Primer: Four Noble Houses

Harotaissen Clan

Family Head: Harotaissen Tsuribakki (1st Division Captain-Commander)

Clan Structure: The head of the family is the individual who best embodies an idea that has been ingrained in the house for centuries: 'One who can protect the Tenchikaibyaku, the charge of the Harotaissen.' The most martially powerful member leads the clan.

Specialty: The Harotaissen are the keepers of the Tenchikaibyaku (Earthly and Heavenly Creations), a set of primordial artifacts that outline the duties of the Shinigami and the Gotei 13.

History/Details: Legend has it that the Harotaissen Clan has existed since the dawn of reality, tasked with protecting the Tenchikaibyaku: the tools used by the Gods to forge the Shinigami from the great void. There are no reliable records from that timeless era. These stories are generally taken with a grain of salt.

The incredibly influential clan has held impressive power for as long as the Seireitei has stood. There are reliable indications that their members helped create its massive walls, mining the white sekkisekki needed for its construction from their own family grounds. The evidence can be seen simply by looking: the Harotaissen Family Manor is located in the center of the only quarry known to contain that material, which has been transformed into a paradise of waterfalls cascading down the white stone walls.

They have held hundreds of seats within Central 46 over the annals of time. At the moment, they hold the second highest number of positions, with the Urawaase Clan claiming first. Although most of their members vote on matters in a way that promotes the sovereign power of the Gotei 13, they do have a couple of 'progressive' minds who are considered to be black sheep in their decision making. Almost all of them defend the actions of Tsuribakki, however.

Many of their members have risen to the heads of divisions thanks to their relatively high rate of Bankai capability, although that feature of their bloodline seems to have fallen to the wayside thanks to the pure potency of Harotaissen Tsuribakki. Although there have been a few of his clansmen within the Gotei 13 since his ascension to Captain-Commander, all have retired to family duties or have been absorbed into Central 46, leaving him the only member currently on active seated duty. 

Yorushi Clan

Family Head: Yorushi Niiro (Kidō Corps and 13th Division Captain)
Other Notable Members: Yorushi Oshimu (Kidō Corps and 13th Division Lieutenant)

Clan Structure: The head of the family is the Grandmaster of Kidō. A commune of five elders advises the family head on major decisions.

Specialty: The Yorushi are the creators, keepers, and teachers of the Kidō arts. They comprise the leaders of the Kidō Corps and the 13th Division.

History/Details: The Yorushi Clan are the ones responsible for the initial creation of Kidō. The legends told by historians claim that they coaxed the magic from the gods by devoting their lineage entirely to its study and protection. Whether or not these stories are true, the Yorushi bloodline has lived up to its supposed reputation by being the only ones with enough expertise to continually generate grandmaster after grandmaster.

This absolute dedication to the arts of Kidō caused them to create the Kidō Corps, a group of Shinigami spell-users, and absorb the 13th Division into their family. By tying themselves to the Gotei 13, they followed the example of the now-shamed Isseki Clan. The Yorushi Family managed to avoid the pitfalls of military control, however. Unlike the Isseki, they have retained an honored relationship with both the Gotei 13 and Central 46. They keep the duties of both stations well-separated.

While the Urawaase Clan might have more money and far more land, the Yorushi family has a manor that puts all others to shame. Acting as the 13th Division Headquarters, the serene clan estate contains revolutionary Kidō-based features that allow for floating lanterns, moving hallways, and scenic waterfalls that flow up into second-floor hot-spring baths. Many high-ranking officials pull favors to attend a reception in order to get a glimpse of the architecture.

Although there are relatively few members of the Yorushi Clan within the walls of Central 46, they maintain a standard presence and occupy a handful of seats. They do this mostly to satisfy their status as one of the Four Noble Houses, as they are far less interested in politics than the other three families. They generally vote in favor of increased education and continued peace.

Urawaase Clan

Family Head: Urawaase Sanji
Other Notable Members: Uraawase Senaka (8th Division Captain)

Clan Structure: Multiple bloodlines exist in the family, but only one is considered 'pure' in its ancestry. The eldest male member of this tree has control over the clan.

Specialty: The Urawaase are the primary land-owners in Rukongai. They are the keepers of the Sabure (Sand Tablet).

History/Details: Although many of the historical documents of the Urawaase family were destroyed in the Isseki Rebellion, the legends lived on through word-of-mouth and plain evidence. When Soul Society was formed, the first members took a pledge to protect the soil and plants for as long as their blood continued to flow. This transformed over the millennia into their ownership of a vast majority of Rukongai and the outlying districts.

Through their familial claim on land, businesses, and residences, the Urawaase Clan has attained far more physical wealth than any other family. They collect taxes and fees from anyone who lives on their property. So great is their wealth that all of the minor noble houses combined possess less than a third of their monetary power.

They are also heavily involved in the game of politics. While they do not possess a majority seating, which is forbidden in the Central 46, the Urawaase family rests on the edge of what is acceptable. They have a stronger voice in Soul Society government than any other family. Many liberal individuals detest this fact, claiming that their wide-spread tendency to protect their own interests puts much of Rukongai in a state of poverty. Urawaase Senaka, an outspoken member of the family and daughter of the clan's head, openly voices her opinions against the 'money-grabbing' ways of her own clan.

Despite having few Shinigami in their bloodline, the Urawaase family manages to hold a couple of seats throughout the Gotei 13. Most of them are assigned to Senaka's division in order to get the benefits and perks of working close to the privilege that they had grown up with. Their captain, however, makes sure that they do the work that their Shinigami status demands of them. To her, the notion of a free ride is pathetic and shortsighted.

Tensen Clan

Family Head: Tensen Satsu

Clan Structure: The head of the family is eldest female. This individual is known as the 'Matriarch' and has full control over all clan functions.

Specialty: The Tensen are the keepers of the Shinjinbukai Gyokuseki (Ten Godly Stones).

History/Details: Like the other great noble houses, the Tensen Clan can trace their history through legends to the dawn of Soul Society. The stories claim that they gave up their vast spiritual powers in order to hold the responsibility of guarding the Shinjinbukai Gyokuseki, which can be fatal to those with high levels of Reiryoku. It is said that these stones are pivotal to the continued existence of Soul Society.

Because of the legends, the Tensen Clan has retained their status as one of the most influential families. Their familial grounds are well-guarded, and they take their ancient charge seriously. Their manor is considered to be an impenetrable fortress. This was proven during the Isseki Rebellion, when the Tensen family managed to hold out against continuous assaults. This defense helped buy enough time for the insurrection to be put down.

Although their prime focus is towards the keeping of the Shinjinbukai Gyokuseki, a good deal of influential Tensen nobles fill the seats of Central 46. Their advice is highly sought after in times of war. Because of their solemn vow to protect and care for their relics, they often choose to vote and debate in favor of the Gotei 13, which has contributed in no small part to the increasing power of the divisions.

Whether or not the origin story of the clan is true, there remains a peculiar void of Shinigami in the Tensen family. Not a single spiritually capable member has ever been recorded. While this allows them to safely handle their artifacts, it makes their personal guard rather weak. This is why they rely on the Gotei 13 and the strength of their manor walls for protection.