Masakado

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Masakado is a Demon in the Megami Tensei franchise.

Profile

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Origin

Taira no Masakado was a samurai and leader of the Taira Clan in Japan during the 10th century, notable for leading the first recorded rebellion against the government. Sources vary on what led to his uprising, with theories ranging from Masakado failing to secure a position in government which acted as an affront to his honour, to a dispute over a woman with his uncle. In 940, Masakado was killed in the Battle of Kojima, after which his head was cut from his body and taken to the emperor as proof of his defeat. His head was displayed publicly as a warning to potential dissidents.

His head eventually arrived in Edo, now modern day Tokyo, where it was buried at the Kanda shrine. After his death, a variety of calamities were attributed to his restless soul, returning to claim vengeance. This gave rise to the depiction of Masakado as a terrifying spirit that would destroy any that disrespected his resting place. To appease his spirit, Masakado was deified as a protector of the shrine and the surrounding area.

Design

Gameplay

For complete gameplay information, see Gameplay:Masakado.

Compendium

Compendium Entries
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey A general who declared himself the new emperor of Japan, but fell to Hidesato Fujiwara and Sadamori Taira. He was enshrined to quell his spirit, and later became know as the protector god of Kanto.
Shin Megami Tensei IV Masakado
A general who declared himself the new emperor of Japan, but fell to Hidesato Fujiwara and Sadamori Taira. He was enshrined to quell his spirit, and later became know as the protector god of Kanto. According to the Otogizoshi, he was over 210 cm tall, had a body made of metal, and had two pupils in his left eye. However, he had a weakness: his temple was still made of flesh.

Masakado's Shadow
The body double of Taira no Masakado, which appears in the Otogizoshi.
It is said there were seven doubles, or perhaps seven total with the real one included. This number comes from Myoken worship. In the Otogizoshi, the doubles were created from straw dolls, but there are legends which say the doubles were vassals who sacrificed themselves for their lord.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance A general who rebelled against the Imperial Court in the mid-Heian period: Taira no Masakado.

He succeeded in ruling Kanto and declared himself emperor, but was later defeated by Fujiwara no Hidesato and Taira no Sadamori. After death, he was enshrined as a vengeful spirit, but was later viewed as a hero and became revered as a guardian deity of the Kanto region, where he has remained to this day.

Soul Hackers
(3DS) 		A general who declared himself the new emperor of Japan, but fell to Hidesato Fujiwara and Sadamori Taira. He was enshrined to quell his spirit, and later became know as the protector god of Kanto. According to the Otogizoshi, he stood over 6'10", had a head, arms and legs of gold, and had two pupils in his left eye. His body was made of iron, but his temple was his only weak spot.
Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon A general who declared himself the new emperor of Japan, but fell to Hidesato Fujiwara and Sadamori Taira.

After death, he was enshrined to quell his spirit, and later became known as the protector god of Kanto.

Persona 3 Reload Taira no Masakado, hero of the Heian period. He claimed the title "Shinno" (New Emperor) and rebelled against the government. He was killed, but it is said he became a demigod.
Persona 4 Taira no Masakado, hero of the Heian period. He claimed the title "Shinno" (New Emperor) and rebelled against the government. He was killed, but it is said he became a demigod.
Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth Taira no Masakado, hero of the Heian period. He claimed the title "Shinno" (New Emperor) and rebelled against the government. He was killed, but it is said he became a demigod.
Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker A general who declared himself the new emperor of Japan, but fell to Hidesato Fujiwara and Sadamori Taira. He was enshrined to quell his spirit, and later became known as the protector god of Kanto.

Game Appearances

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Shin Megami Tensei

This section contains major spoilers.
The contents of this section cover major plot and/or character spoilers. Reader discretion is advised.

If the Hero is on the Neutral route after Tokyo gets flooded, he can visit the Imperial Palace and venture down into B5F where he can meet Masakado. Masakado will say that his duty as a guardian of Tokyo is drawing to an end due to it being worthless to defend in its current state. He notes that instead the Hero can take that role as his power surpasses even the Four Devas that protected Tokyo, and so he gives him his Katana and bids him farewell.

After this, multiple pieces of Masakado's equipment surface in the water where Devas' Halls are submerged for the Hero to pick up.

