S01E01 Two Fathers (ふたりの父)
In 1118 in Kyoto amid the time of confusion, Taira no Tadamori, the heir of the Taira clan, spends days doing dirty works to capture robbers under orders of the Imperial Court. One day, he...
Taira no Kiyomori
S01E40: A Short Song (はかなき歌)
In 1174 in Fukuhara, Japan-Sung trade has already started. Kiyomori advises the cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa and Shigeko to visit Itsukushima Shrine to pray for the nation's prosperity. Meanwhile, Saiko and Narichika (Go-Shirakawa's aides) start to fear the growing power of the Taira family. Shigeko tells Saiko and Narichika to act as a bridge between Go-Shirakawa and the Taira family. However, after the passing of Shigeko in 1176, the power balance within the Imperial Court begins to fall apart. Around the same time in Izu, Yoritomo and Hojo Masako are gradually nurturing their love.
Overview
Villain or hero, Taira no Kiyomori changed Japanese history forever 900 years ago. Without ever knowing his real father, Kiyomori was raised as a samurai. Together with his stepfather, he wiped out piracy along Japan's western coast, becoming a full-fledged warrior samurai. In an age when samurai were looked down on as members of the lower class, Kiyomori was skillful at winning the hearts and minds of the people. By rounding up surrendered pirates and achieving other successes, Kiyomori eventually became the de facto ruler of Japan.
Episodes
S01E02 The Villain Takeheita (無頼の高平太)
Heita, after reaching adulthood, wanders around gambling parlors being frustrated with his ironic fate of having two fathers: Tadamori as his foster father and the cloistered Emperor Shirakawa as his biological father. People consider Heita...
S01E03 Son of Two Clans (源平の御曹司)
Heita, renamed as Kiyomori, spends days fighting against pirates in the Seto Inland Sea and restoring stolen food to fisherfolk. Kiyomori, however, is mistaken as a pirate and sent to Kyoto where he is reunited...
S01E04 Court Assassination (殿上の闇討ち)
Tadamori becomes the first samurai granted a title which allows him to enter the Imperial Palace in recognition of his loyalty to the Imperial Court, which brings joy to the Taira clan including Kiyomori. However,...
S01E05 Crush the Pirates (海賊討伐)
In 1135 at the Imperial Court, aristocrats are discussing countermeasures against pirates who are raising havoc in the Seto Inland Sea. Despite Tadazane's recommendation to place the Minamoto clan to expel the pirates, the retired...
S01E06 The Pirate King of the Western Seas (西海の海賊王)
Amid the battle against the pirates, Taira no Moriyasu gets seriously hurt from protecting Kiyomori, and the Taira clan once returns to their base. Kiyomori, however, goes back to the Sea alone being mad at...
S01E07 The Unshining Prince (光らない君)
The Taira clan finally succeeds in subduing the pirates, however, Tadamori is not granted the rank equal to the aristocrats. Kiyomori, on the other hand, gets promoted and pays a visit to Tadazane. On the...
S01E08 Currency and the Minister (宋銭と内大臣)
In 1136, Kiyomori learns that Tadamori is illegally trading with Sung and keeps it secret from the Imperial Court. Meanwhile, Fujiwara no Yorinaga, the second son of Tadazane who is known for his all-or-nothing personality,...
S01E09 The Two Outcasts (ふたりのはみだし者)
In 1138, Akiko gave birth to her and Kiyomori's first child—a baby boy. Now, an heir was born to the Heike family heir, and the entire clan rejoiced at the news of this auspicious event.
S01E10 Norikiyo's Fall (義清散る)
Tamako (Empress Dowager Taiken), wife of the retired Emperor Toba, gets upset and clutches at Nariko for bringing up unfavorable rumors surrounding Prince Masahito's birth. On that night, Norikiyo, who has a secret crush on...
