Kanmu regarded the incidents as due to the curse of Prince Sawara who died in 785 of resentment after being deprived of his title of Crown Prince, being involved in the assassination of FUJIWARA no Tanetsugu and held memorial rites to calm his soul.
桓武はこれを延暦4年（785年）藤原種継藤原種継暗殺事件により廃太子され憤死した早良親王の祟りであるとし、その霊をなだめる祀りを行わせた。