Heian Period Social Hierarchy (Ritsuryo) - Male Court Rankings
(The chart is easiest to read from left to right.)
During the Heian period, Japanese society was divided into two broad social classes: the lower classes (senmin) and upper classes (ryoumin). Within the senmin class, there are five sub-classes.
The highest of the lower classes, the ryouko, are dedicated servant families to the Imperial family, often as the guards of Imperial tombs. They would be serving individuals with the rank of Emperor, Crown Prince, and Prince. Underneath are the kanko, who were families dedicated to running the public ministries too menial for the ryoumin. Beneath them were the kenin, who were often the servants of high-ranking families beneath the Imperial family, who would be of the First to Ninth Ranks. Under them are the kunuhi, families whose members were hereditary slaves to the Imperial Court or the Public Ministries. Lastly, the shinuhi are families whose members were hereditary slaves to families of the ryoumin classes.
The majority of what is known about the Heian period is known about the ryoumin, or upper, classes. The lowest of the upper classes, the zakko, are miscellaneous houses of nobles or former nobles. The shinabe were the craftsmen and artisans. Koumin were the average free citizens of the realm. Kanjin are the government officials who possess one of the nine Heian court ranks. Lastly, at the top of the pyramid, is the kouzoku, which is the proper name for Emperor and his extended family and concubines.
The chart begins to expand with the kanjin class. Broadly speaking, the majority of these class members can be classified as kuge, or aristocrats. However, they are generally divided into 3 classes of kuge. Kuge who possess court ranks nine (a.k.a. initial rank) to six are called jige, or menial aristocrats. In the eyes of most kuge, the jige aren’t considered actual members of the nobility. The offices to which members of the jige ranks are assigned are largely empty, ceremonial positions with little to no real impact on the happenings within the Imperial Court.
Courtiers holding the fifth and fourth ranks are called tsuki, or lesser aristocrats. Among the kuge, they are considered true nobles, but of houses of lesser importance. These courtiers are known as those with “court access” because they regularly appear at all major court events. Their ranks are also tasked with real jobs that have regular impact within the Imperial Court. The kizoku, or true aristocrats, are the highest ranking nobles under the Imperial family and exclusively possess court ranks from three to one. These ranks populate the highest levels of the government bureaucracy and these families are often minor branch families of the Imperial family line.
Under the Court Ranks & Positions, it details all the positions at court along with the colors that they would have worn on their “ho,” or outer robe, of their “sokutai,” or full court dress ensemble, or of their “ikan,” or informal court dress ensemble. The Japanese name is of each color is in parenthesis.
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Hope you're ready for your otome game to bring up the themes of the relationship between the individual and state, and state sanctioned violence & order vs. vigilante justice, because this man's gonna give it to you:
The route follows after Twilight Faction common route (Book 1), which I assume you would have already known/read. The MC will just be called MC instead of Futaba (default name) to make it simpler.
To recap, the common route ends with the Senkitai attacking some sort of government meeting, with the Onikiri and our protags fighting them off. The Senkitai knock MC unconscious, and then take off. Aizen tries to shoot them down, but they got away.
The ayakashi are concerned and immediately wants to take off after the Senkitai. Aizen tells them not to be rash, because there’s too many unknown factors. He wanted to withdraw and reorganize a new plan. Toto and Gaku especially are not having it, and says that it might be too late for MC if they have to go back and redraw the plans. So they all ignore Aizen’s words and go after the Senkitai. Ouji hangs back for a little while to use his smoke to subdue the feral ayakashi and then run after the others.
Aizen gives the order to Ichijou to take the ayakashi bundled in Ouji’s smoke to the labs. Ichijou is shocked but obey. Side note: In the Night faction common route, Aizen claims that normally the Onikiri will just release the ayakashi they find back to the wild. I’m not sure if this scene shows that this is not normal, hence why Ichijou is shocked, or if this is a retcon because of the writers being disorganized. This is never ever addressed or explained in the route, so I mention this now because it’s not like I’m spoiling anything.