S01E11 A Monster's Tears (もののけの涙)
Emperor Sutoku falls into Nariko's trap and passes the throne to Emperor Konoe, the son of Nariko and the retired Emperor Toba. Meanwhile, Akiko becomes seriously ill and passes away. Seeing Kiyomori frantically pounce on...
S01E12 A Fateful Reunion (宿命の再会)
In 1145, Tamako, who has become a Buddhist nun, is struck down by a serious illness. The retired Emperor Toba loses his composure and orders samurai serving under the Emperor to find narcissus flower to...
S01E13 The Gion Incident (祇園闘乱事件)
In 1147, when Kiyomori and the members of the Taira family visit Gion Shrine to pray for the prosperity of the Taira family, they get into a skirmish with armed priests. The incident escalates into...
S01E14 Iemori Rises (家盛決起)
Kiyomori, after being released, faces scolding from his younger brother, Iemori, who flatly says that Kiyomori's behavior was inappropriate as the heir of the Taira family. Yorinaga, who wanted to drive Kiyomori into a corner...
S01E15 Chaos in the Clan (嵐の中の一門)
Iemori falls into Yorinaga's trap and dies from falling off his horse, which strongly shakes the Taira family. Tadamori, however, shows no sign of perturbation, and asks the retired Emperor Toba, who had ordered Tadamori...
S01E16 Goodbye, Father (さらば父上)
While the internal power struggle within the Fujiwara family is heating up, Tadamori, who has been promoted after completing the reconstruction of Mt. Koya, is struck down by an illness. Meanwhile, Nariko plots to embroil...
S01E17 The Heike’s Leader (平氏の棟梁)
In 1153 after the death of Tadamori, Kiyomori officially becomes the head of the Taira family, however, he starts to doubt his abilities in following the great footsteps of his father. Although the Taira family...
S01E18 Emperor Go-Shirakawa (誕生、後白河帝)
In 1154, as the reigning Emperor Konoe's illness worsens, the retired Emperor Toba regrets and wonders if the cause of illness is retribution for him not being in good terms with the former Emperor Sutoku....
S01E19 Toba's Will (鳥羽院の遺言)
Prince Masahito ascends the throne and becomes Emperor Go-Shirakawa, which throws the Imperial Court into chaos. Meanwhile, a dispute arises among the Minamoto family and the relation between Tameyoshi and Yoshitomo becomes worse. Emperor Go-Shirakawa...
S01E20 Prior Night's Decision (前夜の決断)
In 1156, the former Emperor Sutoku and Yorinaga similarly oppressed, join together. Shinzei puts the two under suspicion of treason and commands the samurais to side to Emperor Go-Shirakawa. While Tameyoshi and Yoshitomo are divided...
S01E21 he Hogen Rebellion (保元の乱)
On the late night of July 10, 1156, military meetings are held at both sides, the former Emperor Sutoku and the reigning Emperor Go-Shirakawa, where the two forces react differently on whether to launch a...
S01E22 The Price of the Victory (勝利の代償)
The Hogen Rebellion finally comes to an end with the victory of the Emperor Go-Shirakawa side. Yorinaga, who is seriously hurt while escaping, seeks help from his father but the cry for help goes unanswered...
S01E23 Killing My Uncle (叔父を斬る)
Kiyomori and Yoshitomo are respectively ordered to cut off Tadamasa and Tameyoshi's heads by Shinzei who has now come to power in the Imperial Court. Although the two are torn between sorrow and duty, they...
S01E24 Kiyomori’s First (清盛の大一番)
Shinzei, who is actively engaged in political events, sends Kiyomori to Chinzei to raise money by collecting unpaid taxes. Meanwhile, Shigemori, Kiyomori's eldest son, not accepting Kiyomori following Shinzei--the person who ordered Kiyomori to kill...
S01E25 Unfulfilled Dreams (見果てぬ夢)
Yoshitomo feels chagrined at remaining in his low status, while Kiyomori is climbing up the ladder of success. Yoritomo, Yoshitomo's eldest son, meets Kiyomori for the first time and gets overwhelmed by his strong presence....
