Noriyori Minamoto

Noriyori Minamoto was a member of Minamoto clan, who helped Yoshitsune in the battle against Taira

Role in Games
Noriyori is an important Minamoto officer in Genpei Kassen and Genghis Khan series.

Historical Information
He was a 6th son of Minamoto Yoshitomo and was a brethren with Yoritomo and Yoshitsune. After his father died during Heiji Rebellion, he seemingly disappeared from any record until 1180.

Later, he became a general of Minamoto army during Genpei War and helped Yoshitsune to crush Taira army at Ichi-no-Tani and Dan-no-ura. He and Yoshitsune also defeated Minamoto Yoshinaka' army at Uji and Awazu. After the Taira clan was destroyed, he went to receive the reward from Yoritomo in Kamakura. Later, when Yoritomo's relationship with Yoshitsune soured, Yoritomo asked Noriyori for help. Noriyori refused due to his friendship with Yoshitsune.

In the year 1193, there were rumors that Yoritomo died while hunting at Mount Fuji, filling his wife, Hōjō Masako, with worry. Noriyori then comforted her and told her that "If assuming that my elder brother, Yoritomo truly died, I will be by your side". Of course, when the words of Noriyori reached Yoritomo. Noriyori was exiled in Izu and it is speculated that Noriyori was killed by Yoritomo's assassin in September of the same year.