Name: Taira no Tomomori (平 知盛)
Birth/ Death: (1152–1185)
Appearance: Book 1 Episode 5, 15; Book 2 Episode 3; Book 4 Episode 11, 12; Book 5 Episode 13; Book 6 Episode 10; Book 7 Episode 4, 12, 13, 15; Book 8 Episode 4, 7, 11; Book 9 Episode 11, 17; Book 10 Episode 11, 15; Book 11 Episode 1, 7-9, 10, 11, 18; Book 12 Episode 9
Bio:
He was the 4th son of Taira no Kiyomori and he held the third rank and his military posting was at captain at the beginning of the Tale.
He became the Kokushi of Musashinokuni at the age of 9. At the time, Musashinokuni was a province where the Minamoto house has the greatest influence. It was believed that Tomomori was sent to oversee this province at such a young age due to his military talent and Charisma.
The first proof of his military talent in The Tale of Heike was the battle of Uji in 1180, depicted in Book 4, where he defeated the rebellion force of Prince Mochihito and Minamoto no Yorimasa easily.
Tomomori leads a Taira force of over twenty-thousand and crushes the Minamoto in Omi, Mino, and Owari. Tomomori later defeats the Minamoto in Mikawa, but falls ill during the pursuit, forcing the Taira to turn back.
In Book 7, Tomomori convinces Munemori to not kill the suspected Minamoto sympathizers who show up for their round of guard duty at the Capital, stating that the Taira's fortunes are over and killing a handful more Minamoto soldiers will make no difference.
In Book 8, Tomomori leads the Taira army at Mizushima, and ten thousand men at Muroyama, two major Taira victories. When Yoshinaka extends an offer to join forces against Yoritomo, Tomomori instead advises that the Taira demand Yoshinaka's surrender.
In Book 9, Tomomori commands the defense of the Taira fortress at Ichi-no-Tani, and then in Ikuta Wood. His men are cut down and he flees to the shore, where he and his son are attacked by Minamoto warriors.
In Book 11, Tomomori commands the Taira forces at the battle of Dan no Ura. When they are defeated, he goes to Emperor Antoku's ship and cleans it. He then proceeds to don a second suit of armor and drown himself. Many of his men immediately jump after him into the water.