Official LORE | Karakura's Influential Families

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Throughout Karakura’s history, families have risen to power with conflicts, arguing and waging wars against each other to gain control. In recent years, these conflicts turned from direct physical wars to economic and social control of the island. Four types of influential families reside in Karakura today: Itsbyoshi, Monogatarihito, Ōgonshoku, and Suguretachi.

Itsbyoshi​

200 years in the timeline of Karakura were given their own title, the Kyōdaina Era. These years ranged between the 1680s to the1880s and were considered a golden age in Karakura. Kyōdaina marked the greatest heights the Itsbyoshi ever reached and was an age of glory and gold. Thirteen families came to power during this time and they were as followed: Nashima, Kaseya, Kato, Saiky, Otori, Takagi, Tsukasa, Mizukawa, Kaeda, Ichikawa, Yagi, Koji, and Masuo. Karakura’s political, social, and governmental decisions were made under the Court of Itsbyoshi up until the Early Showa Era before the Government of Karakura was established. Even though the court was abolished, the Itsbyoshi held major influence and snuck their way into the town hall. The four elected governors were all part of the Itsbyoshi, and they were: Chizuru Kato, Murasaki Kaeda, Han Mizukawa, and Tetsuya Otori.

The Itsbyoshi begins with the tale of Tsugumi Kaseya, nicknamed the Mother of Karakura, for she had arranged several marriages of her children and grandchildren with members of other Karakuran prominent families. This sparked the beginning of the Itsbyoshi of Karakura, the children of Tsugumi Takagi. Tsugumi had her own haunting fable, a story stored in the Hut of Takagi, high up in the range of Kohaku, yet her descendants continued and thrived.

The name Itsbyoshi comes from the forest of Itsbyoshi, south of Ochiba, where the Kaseya Castle and Saiky Palace were located. Soon enough, the surrounding forest became the home to the other families, with lush gardens and marvellous buildings being built.

Half a century after Tsugumi’s demise, the Itsbyoshi patriarchs formed a court, the Court of Itsbyoshi, and it ruled the island with might. Due to their diverse qualities and skills, each family took charge of a specific sector on the island:

1. Nashima † - Weaponry
2. Kaseya - Justice
3. Kato †- Foreign Relations
4. Saiky - Shrine
5. Otori - Martial Arts
6. Takagi - Education
7. Tsukasa - Hunting
8. Mizukawa - Fishing
9. Kaeda - Foraging
10. Ichikawa - Healing/Health
11. Yagi - Agriculture and Arts
12. Jinn † - Underground Enforcement
13. Masuo - Economy and Finance

It was only in 1682 that the Itsbyoshi finally held a firm grasp on the island. Imperial Japan only helped instigate the ruling of aristocracy and for the next 200 years, Karakura bowed before them in the Kyōdaina Era. Though many believed the Itsbyoshi were corrupt and cruel like today’s Ōgonshoku, they were nothing as such. The infrastructure of Karakura was put in place and proper rules were established. The art and culture of Karakura sparkled in the eyes of Honshu and its cities, whilst the rest of the Izu archipelago basked in the presence of the Itsbyoshi.

In 1868, Emperor Meiji arrived with his western regime, establishing decrees that angered the Itsbyoshi. In order to remain in power, the Itsbyoshi publicly were abiding the new regime, yet in secrecy they despised it. To restrict any westernization to the Shinsei Seinaru Monastery, the Itsbyoshi forbid any western or victorian looking individual from entering, in addition to the forest itself. Any individual caught on the grounds of Itsbyoshi or Shinsei Seinaru was to be arrested. Karakura being Karakura, of course, loved the westernized change, but its rulers weren’t so keen on the idea.

The Itsbyoshi weren’t only hit by the Meiji rule, but they were also hit by an inner betrayal. The Nashima Clan wasn’t using the weaponry for the greater good as it turned out. In fact, they were utilizing the weapons to spread corruption, and when found out, they fled the island. The betrayal of the Nashima Clan caused an ever-lasting scar on the Itsbyoshi and Karakura. With the betrayal, the influence of the Itsbyoshi weakened.

With a declining reputation and a demand for freedom by the people of Karakura, the Itsbyoshi had no choice but to disband the court; however, their influence remained strong during government elections to the point that the four governors elected were all part of the Itsbyoshi.

The reputation of the Itsbyoshi in modern days is incomparable to its Kyōdaina days. Although, their involvement and influence remain present and sometimes even noticeable. Due to the instability of the Izu island, Karakura’s power fluctuates between different families, individuals, and organizations; though, you’ll always see the Itsbyoshi’s name written in history somehow.

Monogatarihito
Unlike Itsbyoshi families that had an 'Imperial' rule over Karakura, Monogatarihito were families that influenced Karakura indirectly or had a small moment of ruling. Only three have been classified in history and they are the Hishison, Moritachi, and Heddo families. The Hishison were known for having a large governmental saying for Tsubasa, being always elected to represent the small settlement during court procedures, with a minor rule during the early Edo Period. The Moritachi and Heddo families were known simply for attending court procedures and having a say within the vicinity of the town.

Ōgonshoku ​

Only few families were able to hold the title Ōgonshoku; Akihito and 2 names many have forgotten. While all the other families are native to Karakura, Akihito is not, as they migrated to the island a few years prior. Ōgonshoku families are families that are non-native to Karakura and have had an influence that will last for decades to come.

Who knows, maybe you can be Karakura's next Ōgonshoku?

Suguretachi
[REDACTED] - Unknown?