The First Samurai Essay

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Japan in the 10th century was experiencing change and disorder as its relatively new central government sought techniques for a strong and enduring legacy. In this period lived a man named Taira no Masakado. In events which are swirled with mystery and legend, Masakado found himself in direct opposition with the government, even proclaiming the title of the “New Emperor”. His legacy endures to this day and is a fundamental component in contemporary Japanese folklore. Was Masakado a product of his environment or a self-motivated rebel, examining this question is important in the discussions of the motivations behind his actions. Whether he should be viewed as a villain or a hero is to be considered by the reader.
Taira no Masakado is both …show more content…
In this time period of Japan, in an attempt to preserve the integrity of the imperial family, fourth generation members of the imperial family were removed from the bloodline by way of changing their family name. Taira was used in the renaming and is the surname of Masakado. This link to the imperial family would have affected Masakado’s view of himself in society. Being a known descendent, he would have felt a sense of entitlement that could create an egotistical mindset. The feeling of superiority would have amplified when his father used his influence to secure an internship in Kyoto with the government for his son. Expecting to obtain a full-time position in Kyoto, it would have been very disappointing to return home with no long term position or title. This event probably added to the aggressive nature of Masakado as an adult. Having been denied a chance to participate in the government, as he felt entitled to, Masakado from then on decides to take matters into his own hands working as if he holds the title which he never received. The sense of entitlement and his failure to succeed in Kyoto helped to define the character traits that motivate Masakado for the rest of his life.
Taira no Masakado remains an important component of contemporary Japanese folklore. Natural disasters, economic downturns, and other misfortunes are often attributed to times when the shrine to Masakado is neglected. The
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