However, in "Gyokuyo," there is an article stating that there was a rumor for Noritsune among family members whose heads were exposed that he was still alive and, in "Godaizatsujiki", it is reported that Noritsune committed suicide in the Battle of Dan-no-ura.
ところが、『玉葉』には晒し首になった者たちのうちで教経については生存の風聞がある事を示す記述があり、『醍醐雑事記』などは壇ノ浦の戦いで自害したとしている。