Name: Taira no Kiyomori (平 清盛)
Appearance: Book 1 Episode 1-6; Book 2 Episode 1, 3-7, 9-12, 16; Book 3 Episode 1-5, 11, 15-19; Book 4 Episode 1-9, 13, 16; Book 5 Episode 1, 3, 4, 12-14; Book 6 Episode 6 Episode 4-10; Book 7 Episode 5, 20; Book 8 Episode 4, 11; Book 9 Episode 7; Book 10 Episode 2, 5, 12, 14; Book 12 Episode 19; Initiates Book Episode 1-5
Birth/Death: (1118-1181)
Bio:
Eldest son of Taira no Tadamori, he became the head of the Taira clan in 1153. Father of Shigemori, Motomori, Munemori, Tomomori, Shigehira, Tomonori, Kiyofusa, Kiyosada, Kiyokuni, Kenreimon-in, and seven other daughters. Kiyomori is cast as the villain whose political ambition brought about the end of his clan, the Taira (also referred to as the Heike). The title of the work (The Tale of the Heike) hints at the importance of his role: he is the impetus for the story of the fall of his family. In order to commemorate the crown prince's, Emperor Antoku's, birth, Kiyomori shows his appreciation to the Gods by commanding repairs to be done to all religious buildings, commencing the building of Shinto torii, and so on. However, he is warned by a goddess in his dreams that his sinful rulership will cause suffering to his progeny.
Kiyomori is haunted by nightmares comprised of demons, goblins, and skulls. A giant face even tries to stare down Kiyomori. However, Kiyomori is unfazed by them. These events foreshadow the karmic fate that awaits the Taira, because of Kiyomori's continued cruelty and corruption. Kiyomori later dies in Book Six, falling ill and being incredibly heated. He attempts to cool himself with water, but it has no effect. He even tries dipping into a pool of water, only for it to boil. He dies in painful convulsions. This was likely a karmic death, in the sense that he was the one ultimately responsible for the burning of the temples.
Notes:
A passage titled "The Gion Consort" in Book 6 Episode 10 tells the story of those who thought that Kiyomori was actually the son of Retired Emperor Shirakawa rather than Tadamori.
In the chapter "Jishinbō" it is explained how Kiyomori was the great Buddhist master Jie reborn. This was thought to be true due to King Enma saying "he is no ordinary man, ... No, he is a manifestation of the great teacher Jie," This was directed towards Son'e who brought the message back to Lord Kiyomori, Kiyomori then promoted Son'e to Master of Discipline and therefore became known as the great Jie's reincarnation.