Shihōin Clan

The is one of the Four Great Noble families of Soul Society.

Overview
By tradition, the head of the Shihōin family leads the Onmitsukidō. Also known as the, they are the Caretakers of the and  said to have been bestowed on them by the gods.

Every generation the head of the Shihōin is tasked to protect the, an incredible spiritual tool that is said to have been handed down from the Heavens. If they attain a captain seat in the Gotei 13, the Onmitsukidō are led under that captaincy as well.

Clan Structure
Unknown

Equipment

 * the device used by Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku to destroy the Sōkyoku. It is a large, shield-like item with the Shihōin family crest stamped on it and a long cord connected to it. When the cord is wrapped around the Sōkyoku and two Zanpakutō are stabbed into two vertical slots running from its top, their Reiryoku flows through the cord and destroys the Sōkyoku. The Shield is normally kept under a seal for some form of protective purposes.