In 1153 after the death of Tadamori, Kiyomori officially becomes the head of the Taira family, however, he starts to doubt his abilities in following the great footsteps of his father. Although the Taira family establishes a new structure after Tadamori's wife, Muneko, became a Buddhist nun, Tokiko is not yet dependable enough to organize household matters, which prompts anxiety among the Taira family. Fujiwara no Ienari, who is concerned about the Taira family, devises a plan to hold a poetry party at the Imperial Court to introduce Kiyomori as the head of the Taira family and make Kiyomori read his poetry there.
１１５３年、ついに清盛（松山ケンイチ）は平氏の棟りょうの座につく。父・忠盛（中井貴一）の仕事を引き継いでいく清盛だったが、忠盛が残した功績は計り知れなく棟りょうの器に不安を感じ始める。妻・時子（深田恭子）もまだ一門をまとめるにはおぼつかなく、不安な船出となる。そんな平氏一門を見かねた家成（佐藤二朗）は、棟りょうとなった清盛を朝廷にお披露目すべく、歌会を催し、清盛に歌を一首詠ませようと画策する。
