Stories of the Japanese 00305 [Mid-Heian Period] The Jōhei-Tengyō Rebellion: Narita and Kanda Myōjin

As we conclude the section on the "Jōhei-Tengyō Rebellion," let us introduce Naritasan Shinshō-ji Temple (Narita City, Chiba Prefecture) and Kanda Myōjin Shrine (Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo), both of which were established in the wake of this uprising.
When the rebellion of Taira no Masakado broke out, the Imperial Court not only dispatched a punitive force but also ordered many temples to offer prayers to subdue Masakado. In the second year of Tengyō (939), Kanchō (916–998), acting on orders from the Court, took a statue of Fudō Myō-ō said to have been carved by Kūkai, which had been enshrined at Takaosan-ji Temple (Ukyō Ward, Kyoto), and traveled to Shimōsa Province (Chiba Prefecture), not far from the site of Masakado's rebellion.
When Kanchō prayed for the subjugation of Masakado there, Masakado was successfully driven to his death, and Emperor Suzaku rejoiced, saying,
"This is the miraculous efficacy of Fudō Myō-ō."
Afterward, a mysterious phenomenon occurred where the statue of Fudō Myō-ō would not move, remaining completely immovable even when Kanchō tried to return to Kyoto. Emperor Suzaku issued an order saying,
"Then you shall establish a sacred site there," and Naritasan Shinshō-ji Temple was built with Kanchō as its founder. The statue of Fudō Myō-ō, said to have been carved by Kūkai, is still enshrined as the principal image at Shinshō-ji today.
On the other hand, Kanda Myōjin began in the second year of Tenpyō (730) when a clan of Izumo descent, who had relocated to the Kanda area, enshrined Ōkuninushi as their tutelary deity. Later, the head of the slain Masakado was moved from Kyoto and fell near this location, leading to the creation of Masakado's grave mound. However, in the 14th century, when an epidemic broke out, it was feared to be the curse of Masakado, and so Kanda Myōjin began enshrining Taira no Masakado starting in the second year of Enkyō (1309). Currently, the deities enshrined at Kanda Myōjin are, first, Ōkuninushi, second, Sukunabikona (

see episode 00082), and third, Taira no Masakado.In other words, Naritasan Shinshō-ji was built to destroy Masakado, while Kanda Myōjin was built to appease his spirit, and even today, it is considered bad luck to visit both.Naritasan Shinshō-ji is known for its large-scale bean-throwing event on Setsubun, and it has partnered with NHK to have cast members of the Taiga drama participate. However, there was a year when this could not be realized for religious reasons. The 1976 Taiga drama, "Kaze to Kumo to Niji to" (Wind, Clouds, and Rainbows), featured Taira no Masakado as the protagonist, so it was impossible to have the actor playing Masakado, Gō Katō, participate at Shinshō-ji, which had been built to subdue him.
The rebellion of Taira no Masakado is an event from the distant past, but even today, many people visit Naritasan Shinshō-ji for their first shrine visit of the year, and the Kanda Festival held at Kanda Myōjin continues to be held annually as one of the three great festivals of Edo. The achievements of Masakado continue to have a significant influence even in the modern day.