S01E26 Heiji Rebellion (平治の乱)
In 1159, Yoshitomo finally decides to join hands with Nobuyori and rises in revolt against Shinzei--the Heiji Rebellion. Yoshitomo and Nobuyori place Emperor Nijo (Emperor Go-Shirakawa's son who has ascended the throne) and the former...
S01E27 A Fated Showdown (宿命の対決)
Kiyomori declares his intention to show his obedience to Nobuyori instead of taking an immediate action against him, which surprises the members of the Taira family. While Yoshimoto is irritated by Kiyomori not rising up...
S01E28 A Friend’s Son, A Friend’s Wife (友の子、友の妻)
Yoshitomo, who was defeated by Kiyomori, flees eastward but ends up being alone with Masakiyo, Yoshitomo's foster brother and most loyal aide, and the two commit suicide. In Kyoto, Yoritomo, who was separated from Yoshitomo...
S01E29 Shigeko's Wedding (滋子の婚礼)
In 1160, Kiyomori is finally granted the long-sought rank which equals to that of an aristocrat, and many within the Taira family also enjoyed promotions. Meanwhile, Shigeko, Kiyomori's sister-in-law, is offered to marry Emperor Nijo,...
S01E30 The Heike's Sutra (平家納経)
In 1161, the retired Emperor Sutoku, who has been exiled to Sanuki where he is now living a quiet life, writes a hand-copied sutra for the former Emperor Go-Shirakawa with hopes to express apology. However,...
S01E31 Prisoner in Izu (伊豆の流人)
It is 1164, Yoritomo, who was exiled five years ago by Kiyomori, has now turned 18 and lives with his retainer in Izu. Meanwhile, Kiyomori gains power in the Imperial Court under the rule of...
S01E32 Chief Minister for 100 Days (百日の太政大臣)
In 1166, Kiyomori becomes the first samurai who reaches the position of a Major Counselor at the Imperial Court. Although some aristocrats reacted sharply against Kiyomori's unprecedented promotion, Kiyomori continues to extend power with the...
S01E33 Kiyomori's 50th Birthday (清盛、五十の宴)
In 1167, Kiyomori becomes the Chief Minister of the Imperial Court. At the celebration of Kiyomori's 50th birthday, aristocrats from prominent families, who are discontent with Kiyomori's dominance over the Imperial Court, appear and say...
S01E34 Shirakawa's Message (白河院の伝言)
In 1168, Kiyomori is struck down by a febrile illness, which shakes not only the Taira family but also the Imperial Court and samurais across the country. The retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa, who learns of Kiyomori's...
S01E35 Fukuhara, my Capital (わが都、福原)
After recovering from his illness, Kiyomori enters the Buddhist priesthood with his wife Tokiko. Kiyomori decides to move his base to Fukuhara to live closer to a port, which surprises the Taira family. In February...
S01E36 A Great Man's Shadow (巨人の影)
While Kiyomori moves to Fukuhara, entrusting Kyoto to his heir Shigemori, the retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa enters the Buddhist priesthood. In 1169, the Imperial Court falls into chaos by Go-Shirakawa's incoherent order on the treatment of...
S01E37 The Riding Incident (殿下乗合事件)
In 1170, Kiyomori invites the cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa to Fukuhara where he arranges a meeting between Go-Shirakawa and the people from Sung. Meanwhile, Sukemori, Shigemori's son, gets insulted by Fujiwara no Motofusa from a prominent...
S01E38 Not a Heike, Not a Person (平家にあらずんば人にあらず)
In July 1171, Kiyomori succeeds in marrying off his daughter, Tokuko, to Emperor Takakura, thanks to the hospitality he offered to the cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa and Shigeko (Empress Dowager Kenshun). The Taira family enjoys the...
