Ginrei Kuchiki

is Byakuya Kuchiki's grandfather. A century before the start of the series he was the Captain of the 6th Division and the head of the Kuchiki family, Byakuya succeeded him in both.

Appearance
He has the appearance of an old man with slate gray eyes, a white mustache, and long white hair. He wears the standard captain uniform along with a white scarf made by the master weaver, Tsujishirō Kuroemon III. The scarf is made from the silver-white, windflower light silk (ginpaku kazahana no uzuginu) and is a family heirloom that is handed down from generation to generation and is given to each Kuchiki family head. The scarf alone is worth enough to buy ten mansions in the Seireitei. He wears a long sleeved captains hiori and fingerless black gloves that cover the back of his and loop up to attach at the base of his fingers. He, however, does not wear the aristocratic hair piece that Byakuya does.

Personality
Ginrei Kuchiki is the 27th head of the noble Kuchiki clan, one of the four great noble families in Soul Society. As such, Ginrei acts in an aristocratic manner — he seems always serene and apathetic towards other people. He is also extremely calm, and is noticably quiet, rarely speaking unless to make his intentions known or make a point. He is noted at being extremely patient and not given to rash actions and disdains it as a flaw in others. He believes that power must be respected and mastered and that those incapable of knowing their own heart are not capable of mastery of their own power.

Ginrei is a very perceptive man and is fully aware of the limits of his abilities and can see the skill or potential in others and what they must do to attain that fullness of that potential. Ginrei strongly believes in law and order. As the head of one of the great noble families and as a captain in the Gotei 13, he always works hard for a peaceful society. He would sooner work within the confines of the system then engage in actions that would disrupt the balance of law, even if he believes that something is unjust or wrong.

Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Ginrei was present several centuries ago during a rebellion that caused civil war in Soul Society. He kept his son-in-law Kōga Kuchiki as a somewhat a protege and grew concerned at his continued reliance on his Zanpakutō's power. He was present when Kōga was praised for his actions as helping to further the cause of the victory by Captain-Commander Yamamoto. He would later in his office ask Kōga why he would face the rebel forces alone to which he was told that Kōga believed that he would be able to handle the rebels with just his Zanpakutō and himself as combatants. Upon hearing this Ginrei told him that when one is granted great power the most important part of mastering it is his heart. Kōga remains confused until Ginrei further explains that those who have great power must know how to control their own power, and sometimes be controlled by the power. In order to truly create such a relationship, it is necessary to have a strong heart that keeps one from becoming overconfident. He then told Kōga that he was well aware of how great his power was, but he still lacked the heart to master it.

He later watched alongside Captain-Commander Yamamoto as Kōga achieves another victory against the rebels. Afterwords in his office Kōga gives his status report but Ginrei keeps his back to him and doesn't respond. Later that day Ginrei is approached by his daughter her tells him of her concern that Kōga is changing, Ginrei tells her not to worry about him that he is a smart man with power vastly superior to his own and that he only needs to time to fully understand that.

Sometime later Kōga is given control over a special contingent under the order of Captain-Commander Yamamoto. When he presented the news to Ginrei he expected his father-in-law to be happy for him but Ginrei plainly tells him that he makes sure to not dirty their family name. Further telling him not to misinterpret the Captain-Commanders intentions.

Not long after becoming the head of this new special force Kōga is set up by a faction on his side not wanting him to claim victory in the civil war. When they proceeded to frame him and arrest him he stood to face them. Ginrei appeared and asked what had transpired, when the faction heads told him what "supposedly" took place Ginrei wasn't convinced, but the testimony of one of the critically injured victims sealed his fate. When Kōga tries to swear his innocence to no avail he prepared to fight but Ginrei has him stand down and except imprisonment for the time being. Later that night while imprisoned Ginrei approached Kōga telling him that a sentence has been decided and that he is to be suspended from his Gotei 13 seat for the next 100 years and that his Zanpakutō, is a threat to the peace of soul society so its powers shall be nullified. When Kōga if he actually believed them, Ginrei states that he didn't believe any of the accusations against him but he has to understand what is happening. That those in position of power have a problem with his Zanpakutō and its ability. He further explains that they aren't afraid of him but of Muramasa getting out of control. Kōga was confused at this issue but Ginrei explained that he told him before that a person with great power must have a strong heart. Kōga had been to confident in his Zanpakutō's powers, thus he has rushed into all his conflicts not realizing the repercussions of his actions. Ginrei told him that Captain-Commander Yamamoto was concerned he would loose control thus the reason he gave him the position as captain of the secret contingent. Kōga explains that he had been framed but Ginrei notes that it was Kōga own over-confidence that caused his current predicament, he then told the upset Kōga to calm himself as there was still time before the sentence was to be carried out and he must learn patience. Ginrei leaves to find away to fix the situation before it could get worse.

Turn Back the Pendulum
Approximately 110 years ago Ginrei in his capacity as the the Captain of the Sixth Division was present as the promotion ceremony waiting in line with the other captain's as the newly appointed 12th Division captain Kisuke Urahara arrives to the meeting.

A couple of days later Ginrei arrives at the Kuchiki manor and witnessed the training of his grandson Byakuya. He congratulates the teen on his skill at swordsmanship. Byakuya is surprised to see his grandfather noting that he has come to stay at the manor rather then the division lodgings. He then tells Byakuya that someone has arrived to see him, at first Byakuya is confused as to who it was until he sees that it is Yoruichi Shihōin, Captain of the 2nd Division and Commander of the Special Forces. As heads of noble families they are well connected and Yoruichi has been somewhat a play mate to the reluctant Byakuya. Ginrei watches as the two argue and enter into a competitive game of tag, using shunpo. He appears to be exasperated by Byakuya's rash and hot-headed nature, mentioning that he'd be a great leader if only he'd learn to control himself.

9 years later Ginrei is present at a emergency meeting called by Captain-Commander Yamamoto. When he decides to create a investigation team to locate the missing 9th Division squad members. When he gives out orders, Yamamoto orders Ginrei alongside 13th Division Captain Jūshirō Ukitake, and 8th Division Captain Shunsui Kyōraku to guard the Seireitei.

Powers & Abilities
Flash Steps Expert: as a captain he is shown capable of using flash steps with expert skill.

Zanpakutō

 * Shikai: Not Yet Revealed


 * Bankai: Not Yet Revealed

Navigation
Ginrei Kuchiki Ginrei Kuchiki