Name: Shunkan (俊寛)
Birth/Death: (1143-79)
Appearance: Book 1 Episode 12, 13; Book 2 Episode 3, 10, 15; Book 3 Episode 1, 2, 8, 9
Bio:
A prominent member of the Shishi-no-tani group that plotted to overthrow the Taira clan. He owned the villa at Shishi-no-tani where the group would gather and conspire. Shunkan is the grandson of a Genji grand counselor, who was described as "excessively evil-tempered" (Tyler, p. 43). Shunkan was a monk and a close aid to Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa. When Tada no Yukitsuna revealed the conspiracy to Taira no Kiyomori, Shunkan was captured and banished to Kikai-ga-shima.
With the supplies from Noriyori, Shunkan was able to survive there. While Fujiwara no Naritsune and Yasuyori, who were also exiled with Shunkan, enshrined the Kumano diety, Shunkan had no interest in doing so. Then, in Book 3, both Naritsune and Yasuyori were called back by Taira no Kiyomori, but Shunkan's name was not on the list, so he must remain on the island. Heartbroken, he watched the boat sail away. Later, he is found by his acolyte Ariō. Ariō brings a letter written by Shunkan's daughter, which makes Shunkan feel miserable. Shunkan finally dies while in exile, due to starvation, without any appeasement. His spirit becomes vengeful and Ariō burns Shunkan's body inside their hut. Ariō then intends to bring the bones of Shunkan back to Shunkan's daughter as a necklace around his neck.