

So in the end, Natsume and Harutora kissed. Isn't that weird? They are
supposed to be cousins, right? Or was Natsume adopted? Which wouldn't explain
her natural talent.


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tokyo-ravens
Aren't Harutora and Natsume related?


Yes, they're first cousins on their respective fathers' side.

* * *

Whether this is weird or not depends on your cultural background. In certain
Hindu communities in north India, a relationship between fourth cousins would
be deemed illicit, never mind first cousins. On the other hand, in certain
parts of the Middle East, first-cousin marriages are quite prevalent,
accounting for upwards of 30% of marriages in some places (e.g.
[Jordan](http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-
africa/21693632-marriage-between-close-relatives-much-too-common-keeping-it-
family) and [Saudi Arabia](http://english.alarabiya.net/en/life-style/art-and-
culture/2015/04/04/Health-fears-question-Arab-tradition-of-cousin-
marriages-.html)).

What about Japan?

My understanding is that first-cousin relationships in Japan are rare enough
that they would be considered unusual ([this 1986
paper](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3780039) suggests 1.6%; table 15 of
[this
whitepaper](http://www.ipss.go.jp/syoushika/bunken/data/pdf/14168401.pdf)
suggests rates as high as 2.89% in some parts). However, they are not
forbidden by law or by religious doctrine, and are generally not stigmatized
to the same degree as in, say, the United States or most of Europe. Indeed,
[Naoto KAN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naoto_Kan) (prime minister of Japan
2010-2011) is married to his first cousin.

* * *

Getting back to the topic of anime, it's worth noting that same-generation
incest is considerably overrepresented in anime and related "otaku" media
relative to its occurrence in real life (for proof, observe that _Who is
"Imouto"?_ is a thing that exists). So, not only would a relationship between
Harutora and Natsume not be that weird in real Japan, when you look at it from
a "meta" point of view, it's even less weird that such a thing would happen in
an anime.


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answer


According to volume 11 of the light novel, Natsumi was abandoned on the
Wakasugi's door step after Harutora's mother died. So, yes, she is adopted.


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