Born in 1169, youngest son of Taira no Tsunemori—a younger brother of Kiyomori. From childhood he showed exceptional talent for the flute and treasured "Saeda," a celebrated instrument said to have been given to his grandfather Tadamori by Retired Emperor Toba. Raised in the refined culture of Kyoto as a Taira aristocrat, Atsumori joined the campaign at the age of only 16. When Yoshitsune's surprise attack shattered the Taira force at Ichi-no-Tani (1184), Atsumori rode his horse toward the ships offshore to escape. The warrior Kumagai Naozane called him back, shaming him with the words that fleeing with one's back to the enemy was a samurai's disgrace. Atsumori turned and faced him. Moved by the young man's youth and noble bearing, Kumagai hesitated, but with Minamoto warriors closing in from behind, he took Atsumori's head in tears. The flute "Saeda" was found among Atsumori's belongings. Overcome by the transience of life, Kumagai later became a monk under Honen, taking the name Rensei-bo. "The Death of Atsumori" is one of the most celebrated scenes in the Tale of the Heike and is the source of the kowakamai "Fifty Years of Human Life" and the Noh play "Atsumori."

An elegant young warrior who loved the flute. Despite being only 16, he faced the enemy with courage on the battlefield. His dignified death moved generations to tears.

Kumagai Naozane, who slew Atsumori, became a monk under Honen. The Noh play "Atsumori" and the kowakamai dance were famously performed by Oda Nobunaga. The verse "Fifty years of human life" is widely known in Japan.