Name: Prince Mochihito (以仁王)
Birth/ Death: (1151-1180)
Appearance: Book 4 Episode 3, 5-8, 11-14; Book 5 Episode 1, 14; Book 6 Episode 4
Bio:
He was usually addressed as 'Takakura Prince'(高倉宮親王), and since the rebellion in 1180, also as 'Minamoto Mochimitsu'(源以光). Son of Emperor Go-Shirakawa, was believed to have a more legitimate claim to the throne than 2-year-old Prince Antoku. He supported the Minamoto clan in their conflict against the Taira and Kiyomori. In Book 4, Taira no Kiyomori forced Emperor Takakura to retire and stopped the Insei, or cloistered rule, of Go-Shirakawa. This became a reason used by Minamoto no Yorimasa to persuade Prince Mochihito to help his rebellion. Prince Mochihito then secretly sent orders to the entire Minamoto clan in the Kantou area to attack the Taira clan. However, Kiyomori learned about the rebellion and sent men after Prince Mochihito and Yorimasa, who retreated to Miidera. After losing faith in the temple's ability to protect him, the prince fled across the River Uji, to the Phoenix Hall. This led to the first battle of Uji, which Mochihito eventually escaped. After being chased down, the prince's 30 men were shot down by arrows, and then his head was cut off and delivered to Kiyomori. He is noted for his role in starting the Genpei War.