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The Noble Houses of Soul Society have an unclear role in the culture, social and governmental aspects of that dimensions existence. The Four Noble Families (四大貴族, Yondai Kizoku; lit. "Four Great Noble Families") carry the most weight and appear to have some influence over the governmental institutions (i.e. Central 46 Chambers) and even institutions outside of the government (i.e. Shin'ō Academy). The military (i.e. Gotei 13, Kidō Corps & Onmitsukidō) have no authority to act against a noble family without evidence that their actions are treasonous to Soul Society.

Four Noble Families[]

Shihōin Clan[]

Shihōin family seal

Shihōin Family Emblem

By tradition, the head of the Shihōin family leads the Onmitsukidō. Also known as the Tenshi Heisōban (天賜兵装番, Guard of the Heavenly Gifted Armaments)[1], they are the Caretakers of the Hōgu (宝具, Treasure Tools) and Bugu (武具, War Tools) said to have been bestowed on them by the gods.[2]

Family Members[]

Shihōin Clan
Name Title Relation Status
Chika Shihōin Unknown N/A Deceased
Yoruichi Shihōin 22nd Head of the Shihōin Clan Older Sister of Yūshirō Alive
Yūshirō Shihōin 23rd Head of the Shihōin Clan Younger Brother of Yoruichi Alive

Kuchiki Clan[]

Kuchiki family seal

Kuchiki Family Emblem

Members of the Kuchiki family have been known to wear Kenseikan (牽星箝, lit. "Star-Pulling Insert") in their hair, which symbolizes their nobility as one of Four Noble Families. The Kuchiki family also has a white scarf made by the master weaver, Tsujishirō Kuroemon III. The scarf is made from the Ginpaku Kazahana no Usuginu (銀白風花紗, Silks of the Silverwhite Wildflower), a silver-white, windflower light silk, 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.[3] By tradition, the family has been charged with compiling and protecting the history of Soul Society.[4] The family resides in the Kuchiki Manor.[5]

Family Members[]

(† = confirmed Death)

Kuchiki Clan
Name Title Relation Status
Byakuya Kuchiki 28th Head of the Kuchiki Clan Son of Sōjun Kuchiki
Grandson of Ginrei Kuchiki
Alive
Rukia Kuchiki Noblewoman Adopted Sister of Byakuya Kuchiki
Sister of Hisana Kuchiki
Alive
Former Members
Ginrei Kuchiki 27th Head of the Kuchiki Clan Father of Sōjun Kuchiki
Grandfather of Byakuya Kuchiki
Unknown
Sōjun Kuchiki Nobleman Father of Byakuya Kuchiki
Son of Ginrei Kuchiki
Deceased †
Unnamed Kuchiki Noblewoman Mother of Byakuya Kuchiki
Wife of Sōjun Kuchiki
Deceased †
Hisana Kuchiki Lady of the Kuchiki Clan Wife of Byakuya Kuchiki
Sister of Rukia Kuchiki
Deceased †

Third Great Noble House[]

No information about this house has been revealed.

Fourth Great Noble House[]

No information about this house has been revealed.

Lower Noble Houses[]

Fēng Family[]

Traditionally serves the Shihōin Clan by joining the Onmitsukidō. The Fēng Family ( (フォン)家, Fon-ke) makes its living as assassins and executioners.[6] Any member who doesn't pass the test to get into the Onmitsukidō's Executive Militia is exiled.[7]

However the current head, Suì-Fēng, serves as the commander-in-chief for the Onmitsukidō as well as the captain of the 2nd Division in the Gotei 13.

(† = confirmed death)

Fēng Family
Name Title Relation Status
Suì-Fēng 9th Head of the Fēng Family Great-granddaughter of Suì-Fēng Alive
Former Members
Suì-Fēng Noblewoman Suì-Fēng's Great-grandmother Deceased †
Unnamed Father Nobleman/Assassin Suì-Fēng's Father Deceased †
Unnamed Mother Noblewoman/Assassin Suì-Fēng's Mother Deceased †
Unnamed Brother Nobleman/Assassin Suì-Fēng's Brother Deceased †
Unnamed Brother Nobleman/Assassin Suì-Fēng's Brother Deceased †
Unnamed Brother Nobleman/Assassin Suì-Fēng's Brother Deceased †
Unnamed Brother Nobleman/Assassin Suì-Fēng's Brother Deceased †
Unnamed Brother Nobleman/Assassin Suì-Fēng's Brother Deceased †

Kyōraku Family[]

The Kyōraku Family (京楽家, Kyōraku-ke) is an old, prestigious and high-ranking noble family.

(† = confirmed death)

Kyōraku Family
Name Title Relation Status
Unnamed Father Head of the Kyōraku Family Father of the Kyōraku Family Alive
Unnamed Mother Lady of the Kyōraku Family Mother of the Kyōraku Family Alive
Shunsui Kyōraku Nobleman 2nd Son of the Kyōraku Family Alive
Former Members
Unnamed Brother Nobleman 1st Son of the Kyōraku Family
Father of Nanao Ise
Deceased †

Ukitake Family[]

A low-class aristocratic family.

