in the second half of the 8th century hirotsugu's spirit was, together with that of prince nagaya, considered particularly disruptive. at a time of a countrywide tuberculosis epidemic, thought to be caused by "goryō", fujiwara no mototsune, of the "northern" (hokke) fujiwara branch, held a "goryō'e" (departed spirits ritual) on june 10, 863 at the imperial palace gardens in heian-kyō (kyoto). this ritual was aimed at six spirits, including fujiwara no hirotsugu's, as each of them had become a departed spirit due to fujiwara actions. mcmullin therefore assumes that the event was held in order to direct the fear in the population to these six deceased people who had been enemies of the hokke branch of the fujiwara family, sending the message that enemies of the hokke fujiwara were enemies of the people.