Name: Sasaki Shiro Takatsuna (佐々木 高綱)
Birth/ Death: (1160-1214)
Appearance: Book 9 Episode 1, 2, 3, 7
Bio:
A commander for the Minamoto clan. Receives the horse Ikezuki from Yoritomo and races Kajiwara Kagesue across the river Uji to be the first to engage in battle.
Takatsuna grew up with his aunt in Kyoto, and joined forces with Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1180. During the battle of Ishibashiyama, he saved Yoritomo's life and aided him in bringing down the Taira clan. As a reward for his service, he was made governor of the Nagato province.