MRWETHERB
Level 6
With the rising tensions of Mayor Katsuhito Saiky-Akihito’s consistent and controversial actions, the Lord Mayor might act again.
In October of this year, the Itsbyoshi Council made the formal decision to cut the Koji Family from the Court and strip Bao Koji of his lordship. The dismantlement of the Kojis from the Itsbyoshi Council has divided those Karakurans invested in the city’s politics, as many wonder whether or not the Family was deserving of its pardon.
Historically, the Koji Family has stirred their own contention even as they rose to power within Karakura’s elite after the death of Mayor Alex Koji in 2022, and the legality of some political performance has left them vulnerable to open judgment from the people of Karakura for years. Furthermore, the family has been openly against many of the mayoral rulings decided by Saiky-Akihito, which might have contributed to their removal.
Despite their early contributions to the city, the Kojis have also publicly been noted for snubbing the city’s ancient traditions or even acting against the Itsbyoshi Court through siding with reformist anti-government factions.
According to the Koji Family, however, their excommunication with the Itsbyoshi Council was too sudden and has left them hurt.
“[Katsuhito Saiky-Akihito] did not give any reasoning nor warning to his actions towards us,” said Inara A.S. Koji. “He didn’t even want to marry me and Mr. [Kaito] Koji even before he made his announcement.”
Lady Koji herself spoke on behalf of the Family in an interview regarding their recent removal. Notwithstanding the Family’s controversy, though, some defend the Koji title in the face of the Itsbyoshi Council and others even argue against the pressure put upon the Lord Mayor. The Court has made clear that although he is not the sole leader of Karakura, any of his words reflect that of the Court, which places high expectations upon him from all Itsbyoshi families.
The Itsbyoshi Council’s reasons for the Kojis’ removal is clear: Sir Koji’s alleged disloyalty to the government, as well as the disrespect toward the Shinsei Seinaru Monastery. Are these the Lord Mayor’s reasons, though? Or, perhaps, has he only given in to his Court’s orders to maintain the Son of Karakura title?
Regardless, the Koji Family are less than pleased, but Bao Koji has chosen to respect the decision until there might eventually be some sway.
“I do, however, believe that the mayor could change his heart. Us Kojis do not want any of this to be happening,” I. Koji said. “But Sir [Bao] Koji and this whole family should still have the honorable role. We have served this city and we deserve some respect.”
M. Di Maiori
‘Now, my article topic is somewhere around ‘prominent families.’ The Kojis have certainly always been such, been even more now. Would you mind explaining to me the exact lowdown as to what happened between your Family and the Itsbyoshi Council?’
Inara A.S. Koji
‘To be fair, I have been involved with the Koji Family for some years now. But, sadly, I am not one to get involved in whatever the government is doing nowadays. It does seem though that Sir Koji cares for what this city stands for. We all want some peace. And to be fair it seemed out of the blue what the mayor had said.’
M. Di Maiori
‘Would you agree that Mayor Saiky-Akihito’s announcement about your Family is uncalled for? Sudden?’
Inara A.S. Koji
‘I believe so. He did not give any reason nor warning to his actions towards us. He didn’t even want to marry me and Mr. Koji even before he made his announcement. I do, however, believe that the mayor could change his heart. Us Kojis do not want any of this to be happening. We are all citizens of this town. But, Sir Koji and this whole family should still have the honorable role. We have served this city. We deserve some respect. And this, what the mayor has done – has shown disrespect towards our name. This will not be tolerated.’
M. Di Maiori
‘Is there any action your Family plans on taking to revert the change, or do you only wish Katsuhito would change his mind?’
Inara A.S. Koji
‘I would hope there will be a civil conversation at the least. I have no idea what plans Sir Koji has or has had. But, I believe no matter what, he will make a good decision.’
M. Di Maiori
‘I noticed you named him Sir Koji and not Lord. I understand you have been cut from Itsbyoshi, but do you believe he still deserves his Lord title, and for the public to still call him that?’
Inara A.S. Koji
‘I call him Sir Koji under his orders. He is respecting the Mayor for now. I do, however, still greatly agree he deserves his lordship back. He served the city and did his time honorably. He is a respectable man. And I have so much loyalty to him and the entire Koji Family.’
M. Di Maiori
‘I believe that is all I had to ask. Thank you, Mrs. Koji, for your time.’
Inara A.S. Koji
‘Thank you for having me.’
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