Taira no Kiyomori: Season 1
Episode Guide
Season 1 Progress Shield
Two Fathers (ふたりの父)
Jan 8, 2012
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
The Villain Takeheita (無頼の高平太)
Jan 15, 2012
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 Emper
Son of Two Clans (源平の御曹司)
Jan 22, 2012
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
Court Assassination (殿上の闇討ち)
Jan 29, 2012
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
Crush the Pirates (海賊討伐)
Feb 5, 2012
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 t
The Pirate King of the Western Seas (西海の海賊王)
Feb 12, 2012
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 Unshining Prince (光らない君)
Feb 19, 2012
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 v
Currency and the Minister (宋銭と内大臣)
Feb 26, 2012
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 i
The Two Outcasts (ふたりのはみだし者)
Mar 4, 2012
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
Norikiyo's Fall (義清散る)
Mar 11, 2012
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
A Monster's Tears (もののけの涙)
Mar 18, 2012
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 aw
A Fateful Reunion (宿命の再会)
Mar 25, 2012
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 fi
The Gion Incident (祇園闘乱事件)
Apr 1, 2012
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 incide
Iemori Rises (家盛決起)
Apr 8, 2012
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. Yorinag
Chaos in the Clan (嵐の中の一門)
Apr 15, 2012
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 retire
Goodbye, Father (さらば父上)
Apr 22, 2012
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 il
The Heike’s Leader (平氏の棟梁)
Apr 29, 2012
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 fat
Emperor Go-Shirakawa (誕生、後白河帝)
May 6, 2012
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 t
Toba's Will (鳥羽院の遺言)
May 13, 2012
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 relat
Prior Night's Decision (前夜の決断)
May 20, 2012
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-
he Hogen Rebellion (保元の乱)
May 27, 2012
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 differentl
The Price of the Victory (勝利の代償)
Jun 3, 2012
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 cr
Killing My Uncle (叔父を斬る)
Jun 10, 2012
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 betw
Kiyomori’s First (清盛の大一番)
Jun 17, 2012
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 acceptin
Unfulfilled Dreams (見果てぬ夢)
Jun 24, 2012
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 a
Heiji Rebellion (平治の乱)
Jul 1, 2012
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-Shira
A Fated Showdown (宿命の対決)
Jul 8, 2012
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 Yoshimot
A Friend’s Son, A Friend’s Wife (友の子、友の妻)
Jul 15, 2012
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,
Shigeko's Wedding (滋子の婚礼)
Jul 22, 2012
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, Kiyom
The Heike's Sutra (平家納経)
Jul 29, 2012
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
Prisoner in Izu (伊豆の流人)
Aug 5, 2012
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 t
Chief Minister for 100 Days (百日の太政大臣)
Aug 19, 2012
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 unprec
Kiyomori's 50th Birthday (清盛、五十の宴)
Aug 26, 2012
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 Kiy
Shirakawa's Message (白河院の伝言)
Sep 2, 2012
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-Sh
Fukuhara, my Capital (わが都、福原)
Sep 9, 2012
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 surpr
A Great Man's Shadow (巨人の影)
Sep 16, 2012
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 ch
The Riding Incident (殿下乗合事件)
Sep 23, 2012
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'
Not a Heike, Not a Person (平家にあらずんば人にあらず)
Sep 30, 2012
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 (
Usagimaru Mortified (兎丸無念)
Oct 7, 2012
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) t
A Short Song (はかなき歌)
Oct 14, 2012
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 pro
How the Dice Rolls (賽（さい）の目の行方)
Oct 21, 2012
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
Shishigatani Conspiracy (鹿ヶ谷の陰謀)
Oct 28, 2012
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 bur
Loyalty or Filial Piety (忠と孝のはざまで)
Nov 4, 2012
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 cloiste
The view from there (そこからの眺め)
Nov 11, 2012
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 ac
Prince Mochihito's Command (以仁王の令旨)
Nov 18, 2012
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. Wh
Yoritomo Rebels (頼朝挙兵)
Nov 25, 2012
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,
Defeat of fate (宿命の敗北)
Dec 2, 2012
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. Ishiba
Illusionary Capital (幻の都)
Dec 9, 2012
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 l
When the Game Ends (双六が終わるとき)
Dec 16, 2012
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, pa
Were we Born to Play? (遊びをせんとや生まれけむ)
Dec 23, 2012
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.