Noble Houses

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 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 Emblem

By tradition, the head of the Shihōin family leads the Onmitsukidō. Also known as the Tenshiheisōban (天賜兵装番, House of Godly Gears), they are the Caretakers of the Hōgu (宝具, lit. "Treasure Tool") and Bugu (武具, lit. "War Tool") said to have been bestowed on them by the gods.

Kuchiki Clan

Kuchiki Family Emblem

There is reason to believe that the captaincy of the 6th Division runs in the Kuchiki family, as at least two members, both of them were family heads, have held the title captain and two other known members have been lieutenant and 3rd seat respectively. 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 Uzuginu (銀白風花の紗, 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. By tradition, the family has been charged with compiling and protecting the history of Soul Society. The family resides in the Kuchiki Family Manor.

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

Noble Houses
Parent House	Shihōin Clan
Family Head	Suì-Fēng
Family Seat	Seireitei, Soul Society
Affiliation	Onmitsukidō, 2nd Division, Gotei 13, Soul Society
Specialty	Assassination & Executions

Fēng Family

Traditionally serves the Shihōin family by joining the Onmitsukidō. The family makes its living as assassins and executioners. Any member who doesn't pass the test to get into the Onmitsukidō is immediately exiled from the family.

Notable Members

(† = confirmed death)

Fēng Family
Name	Title	Relation	Status
Suì-Fēng	9th Head of the Fēng Family	Granddaughter of Suì-Fēng	Active
Suì-Fēng	Noblewoman	Suì-Fēng's Grandmother	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

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	Active
Unnamed Mother	Lady of the Kyōraku Family	Mother of the Kyōraku Family	Active
Unnamed Brother	Nobleman	1st Son of the Kyōraku Family	Active
Shunsui Kyōraku	Nobleman	2nd Son of the Kyōraku Family	Active

Ukitake Family

A low-class aristocratic family.

(† = confirmed death)

Ukitake Family
Name	Title	Relation	Status
Jūshirō Ukitake	Head of the Ukitake Family	Oldest Brother of the Ukitake Siblings	Active
Unnamed Brother	Nobleman	Unnamed Younger Brother of Jūshirō	Active
Unnamed Brother	Nobleman	Unnamed Younger Brother of Jūshirō	Active
Unnamed Brother	Nobleman	Unnamed Younger Brother of Jūshirō	Active
Unnamed Brother	Nobleman	Unnamed Younger Brother of Jūshirō	Active
Unnamed Brother	Nobleman	Unnamed Younger Brother of Jūshirō	Active
Unnamed Sister	Noblewoman	Unnamed Younger Sister of Jūshirō	Active
Unnamed Sister	Noblewoman	Unnamed Younger Sister of Jūshirō	Active

Noble Houses
Parent House	Shihōin Clan
Family Head	Marenoshin Ōmaeda
Family Seat	Ōmaeda Manor, Seireitei, Soul Society
Affiliation	Onmitsukidō, 2nd Division, Gotei 13, Soul Society

Ōmaeda Family

An aristocratic, rich family. The family has a history of service in the Onmitsukidō.
(† = confirmed death)

Ōmaeda Family
Name	Title	Relation	Status
Marenoshin Ōmaeda	Head of the Ōmaeda Family	Father of the Ōmaeda Family	Active
Mareka Ōmaeda	Lady of the Ōmaeda Family	Mother of the Ōmaeda Family	Active
Marechiyo Ōmaeda	Nobleman	Oldest son of the Ōmaeda Family	Active
Maremi Ōmaeda	Noblewoman	Sister of the Marechiyo	Active
Marejirōsaburō Ōmaeda	Nobleman	Brother of the Marechiyo	Active
Mareyo Ōmaeda	Noblewoman	Sister of the Marechiyo	Active

Kira Family

A lesser noble family. The only known living member of the house is:

(† = confirmed death)

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

Kasumiōji Clan and Kannogi Family

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

Click "show" to read the information. 

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. The family is traditionally lead by a female.

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

Former Noble House

Shiba Clan

The family was apparently the 5th noble family, having prestige along the lines of the Kuchiki and Shihōin family. For an unknown reason, the Shiba family fell from their high status position after the death of its most prominent member, the former lieutenant of the 13th Division, Kaien Shiba. The family specializes in fireworks.

Appearance In Other Media

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.

Equipment

File:Shihoinshield.JPG

Ukitake holding the Shihōin Shield

• Shihōin Shield: 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.