Yoshitsune

Kiyomori's Death (1x18)

Air date: May 08, 2005

Although he came to Kamakura wishing to help his brother, Yoshitsune feels that he is not welcomed there. In Kyoto, Kiyomori spends days in despair as his dream of founding a capital in Fukuhara failed. One day, Kiyomori comes down with a high fever. From his sickbed, Kiyomori sends a messenger to the ex-emperor Goshirakawa and asks him to recognize Munemori as the next head of the Heike family. However, the ex-emperor keeps silence since he has already decided to part with Kiyomori. Tokiko feels suspicious about the ex-emperor’s reaction and has Munemori visit the ex-emperor for a talk, but he comes back empty-handed. Despite desperate praying and devoted care of his family and followers, Kiyomori dies. A few days later, Tokiko lies to the members of the family about Kiyomori’s last words, feeling uneasy about Munemori’s capability as the head of the family. Around that time, Yoshitsune hears Kiyomori’s death from Yoritomo and Masako.