Imai Kanehira (今井兼平, 1152-1184) was a military commander of the late Heian Period of Japan.

His first major engagement was the Siege of Fukuryūji, where he commanded the Minamoto besiegers who successfully captured the fort.

[1] He fought with the forces of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, who wanted to bring an end to Yoshinaka's tyranny.

[3] However, when he heard of Yoshinaka's death from an arrow, he committed suicide by leaping off his horse while holding his sword in his mouth.

[4][5][6] The noh play Kanehira[4]: 175  is about his ghost relating the story of Yoshinaka and himself, and how he wanted to go to the other side.