In 1147, when Kiyomori and the members of the Taira family visit Gion Shrine to pray for the prosperity of the Taira family, they get into a skirmish with armed priests. The incident escalates into a serious political problem, involving the Imperial Court, temples, shrines, and samurai families. While Yorinaga and Michinori (who renamed to Shinzei after entering the Buddhist priesthood) conflict with each other over the treatment of Tadamori and Kiyomori who are under detainment, the retired Emperor Toba decides to talk with Kiyomori directly.
祇園社で僧兵ともめたことをきっかけに、比叡山は平氏の横暴だと強訴を起こす。院の命令で止めに入った源氏兵を横目に、清盛（松山ケンイチ）が放った一本の矢は神聖として誰も手が出なかった神輿（しんよ）に突き刺さる。この一本の矢が京の都中を揺るがす大事件に。若き日の清盛といえば、このエピソード。比叡山の僧兵・鬼若（青木崇高）も登場。この鬼若、後々、源平合戦の重要なキャラクターになっていくので、そこにも注目！
