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Description
Taira-no-Masakado (903?-940) was a warlord who rebelled against the Kioto government of the Fujiwara Shoguns. In the 930s he seized eight provinces and founded a court at Sashima, calling himself Heishin No (Taira Prince). Masakado was defeated and killed in 940, some sources say by Fujiwara no Hidesato, others by Taira no Sadamori. According to one version, Hidesato was a noted archer, and Masakado, fearing his skill, had several of this retainers dress like himself and imitate his movement on the battle field, so as to confuse Hidesato as to the true target. This strategy worked until Hidesato killed three of the false Masakaos, and then began to abuse Masakao until he revealed himself and so was killed. A later legend attributed magical powers to Masakao which he used to create ghostly retainers identical to himself for concealment. (Henri L. Joly, Legend in Japanese Art, pp. 321.) In this print an armored Masakado tramples down a warrior whose broken sword frames the lunging horse. Ominously, an arrow, unseen by Maskado is about to strike him.
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