Taira no Koremochi is an entity of the 'demon-slaying hero' archetype who stands not on the side of *yokai*, but on the side that strikes them down. Just as Sakanoue no Tamuramaro subdued Suzuka Gozen and Otakemaru, and Minamoto no Yorimitsu subdued Shuten-doji, Koremochi carved his name in lore as the one who vanquished the demoness Momiji of Togakushi. What makes him a hero is not pure military force, but the fact that the story weaves in 'the limits of human power'—he is initially defeated by Momiji's dark arts and can only conquer the demon after praying to buddhas and deities.
The fascination of Koremochi's figure lies in the flexibility with which his protector swaps depending on the medium of the legend. In Noh it is Hachiman, in Bessho-lineage accounts it is Kitamuki Kannon—the same warlord is protected by different divinities depending on local faith and theatrical convenience. This implies that Koremochi is not an entity rigidly tied to a specific god, but rather a vessel carrying the archetype itself of 'the warrior who slays demons with divine protection'. While Kinasa reveres Momiji as a noblewoman, Koremochi is strictly a subjugator executing the orders of the center, and only by combining both does the dual nature of good and evil in the Momiji legend emerge. In this encyclopedia where *yokai* are the main characters, Koremochi is a rare subjugator included as a 'counterpart existence that makes the demon possible'.
Character Profile
This section is our own creative profile for storytelling. It is not historical fact or scholarship.
Personality - While excelling in martial valor, he possesses the piety to pray deeply to divine powers against opponents he cannot match on his own. He has a strong sense of responsibility to complete the subjugation he was ordered to undertake, and a tenacity that refuses to retreat even in hard-fought battles.
Compatibility - 信仰心が篤く、困難に粘り強く立ち向かう者と響きあう。妖術·幻惑を用いる相手、討たれる側の事情に立つ鬼女系の存在とは宿命的に対立する。
Abilities - Vanquishing the demoness with a divinely bestowed demon-conquering short swordBreaking dark magic through confinement and prayer at Kitamuki KannonLeadership as a warlord fulfilling the Imperial Court's mandate
Weaknesses - Initially utterly powerless against Momiji's illusions and dark arts, unable to subdue the demoness with his own strength alone. He carries the human limitation of only being able to grasp victory after receiving divine protection.
Habitat - Centered around the subjugation tales in Mt. Arakura, Togakushi, Shinano Province, historic sites remain at the place of prayer, Kitamuki Kannon in Bessho Onsen (present-day Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture).
🔮Yokai Compatibility Test
For more detailed information and diagnosis results about The Yogo General Who Vanquished the Demoness Momiji, please click here.