Shōgun Tarō Yoshikado 将門太郎良門

Shōgun Tarō Yoshikado (将門太郎良門) is a legendary warrior and sorcerer, often depicted as the son or brother of the famous Takiyasha-hime, who sought to continue the rebellion against the Imperial Court through the use of “Toad Magic.”

Meaning and Origin

The name Shōgun Tarō refers to his status as the heir to Taira no Masakado (who was sometimes called the Shōgun of the East), and Yoshikado (良門) is his personal name.

His origin is found in the fantasy novels and Kabuki plays of the 19th century that expanded upon the tragedy of the Masakado Rebellion. After his father was killed, Yoshikado escaped into the deep forests of Mount Nikko. There, he met a hermit named Nikushisen, who taught him the same “Toad Magic” that would later be used by Jiraiya. He represents Inherited Duty—the burden of a child born to a “traitor,” forced to either live in shame or fight a war that was already lost.

Characteristics

Yoshikado is usually depicted as a fierce young samurai who combines traditional swordsmanship with powerful magic. He is often shown standing beside a Giant Toad, or manifesting a spectral image of his father over his shoulder.

His primary characteristic is his Iron-Willed Resistance. He is one of the few characters who combines the discipline of the samurai with the chaotic power of the Yokai. He is often shown wearing a tattered family banner as a cloak, indicating his refusal to let the Masakado name die. His magic is specifically focused on Summoning, allowing him to call forth “Phantom Warriors” to fill the ranks of his nonexistent army.

Legends

The legend of Yoshikado revolves around his Rebuilding of the Soma Palace. Using his magic, he transformed a pile of ruins into a magnificent fortress overnight. He then sent a “Magic Bird” to the capital to deliver a declaration of war, stating that the Masakado line had returned from the grave.

The most famous scene in ukiyo-e shows him and his sister, Takiyasha-hime, standing together in the palace—he with his sword and toad-magic, she with her necromancy and the Gashadokuro. Although the legend ends with the palace being destroyed by the cleverness of Mitsukuni, Yoshikado is remembered as the “Primal Rebel,” the man who proved that a revolutionary spirit can be passed down through magic just as clearly as it is through blood.