(† = confirmed death)

Ukitake Family
Name Title Relation Status
十三 Ukitake Nobleman Father of Jūshirō Alive
駒 Ukitake Noblewoman Mother of Jūshirō Alive
見晴 Ukitake Noblewoman Younger Sister of Jūshirō Alive
実純 Ukitake Nobleman Younger Brother of Jūshirō Alive
萩道 Ukitake Nobleman Younger Brother of Jūshirō Alive
Unnamed Brother Nobleman Unnamed Younger Brother of Jūshirō Alive
Unnamed Brother Nobleman Unnamed Younger Brother of Jūshirō Alive
Hana Ukitake Noblewoman Younger Sister of Jūshirō Alive
Tama Ukitake Nobleman Younger Brother of Jūshirō Alive
Former Members
Jūshirō Ukitake Former Head of the Ukitake Family Oldest Brother of the Ukitake Siblings Deceased †

Ōmaeda Family[]

A wealthy aristocratic family. The family has a history of service in the Onmitsukidō.[8]
(† = confirmed death)

Ōmaeda Family
Name Title Relation Status
Marenoshin Ōmaeda Head of the Ōmaeda Family Father of the Ōmaeda Family Alive
Mareka Ōmaeda Lady of the Ōmaeda Family Mother of the Ōmaeda Family Alive
Marechiyo Ōmaeda Nobleman 1st Son of the Ōmaeda Family Alive
Maremi Ōmaeda Noblewoman 1st Daughter of the Ōmaeda Family Alive
Marejirōsaburō Ōmaeda Nobleman 2nd Son of the Ōmaeda Family Alive
Mareyo Ōmaeda Noblewoman 2nd Daughter of the Ōmaeda Family Alive

Kira Family[]

A lesser noble family.

(† = confirmed death)

Kira Family
Name Title Relation Status
Izuru Kira Nobleman Son of the Kira Family Alive
Former Members
Kagekiyo Kira Nobleman Father of Izuru Kira Deceased †
Shizuka Kira Noblewoman Mother of Izuru Kira Deceased †

Former Noble Houses[]

The Shiba Clan: The family was once the fifth great noble family, having prestige along the lines of the Kuchiki and Shihōin families. For an unknown reason, the Shiba family fell from their high status position after the death of Lieutenant Kaien Shiba. The family specializes in fireworks.

Important Houses[]

While not exactly noble, these families are notable for being highly respected and revered within Soul Society.

The Ise Clan (伊勢家, Ise-ke; lit. "Ise family") is a clan of Shinto Priests from Soul Society.

Appearance In Other Media[]

It was stated by Tokinada Tsunayashiro that when the Five Noble Families (五大貴族, Godai Kizoku; lit. "Five Great Noble Families") are fully united, their authority completely supersedes even that of Central 46 and the Royal Guard, hence his attempt to reinstate the Shiba Clan into nobility.[9]

Four Noble Families[]

Tsunayashiro Clan[]

One of the Four Noble Families and the most influential and powerful of them. It is said to be responsible for documenting the history of Soul Society.[10]

Lower Noble Houses[]

Kasumiōji Clan & Kannogi Family[]

Note: These Noble Houses are only in the anime and information concerning them does not constitute canon material.

The Kasumiōji Clan is a high-ranking noble family that is just below the four great noble families in status, with Yoruichi Shihōin commenting that their circumstances are a bit "special." The Kasumiōji family members are well known as master forgers in the art of weapons crafting, making the finest weapons in all of Soul Society.[11] The family is traditionally lead by a female.[12]

The Kannogi Family is another high-ranking noble family. They are connected to and often affiliated with the Kasumiōji Family.

Former Noble House[]

Ryōdoji Family[]

Once a noble family in Soul Society exiled from their position 1,000 years ago. They are now known as The Dark Ones.[13]

Trivia[]

  • When encountering Byakuya Kuchiki at the Shishinrō, Ganju Shiba states as follows: "Of course… The Kuchiki Family, it's one of the Four Great Noble Families that hold the title of Shōichii [Senior First Rank]…!" (当たり前だろ…朽木家っていや正一位称号を持つ四大貴族の一つ…!, Atarimaedaro… Kuchiki-ke tte iya Shōichii shōgō o motsu Yondai Kizoku no hitotsu…!).[14]
    • The term Shōichii (正一位; Viz "True First") is more accurately translated as "Senior First Rank" and, in the context of the Japanese court system first established by the Taihō Code of 701, denotes the very highest rank in the Imperial Court (below the Imperial Family), only ever awarded to an extremely limited number of subjects that the court recognizes as most loyal to the country in a given era; in the context of the Noble Houses in Bleach, the term appears to denote the Four Great Noble Families as a whole, as the most eminent among Soul Society's aristocracy.

References[]

  1. Bleach manga; Chapter 159, page 7
  2. "Bleach": Official Bootleg KaraBuri+, page 82
  3. Bleach Official Character Book Souls, page 188
  4. Bleach anime; Episode 88
  5. Bleach manga; Chapter 179
  6. Bleach: Official Character Book SOULs, page 196
  7. Bleach manga; Chapter 159, page 8
  8. Bleach Official Character book 2 MASKED, Kubo's Interview
  9. Bleach novel; Bleach: Can't Fear Your Own World, Interlude
  10. Bleach novel; Bleach: Can't Fear Your Own World, Chapter 6
  11. Bleach anime; Episode 189
  12. Bleach anime; Episode 174
  13. Bleach movie; Bleach: Memories of Nobody
  14. Bleach manga; Chapter 116, page 6
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