Tsuruchi Nariko was a bushi of the Mantis Clan. In 1198, during the Mantis-Crane War in the Colonies, Nariko was part of the Mantis forces who attacked Tsukareru Sencha Mura and defeated the Crane. He took out the taisa Daidoji Katsutomo before the fighting even begun. His companion Yoritomo Iwashi regreted he did not kill magistrate Kakita Ichigiku, who had killed Iwashi's cousin in an impromptu duel in the Empire.