status as a popular character in fiction.

Such interest sparked through pop culture often serves as a gateway to genuine Masakado scholarship and Heian-period sword history.

Conclusion—Japanese Sword Culture at a Turning Point, as Told by Masakado and His Blades

Taira no Masakado was a warlord who lived through a pivotal era when Japanese swords transitioned from chokutō to curved tachi. While detailed records of his personal blades are scarce, it is certain that his era catalyzed the rise of the Kantō samurai (Bandō warriors) and served as the genesis point for the lineage of Japanese sword culture that would lead to the later Kamakura shogunate and the Sōshū tradition.

By interpreting the Masakado Rebellion from the perspective of sword history, a new viewpoint emerges that transcends mere political rebellion—one revealing the relationship between the birth of eastern warrior culture and the evolution of Japanese blades.