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By Julian Lee
Like every other civilisation on Earth, Karakura has different classes of citizens. From the average civilian like you and me, to the high-flyers of society that reside in comfort with the lives they have built. Have you ever wondered who these high-flyers may be? They live among us, go to the same school as you do, frequent the same grocery stores, and live relatively similar lives to most of us. But what sets them apart? The answer is closer than what you think.
INFLUENTIAL FAMILIES IN KARAKURA
Written in legislation are the histories of families that have shaped the formation of Karakura, in more ways than one. From dated families that held political power over ruling Karakura, to modern families that hold soft power, influence over modern Karakura, influential families have been etched in history throughout Karakura’s establishment. Named in Karakura’s annals, the thirteen Itsbyoshi families were lineages that took power over the city through the Court of Itsbyoshi. These thirteen families ruled over 17th to 20th-century Karakura, and took charge over various sectors in Karakura. They are represented by various names, such as Saiky, that oversought the shrine, Takagi that managed education, and Masuo that controlled finances and the economy. Although many of their lineages are still around in Karakura, they do not hold as much power as they did in the past anymore.
In more recent times, during Karakura’s imperial era, various families also reigned over the city. Through indirect means, or brief periods of ruling, various households took control over the city. Though some of their names are now classified due to exilement, a few of their names still stand today. These include the Hishison of Shinboshi family, Moritachi of Seikatsu family, and notably, Heddo of Shinboshi and Kirishiki of Kaigan. Similar to the Itsbyoshi families, these households do not hold reign over the city anymore, but still continue to coexist among us.
MODERN TIMES
In the modern day and age, Karakura is not ruled over by a certain family line, like how monarchies do. Instead, Karakura is a democratic municipality, spearheaded by the Mayor in the Karakura Town Hall. However, political power is but a framework over it’s citizens. Various families still hold soft power over the city, influencing people in various means, social, economically, or financially.
Recently, ten families were named in the Karakura Archives, to have been determined of influential status. These families, named as the Ōgonshoku families, were granted titles, along with affirmation of their statuses in Karakura. Namely, these are the,
Another family among the list, the Maeng of Seikatsu, is a household with a strong social presence in Karakura.
I was fortunate to have a talk with Mr. Moriel Maeng and Mrs Irene Maeng of Seikatsu about their newfound statuses in Karakura. When asked about the reason behind their Ōgonshoku status, Mr. Moriel Maeng mentioned that it may have to do with the fact that since their anchoring on Karakura shores, they have had many family members involved in most of the occupational categories around Karakura. Not to mention, multiple relatives taking up positions in their academics, such as in sport teams. He claimed that their influence might be chalked up to their strong presence in town. Mr. Moriel Maeng mentioned that their several economic endeavors have also taken off, such as their family-branded soft drink (which I have come to realise is a lot more famous than I thought), Maeng Soda. As for their future ventures, it was not revealed to me. When asked about if their lives had changed significantly since their titles being bestowed, Mrs. Irene Maeng said that life has still been going on the same. All in all, being declared an Ōgonshoku has been largely ceremonial.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Being an influential family is more than just the title to some. To those in the families themselves, it comes with some benefits. With their status, these families may have advantages, such as being able to achieve stuff ahead of everyone else. As time passes, trends change, and so may some of the families’ influences over Karakura. In due time, the soft power of these families might change, and more households may be declared to be of influential status. Until then, we will never know.
Like every other civilisation on Earth, Karakura has different classes of citizens. From the average civilian like you and me, to the high-flyers of society that reside in comfort with the lives they have built. Have you ever wondered who these high-flyers may be? They live among us, go to the same school as you do, frequent the same grocery stores, and live relatively similar lives to most of us. But what sets them apart? The answer is closer than what you think.
INFLUENTIAL FAMILIES IN KARAKURA
Written in legislation are the histories of families that have shaped the formation of Karakura, in more ways than one. From dated families that held political power over ruling Karakura, to modern families that hold soft power, influence over modern Karakura, influential families have been etched in history throughout Karakura’s establishment. Named in Karakura’s annals, the thirteen Itsbyoshi families were lineages that took power over the city through the Court of Itsbyoshi. These thirteen families ruled over 17th to 20th-century Karakura, and took charge over various sectors in Karakura. They are represented by various names, such as Saiky, that oversought the shrine, Takagi that managed education, and Masuo that controlled finances and the economy. Although many of their lineages are still around in Karakura, they do not hold as much power as they did in the past anymore.
In more recent times, during Karakura’s imperial era, various families also reigned over the city. Through indirect means, or brief periods of ruling, various households took control over the city. Though some of their names are now classified due to exilement, a few of their names still stand today. These include the Hishison of Shinboshi family, Moritachi of Seikatsu family, and notably, Heddo of Shinboshi and Kirishiki of Kaigan. Similar to the Itsbyoshi families, these households do not hold reign over the city anymore, but still continue to coexist among us.
MODERN TIMES
In the modern day and age, Karakura is not ruled over by a certain family line, like how monarchies do. Instead, Karakura is a democratic municipality, spearheaded by the Mayor in the Karakura Town Hall. However, political power is but a framework over it’s citizens. Various families still hold soft power over the city, influencing people in various means, social, economically, or financially.
Recently, ten families were named in the Karakura Archives, to have been determined of influential status. These families, named as the Ōgonshoku families, were granted titles, along with affirmation of their statuses in Karakura. Namely, these are the,
- Akihito of Itsbyoshi
- Furukawa of Hokuseibu
- Maeng of Seikatsu
- Akiyama of Kaigan
- Nakazumi of Shinboshi
- Baek of Shinboshi
- Wong of Shinboshi
- Brown of Itsbyoshi
- Akai of Itsbyoshi
Another family among the list, the Maeng of Seikatsu, is a household with a strong social presence in Karakura.
I was fortunate to have a talk with Mr. Moriel Maeng and Mrs Irene Maeng of Seikatsu about their newfound statuses in Karakura. When asked about the reason behind their Ōgonshoku status, Mr. Moriel Maeng mentioned that it may have to do with the fact that since their anchoring on Karakura shores, they have had many family members involved in most of the occupational categories around Karakura. Not to mention, multiple relatives taking up positions in their academics, such as in sport teams. He claimed that their influence might be chalked up to their strong presence in town. Mr. Moriel Maeng mentioned that their several economic endeavors have also taken off, such as their family-branded soft drink (which I have come to realise is a lot more famous than I thought), Maeng Soda. As for their future ventures, it was not revealed to me. When asked about if their lives had changed significantly since their titles being bestowed, Mrs. Irene Maeng said that life has still been going on the same. All in all, being declared an Ōgonshoku has been largely ceremonial.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Being an influential family is more than just the title to some. To those in the families themselves, it comes with some benefits. With their status, these families may have advantages, such as being able to achieve stuff ahead of everyone else. As time passes, trends change, and so may some of the families’ influences over Karakura. In due time, the soft power of these families might change, and more households may be declared to be of influential status. Until then, we will never know.
