Naritsugu was born in
Fukui as the third son of
Matsudaira Haruyoshi. Naritsugu's mother was of lowly origins, she was taken care of by the later ruler
Matsudaira Shungaku who described her as a 'teahouse girl'. His childhood name was Jinosuke (仁之助). In 1817, he was engaged to Asahime, a daughter of
Shōgun Tokugawa Ienari, and the couple was formally married in 1819. He underwent his
genpuku ceremony in 1824 and received a
kanji from Tokugawa Ienari’s name to become Matsudaira Naritsugu. At that time, his
courtesy title was
Iyo-no-kami and his
court rank was Junior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade. His father died in 1825 and he formally became
daimyō of Fukui early the following year. His courtesy title became
Echizen-no-kami and also ''Sakon'e-no-shōjō'' Early in his tenure (from 1827) he ordered a five-year
fiscal austerity plan in an attempt to rebuild the domain’s finances, and from 1829 he ordered that the domain’s retainers be reduced to half the present number over the next seven years. However, in stark contrast to these efforts, he maintained the luxurious lifestyle of his father and grandfather, and spared no expense when he rebuilt the palace within the grounds of
Fukui Castle. The domain was also hit hard by increasing rice prices, and a major
smallpox epidemic. Naritsugu also attempted to convince the Shōgun to allow him to trade territories with
Hikone Domain under the control of the
Ii clan; however, he died in 1835 at the domain’s Edo residence at the age of 25, possibly due to illness, before a decision was reached. This was one of the causes of the ill-will between the
Tairō Ii Naosuke and future
daimyō of Fukui, especially
Matsudaira Shungaku. At the time of his death, Naritsugu had not yet produced an heir. A younger son of Tokugawa Ienari, and thus a brother of Asahime, was chosen as successor. == Portrayal in media ==