Shin Megami Tensei II

Prior to the events of the story, Masakado's body was cut into six pieces as a consequence of trying to mediate the dispute between the Amatsukami and Kunitsukami, with the latter trying to overthrow the former and gain back their superiority. The Kunitsukami were being used by the forces of Law and Chaos however, and so once the Amatsukami were overthrown, they tore Masakado apart and then betrayed the Kunitsukami, with the forces of Law then sealing them away in shrines around Tokyo so that no one could get in the way of constructing their Millenium Kingdom. Realizing their mistake, the Kunitsukami secretly collected pieces of Masakado's body in the hope of one day being freed and redeeming themselves.

When Aleph visits the Underground, he is asked by Hiruko to retrieve the six pieces so that Masakado may be revived. After visiting each shrine and collecting the pieces from the freed Kunitsukami, the pieces are taken to the Cathedral of Shadows and fused together into his body, though Mido notes that something is still missing. Upon returning to Hiruko, he will give Aleph the soul of Masakado, finally resurrecting him. He thanks Aleph and heads towards Sealed Iwato. Upon reaching the cave, Masakado will open the entrance, allowing Aleph passage inside so that he may free the Amatsukami from their imprisonment. He then grants him the Sun Pillar, as well as his Katana. He leaves shortly after to rest in order to recover his strength.

Visionaries

Masakado is featured in one Visionary cutscene in the Game Boy Advance and iOS versions of the game.

In "Netsuke of Ren'ami", Masakado is shown in an unknown spiritual realm, it presumably being his soul after being killed in his failed rebellion in Kyoto. He laments his failure and then seems to predict the destruction and conflicts Tokyo will face in the future, wishing for any warriors that will appear to protect Tokyo to be granted his spiritual power to fulfill his will. He determines that even if a million years pass, this oath must be protected.

End of spoilers.

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne

Shin Megami Tensei IV

Masakado is the leader of the National Defense Divinities tasked with protecting Japan prior to God's Plan.[1] His Katana, which acted as his medium, was held by a young man that was a part of the Counter-Demon Force. When God's Plan occurred and ICBMs were launched at Tokyo, this young man sacrificed his life to fuse with Masakado and become the firmament above Tokyo, shielding the city from calamity at the cost of his own life.[2] The damage from the ICBMs left Masakado dormant, with his medium being taken by Skins for safe keeping.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

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Masakado is exclusive to the Canon of Creation. During the battle of Armageddon, Masakado defended Tokyo with unrelenting ferocity, slaughtering countless of the forces of Chaos. Terrified of his power, the armies of Chaos sealed him away in Chiyoda rather than confront him directly. He remains in this state for 18 years until the Nahobino arrives to invade the Demon King's Castle. Possessing a group of Miman, he has the Nahobino break the seal on him so that he can finally be free.

Trivia

Nomenclature

Names in Other Languages
Language Name Meaning
English Masakado
Japanese マサカド Masakado Masakado
マサカドさまShin Megami Tensei
Masakado-sama		 Lord Masakado
将門公Shin Megami Tensei II
Masakado Kō		 Lord Masakado
Simplified Chinese 将门 Jiàngmén Masakado. Chinese pronunciation of the Japanese 将門.
Traditional Chinese 平將門 Píng Jiàngmén Taira no Masakado. Chinese pronunciation of the Japanese 平将門.
Korean 마사카도 Masakado Masakado

Gallery

Videos

Masakado's Daily Demon Showcase for Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

References

  1. ↑ "NATIONAL DEFENSE DIVINITIES: A group of demons led by Masakado who have come to protect Tokyo. Their ranks also include Koga Saburo, Tenkai, Yaso Magatsuhi, Omaikane, Michizane, and Yamato Takeru, making seven members in all. The six besides Masakado are enslaved by Tayama and forced to guard his key facilities around Tokyo against their will." "Other Worlds", Shin Megami Tensei IV Official Artworks. Published by UDON. English. Page 87.
  2. ↑ "The residents of the ravaged Tokyo take note of him not just because of his foreign outfit and long, feminine, tied-back hair, but also because he resembles a young member of the Counter-Demon Force who gave his life in the war 25 years ago. In other words, the protagonist is the reincarnation of the youth that borrowed the power and body of the demon Masakado and sacrificed himself to cover Tokyo with a protective ceiling." Shin Megami Tensei IV Official Artworks. Published by UDON. English. Page 90.
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