Taira Masakado (平將門) (role before 940)

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Biography:

Masakado, whose birthdate is unknown, but who died in 940, was a historical figure who loomed large later in fantastic lore as presented in the theater, in books, etc.

"Son of Yoshimasa, received the name Sōma Shōjirō. He served the Sesshō Fujiwara Tadahiro, and demanded the office of Kebiishi, but was refused. In revenge he retired to Kwantō, settled in the district of Toyota (Shimōsa) and began a guerilla warfare in the surrounding country. He attacked his uncle Kunika, governor of Hitachi, and put him to death (935). The following year, Yoshikane, brother of Kunika, with Sadamori attacked him, but were defeated and forced to take refuge in Kyōto. After Yoshikane's death (939), Masakado occupied Shimōsa, Shimotsuke and Kōzuke. He then assumed the title of Heishin-ō (new emperor Taira), established his court at Ishii (Shimōsa), named ministers and officials, etc. In the meantime, Fujiwara Sumitomo, to whom Masakado had promised the Kwampaku dignity, revolted in Saikadō. In 940, Fujiwara Tadabumi, who had received the title of Seitō-taishōgun, marched against Masakado with a large army. He came too late however, for Sadamori, with the help of Fujiwara Hidesato, and Ōryōshi from Shimotsuke, had already attacked the rebel, defeated and pursued him for 13 days, finally overtaking him at Kōjima (Shimōsa). In the last encounter, Masakado, having been wounded by an arrow, fell from his horse. Hidesato leaped to the ground, killed the wounded man, and sent his head to Kyōto. The revolt is known in history by the name of Tenkei no ran."

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Masakado's head - truth or fiction
In the year 250 the bishop of Paris, Denis, was martyred by being beheaded and then picking up his head and walking quite a few miles to a place where he wanted to be buried. Just outside of Paris they built an abbey at that site where the basilica can be found today. Forty-three kings and thirty-two queens were buried there, too. In a page from an illuminated manuscript in the Getty Museum it shows St, Denis carrying his disembodied head in this hands with the help of two angels. The saint also has two haloes with him. You can guess where they might be. In some of the accompanying myths St. Denis head also gave a sermon during his its journey.

Now move forward seven hundred fifteen years, that is, in 940, and half a world away and you will find Taira no Masakado defeated in battle being beheaded by Fujiwara Hidesato. The head was then taken to the capital, Kyoto, where it was publically displayed, but on the third day it miraculously flew away, was said to have bounced three times on its journey and is now buried, along - possibly with the heads of 19 of his lieutenants - in a location near the Tōkaidō Road at Otemachi. In another story it was displayed in the capital for three months and every once in a while it would open it eyes and then demand that it be reunited with its body so that it could fight on.