The historical figure who declared himself the "New Emperor," sought independence from the imperial court, and caused one of the most famous uprisings in history was none other than Taira no Masakado, also known as Soma Kojiro.
During the mid-Heian period, Masakado was a powerful samurai from the Kanto region and a descendant of Emperor Kanmu. As the son of Taira no Yoshimochi, the Chinju-fu Shogun (Commander of the Northern Defense Forces), Masakado initially served under the influential court noble Fujiwara no Tadahira before returning to his domain in Shimosa Province.
There, he built his own private army, amassing power. A dispute over marriage led him to kill his uncle, Taira no Kunika, and later defeat another uncle, Taira no Yoshikane. He eventually raised a rebellion against the imperial court, extending his influence over eight provinces, including Hitachi, Musashi, Awa, and Sagami. Establishing his base in Shimosa, Masakado proclaimed himself the "New Emperor," set up a royal court in Iwai Village, appointed ministers, and even created an imperial seal, shaking the Kyoto government. However, he was ultimately defeated by his cousin, Taira no Sadamori, and was killed by an arrow.
Indeed, Masakado is the ancestor of the Soma family.
Several people in the room reacted to this name.
"Him, of all people?"
The usually silent Great Tengu lifted his head in surprise.
"So, the so-called Soma clan is actually descended from Taira no Masakado?"
Momijigari also raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback.
Some showed expressions of realization, while others looked confused.
"Do... do you both know Taira no Masakado?" Kyoko hesitantly asked.
The one who answered wasn't the Great Tengu or Momijigari—it was Suzuka.
"You call yourself an honor student and don't even know this?" Suzuka sneered at Kyoko. "Masakado is one of the Four Great Vengeful Spirits, and his remnants once fled to Togakushi. Of course, Emperor Sutoku and the Oni Woman of Togakushi knew him—why is that surprising?"
Hearing Suzuka's explanation, not only Kyoko but even Natsume also came to a realization.
The so-called Four Great Vengeful Spirits are historical figures who, after their deaths, became powerful vengeful spirits due to extreme resentment. They eventually ascended and were worshiped as deities.
The Four Great Vengeful Spirits are:
—Sugawara no Michizane
—Taira no Masakado
—Prince Sawara
—Emperor Sutoku
These spirits were known for their immense power and the disasters they brought upon the world. They were only pacified through rituals and eventually deified.
For example, Emperor Sutoku was the son of Emperor Toba. He ascended the throne at the age of five but was deposed at twenty-three when his father and younger brother usurped the throne. In his struggle for power, he was defeated and exiled to Sanuki (modern-day Kagawa Prefecture). There, he spent three years transcribing five volumes of Mahayana Buddhist scriptures in blood, hoping to atone for his sins and have them enshrined in Kyoto. However, his request was rejected. After eight years of exile, he lost his sanity and transformed into a Tengu.
Following his death, Japan was plagued by disasters, and the court, fearing his lingering power, built temples to honor him. Even in the Enmyo era, his spirit was enshrined alongside Omononushi, yet his grudge remained unappeased.
Thus, Japan fell into 700 years of war, only finding temporary peace when Emperor Meiji sent an envoy to enshrine Emperor Sutoku's spirit in the Shiramine Shrine in Kyoto.
People feared Emperor Sutoku's wrath, calling him the Great Demon God of Calamity. His appearance was that of a golden kite resembling a Buddhist guardian deity, wielding a vajra, with wings on his back, commanding Tengu legions from Shiramine.
The version of Emperor Sutoku that Rozen summoned was still a Great Tengu and not yet the Deity of Calamity. Otherwise, he would have appeared as a god, not a vengeful spirit.
The same was true for all Four Great Vengeful Spirits. They first became vengeful spirits due to intense resentment, causing disasters, and were later worshiped as gods.
Taira no Masakado, like Emperor Sutoku, was one of these Four Great Vengeful Spirits.
He was the only historical figure to openly rebel against the Kyoto government, proclaim himself emperor, and establish his own court. After his death, he became a vengeful spirit, feared for his immense power. He was once considered an "Aramitama" (a violent deity), a form of god, and was later worshiped in Tokyo as a divine protector. Even today, he is enshrined at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo.
In the past, remnants of Masakado's forces, consisting of discontented nobles, gathered in Togakushi.
The one who came to Togakushi, assembled them, and provoked the emperor into sending troops for extermination was none other than Momijigari, the incarnation of the Sixth Heaven Demon King—the Oni Woman of Togakushi.
Because of this, Momijigari had some ties to Masakado.
"Is this... fate?"
Tamamo-no-Mae chuckled behind her hand.
"Is there anyone here who doesn't have a tangled fate?"
Momijigari rolled her eyes playfully.
"..."
The Great Tengu remained silent.
After all, if we were talking about fate, he had one with Tamamo-no-Mae as well.
Tamamo-no-Mae once bewitched Emperor Toba, and Emperor Sutoku was his son.
If that wasn't fate, what was?
Of course, this had nothing to do with the current discussion.
For now, everyone understood one thing.
This situation might not be as simple as it seemed.
———
"Our Tsuchimikado family's 'Tenso Jifu Ritual' was originally a secret ceremony held to eliminate calamities and pray for the emperor's longevity during his ascension."
Tsuchimikado Harutora explained.
"Soma intends to use this ritual for their own emperor—for Taira no Masakado, who proclaimed himself the New Emperor. The implications of this in jujutsu are extraordinary."
If this ritual succeeded, it would mean that Masakado, whose rebellion ended in defeat, would finally ascend to the throne and claim the imperial title.
In other words, the New Emperor would become the true Emperor, altering his very concept of existence.
"At that point, using the 'Tenso Jifu Ritual'—a ceremony performed during the emperor's ascension—Masakado would be granted a legitimate place in the world and would remain here forever."
An unbelievable revelation came from Harutora's mouth.
This was not a summoning, like Kinu and Gyokuto.
This was—"Resurrection."
That's why the Soma family needed a physical vessel for divine possession.
That's why Takiko was at the center of the summoning ritual.
"If Masakado is resurrected with divine power, he will undoubtedly attempt to claim the throne once again. That will lead to war, disrupt peace, and may even escalate into a bid for world domination."
Harutora smiled bitterly.
"Would you really want to see that happen?"
His words silenced the entire room.
Natsume, Suzuka, and Kyoko were visibly shaken.
As for the Shikigami, they remained indifferent.
After all, they had lived through war, witnessed countless battles, and even started their own conflicts.
To them, this was nothing new.
But Rozen frowned.
"Yeah... this could be a bit troublesome."
Rozen murmured to himself.
Seeing this, Harutora felt a glimmer of hope.