Name: Fujiwara no Naritsune (藤原 成経)
Birth/ Death: (? -1202)
Appearance: Book 2 Episode 4, 5, 9, 10, 15; Book 3 Episode 1-3, 7-9
Bio:
Son of Narichika, Son-in law of Norimori (Kiyomori's younger brother). Was originally to be sent to death by Kiyomori. He was taken away as his wife was about to give birth. In Book 2, chapter 5 (Plea of Naritsune) Norimori pleas for Kiyomori to spare his Naritsune's life. Norimori is successful and thus Naritsune is exiled. Naritsune tells his son to become a monk and pray for him; even though he originally wanted his son to serve the cloistered emperor. He eventually makes his way to Kikai-ga-shima and is sent to live in a temple in Bitchu. He finds out that his father, Narichika, is on the same island; however the monks kept misleading him with information on his location. Eventually he gave up on trying to find his father.
He appears with Yasuyori (As many were exiled to Kikai-ga-shima) during the 15th chapter of Book 2, "Prayer of Yasuyori" and 16th chapter, "Stupas Cast Into The Sea" where Naritsune and Yasuyori devoted themselves to the Kumano gods in hope of returning home. Naritsune returned along with Yasuyori after the stupas reached the Cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa.
He appears in the second chapter of of Book 3, "Stamping in Frenzy" when is he seen leaving Kikai-ga-shima with Yasuyori on a boat due to Kiyomori's pardon. He is described as being very sympathetic towards Shunkan as he is leaving without him. he appears again in the 7th chapter of Book 3, "Naritsune's Return" where he is seen traveling to Narichika's burial and describes him mourning and feeling sorry for what happened to his father. He then traveled to Toba, in which he found his father's old villa, Suhama Hall. Naritsune departs from Yasuyori and returns to Norimori's home where he is greeted in a very emotional gathering with his mother, the house staff, Naritsune's wife and his son. He retired there and spent some time serving, "The Cloistered Emperor" after parting ways with Yasuyori, taking an alternate path to reflect on his time in exile.