S01E39 Usagimaru Mortified (兎丸無念)
In 1172 in Fukuhara, Kiyomori with the backing of the cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa steadily advances construction work of a port, together with Usagimaru (Kiyomori's retainer) to prepare for the trading with Sung. Kiyomori orders Usagimaru...
S01E40 A Short Song (はかなき歌)
In 1174 in Fukuhara, Japan-Sung trade has already started. Kiyomori advises the cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa and Shigeko to visit Itsukushima Shrine to pray for the nation's prosperity. Meanwhile, Saiko and Narichika (Go-Shirakawa's aides) start to...
S01E41 How the Dice Rolls (賽（さい）の目の行方)
In 1177, Saiko's son gets into a skirmish with Buddhist monks at a temple on Mt. Hakusan, and the incident escalates into a brawl, involving Buddhist monks of Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei. The cloistered Emperor...
S01E42 Shishigatani Conspiracy (鹿ヶ谷の陰謀)
Kiyomori receives secret information that the cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa and his aides, including Narichika and Saiko, are plotting to overthrow the Taira family. Kiyomori bursts in anger and captures Saiko to extort a confession out...
S01E43 Loyalty or Filial Piety (忠と孝のはざまで)
Narichika, who has been exiled by Kiyomori, dies from starvation. Shigemori becomes worn down by the passing of his brother-in-law and from the considerations shown for the cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa. Around the same time, Kiyomori...
S01E44 The view from there (そこからの眺め)
Shigemori, who has been suffering from anxiety of being caught between the cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa and Kiyomori, finally falls ill. After Kiyomori's daughter Moriko, who acted as the intermediary between the Fujiwara and Taira families,...
S01E45 Prince Mochihito's Command (以仁王の令旨)
Kiyomori launches a coup d'etat by placing the cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa under confinement, and finally becomes the first samurai to seize control over the entire country. While Kiyomori manipulates the Imperial Court freely from Fukuhara,...
S01E46 Yoritomo Rebels (頼朝挙兵)
Learning Prince Mochihito's plot, Kiyomori bursts in anger and captures Mochihito and his followers. While Kiyomori enforces the transfer of capital to Fukuhara for Emperor Antoku, Yoritomo finally rises up against the Taira family. Kiyomori...
S01E47 Defeat of fate (宿命の敗北)
In 1180, Kiyomori commands his followers to defeat Yoritomo under the name of the former Emperor Takakura. Although Yoritomo loses the battle against the Taira forces at Mt. Ishibashi, he vows to realize Yoshitomo's long-cherished...
S01E48 Illusionary Capital (幻の都)
After the loss in the Battle of Fujikawa, Kiyomori reluctantly gives in to Munemori's tearful appeal for restoring the capital to Kyoto. Learning Kiyomori's decision, Yoritomo no longer understands Kiyomori's thoughts toward a samurai-oriented country,...
S01E49 When the Game Ends (双六が終わるとき)
Early in the following year in 1181, ill feelings towards the Taira family spread across the country. Meanwhile, the former Emperor Takakura, who has been an anchor to Kiyomori, passes away at the age of...
S01E50 Were we Born to Play? (遊びをせんとや生まれけむ)
Kiyomori is struck down by a febrile illness. Kiyomori appears before Saigyo, formerly named Norikiyo, as a wraith, and learns the meaning of his life through dialogue with Saigyo. In Kyoto, people rush to Kiyomori's...
Cast
Kenichi Matsuyama
Taira no Kiyomori
Kiichi Nakai
Taira no Tadamori
Shota Matsuda
Go-Shirakawa-tenno
Arata Iura
Emperor Sutoku
Fumiyo Kohinata
Minamoto no Tameyoshi
Yudai Chiba
Emperor Takakura
Hiroshi Tamaki
Minamoto no Yoshitomo
Rei Dan
Fujiwara no Shoshi
Kyoko Fukada
Taira no tokiko
Ryo
Horikawa no Tsubone
Rena Tanaka
Lady Yura
Emi Takei
Tokiwa Gozen
