Taira no Kiyomori — Season 1, Episode 30: The Heike's Sutra (平家納経)

Episode synopsis

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, the sutra he sent to Go-Shirakawa is torn up and returned back to Sutoku. Also, triggered by the sudden death of his son, Prince Shigehito, Sutoku finally explodes with fury. Learning Sutoku's deeply-seated grudges, Kiyomori decides to dedicate sutras, known as "The Heike Nokyo Sutras," to Itsukushima Shrine in order to pray for the prosperity of the Taira family.

About Taira no Kiyomori

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.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1Two Fathers (ふたりの父)
• E2The Villain Takeheita (無頼の高平太)
• E3Son of Two Clans (源平の御曹司)
• E4Court Assassination (殿上の闇討ち)
• E5Crush the Pirates (海賊討伐)
• E6The Pirate King of the Western Seas (西海の海賊王)
• E7The Unshining Prince (光らない君)
• E8Currency and the Minister (宋銭と内大臣)
• E9The Two Outcasts (ふたりのはみだし者)
• E10Norikiyo's Fall (義清散る)
• E11A Monster's Tears (もののけの涙)
• E12A Fateful Reunion (宿命の再会)