Name: Taira no Shigehira (平 重衡)
Birth: (1157-1185)
Appearances: Book 1 Episode 15; Book 2 Episode 3; Book 3 Episode 3; Book 4 Episode 16; Book 5 Episode 12, 14; Book 6 Episode 10, 12; Book 7 Episode 12, 13, 19; Book 8 Episode 9; Book 10 Episode 1-8, 11,13,15; Book 11 Episode 17,19.
Bio:
He is the fourth son of Kiyomori, the younger brother of Shigemori, and one of the major commanders. Under Shigehira's command, an army was sent to Miidera after the monks of Mount Hiei (as well as Kofukuji) helped hide Prince Mochihito. His army burned down the surrounding towns, which caused more destruction, such as the wind carrying over the flames to the Todaiji shrine. The Great Buddha statue that was housed inside of Todaiji was severly damaged due to the burning. The Kofuku-ji temple was also badly burned.
In Book 10 Episode 2, it is revealed that Taira no Shigehira is captured alive and paraded through the capital and guarded by Doi Sanehira, as punishment for his crime of burning down the monasteries. He will be beheaded at Nara because the monks who he severely angered reside there. Yoritomo finally gets Shigehira and he is executed in 1185.
He ordered the burning of Nara during the Battle of Uji.