Taira no Masakado was a prominent samurai and military leader in 10th-century Japan. He is best known for his rebellion against the central government during the Heian period. Masakado's uprising was significant as it challenged the authority of the Fujiwara clan, which held considerable power at the time. After his death in battle in 940, Masakado became a legendary figure, often associated with supernatural events. His spirit was believed to cause calamities, leading to the establishment of the Kanda Shrine in Tokyo to appease him. Today, he is remembered as a symbol of resistance and is celebrated in various cultural works.