A Summary of Book Ten:

Book Ten follows two Heike men, Shigehira and Koremori, on their paths after their defeats at the hands of the Minamoto. The book opens with the slain Taira being paraded through the capital. Koremori's family looks for him, but they do not find him. This is because Koremori is safe at Yashima. However, Shigehira has suffered the fate of being captured and being turned over to Yoritomo. A deal is proposed: Shigehira will be killed unless the Taira return the three regalia which determine who has power in the country. However, Munemori declines believing that Shigehira will be killed regardless. So, Shigehira is held captive and moved to Kamakura.

In this chapter, Shigehira is shown as a man with culture which challenges the view that all Taira are brutes and savages. We see scenes of him playing the biwa, reciting poetry, and singing which surprises and amazes those around him as he travels to Kamakura, Yoritomo's realm of power. Many women fall for his charms and eventually spend their lives praying for him to have a good afterlife.

Koremori, on the other hand, managed to not get captured. He, instead, has opted to renounce the world and take his life with two companions. While he never got to see his family one last time, he spends his entire journey thinking about them and how difficult is to leave them behind. Takiguchi, a devout man, accompanied him on his voyage and helped him achieve peace with the decision to commit suicide. Koremori and company recite the Name of Amida at the Nachi sea and drown themselves with Takiguchi in attendance to help them make it to the Pure Land.

Similarly, these events with Koremori are supposed to make us sympathize with him. He is a very sensitive, emotional character that is depicted more realistically than some of the other characters of the tale. His overwhelming emotions and very real feelings and love for his family and the arts make him more modern man when compared to his grandfather Kiyomori who was larger than life and depicted as such.

This chapter works to make the audience sympathize with the losing Heike because The Tale of the Heike was originally told to appease Heike spirits. Shigehira and Koremori being depicted in a good light aid that function.