Lord Taira no Masakado PART 8.
Together with Sugawara no Michizane and Retired Emperor Sutoku = photo = they form Japan's "three great vengeful spirits." We introduced Masakado's curse legend at Masakado (Kubi) Mound near Palaceside Building in Takebashi. Michizane, famous as god of learning, rose from middle-rank nobility to udaijin (minister of the right) but was plotted against by the jealous Fujiwara and exiled to Dazaifu. Retired Emperor Sutoku, first son of Retired Emperor Toba, took the throne but was later forced to abdicate; after Toba's death he was suppressed by Taira no Kiyomori in the Hogen Disturbance, exiled to Sanuki, and said to have died in rage. After both men's deaths, successive calamities were feared as their curses; Michizane was enshrined at Dazaifu Tenmangu (Fukuoka) and Kitano Tenmangu (Kyoto), Sutoku at Shiramine Jingu (Kyoto).
Online, some dispute the trio. "Masakado merely rebelled and was suppressed; Prince Sawara fits better." "Michizane was demoted by slander but remained a high official," and so on. Prince Sawara, brother of Emperor Kanmu, became crown prince but was falsely accused, exiled, and also said to have died in rage—his grievance rivals the three, though his fame may not.
By the way, Retired Emperor Sutoku is now being shunned by Retired Emperor Toba in NHK's taiga drama "Taira no Kiyomori." Kiyomori is counted among the Ise Heishi, descendants of Taira no Korehira, fourth son of Taira no Sadamori who defeated Masakado—so Masakado is Kiyomori's forebear, and Kiyomori descends from Sadamori who slew him. Masakado's grudge passing to Sutoku—just kidding?!