Aizen sends his dove shikigami out “after them”.
The scene then cuts to Kagemaru. Aizen’s gunshots had nicked Zantetsu in the shoulder. Because it’s the anti-ayakashi ironsand bullet, his powers are drained and he can’t use his whirlwind anymore. He and Kagemaru are forced to walk.
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rereading a millennium to you for the hundredth time to make sure my writing isn't too far off. man i forgot how fucking good this event is, it's everything i couldve asked for an anniversary💔💔💔
only negative thing i have to say is that i wanted the past-life counterparts to have WAYYY more screentime (unrealistic but pls we're starved for content for them in the main stories) and nachis lil "your past friends seemed really nice huh? :)" why i oughta... (lovingly)
Come to think of it, Kagemaru uses both "she/her" and "he/his," right? If so, does that mean he's a Genderfluid?
Also, I saw Kagemaru being very possessive/affectionate towards Akiyasu. I don't know if I'm imagining it, but sometimes it goes beyond just being friends.
If that's the case, then Kagemaru is bi-genderfluid, right?
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I've wondered if during the 1,000 years between the Heian period and the Meiji period, if the boys had some kind of incarnation they don't remember. It makes sense since a thousand years is a VERY long time. Long enough for any of them to have some past life after the one where they met Futaba's past self. It would make some interesting stories. Like if one day an old ayakashi approaches Kuya and mistakes him for a previous incarnation. I can imagine the drama and angst that would cause.
This is a fan-teanslation so expect some misspelling and misinformation here and there, this the first time I translate something THIS big so bear with me ... Each post will be 2 chapter until I finish because I can't post all chapters in one post or Tumblr might die on me ...
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Futaba: "Whether someone is human or Ayakashi doesn't matter—Koga, you and your father both believe that, don't you? Kiryu has always denied that."
Koga: "…"
Futaba: "He wants to make you feel, with your entire being, that the conviction you both share was a mistake— I think he’s trying to take the resentment he should have directed at your father and take it out on you instead. Maybe that’s why he went out of his way to appear in your 'Oni' form."
Koga: "…"
Koga is listening intently to what I have to say, as if lost in thought.
Futaba: "If his goal is to isolate you from humans by framing you as an 'Oni'... The incident in Asakusa was likely just the beginning. I believe similar things will keep happening from now on."
(That's why...)
I took a breath and spoke from the bottom of my heart.
Futaba: "That’s why I will catch the real culprit. I will protect you in the Capital, Koga."
Koga: "Futaba……"
(—Ah)
I was startled when I saw Koga's eyes widen.
Futaba: "No, um... I didn't mean just by myself! I'm planning to ask Toichiro and the others for help too..."
I hurriedly mumbled an addition, feeling embarrassed that I had spoken so boldly, as if I could solve everything alone.
However, Koga looked at me and his brow softened slightly.
Koga: "…You really are strong, Futaba."
Futaba: "…Koga."
Koga: "I understand. I'll leave the Capital to you. But, don't do anything reckless."
Futaba: "—Yes!"
I nodded firmly at Koga's words.
Koga: "Kiryu's objective is likely exactly what you said. And apparently, there's a rumor among some of the Ayakashi that I'm selling them out to the government."
Futaba: "Selling Ayakashi...?"
Koga: "Basically, it’s not just humans—the Ayakashi want to make me look like the villain, too."
Koga stopped talking for a moment, and his eyes suddenly took on a distant look.
Koga: "...No matter how much Kiryu hates my old man, taking it out on me isn't going to change a thing. Because my old man... he's not even around anymore."
Futaba: "...Koga..."
My heart aches seeing Koga with such a lonely look in his eyes.
(...You're right.)
(I feel like hating someone who isn't even here anymore is just... so empty.)
(Even if you directed that hatred elsewhere, it would only lead to more people getting hurt unnecessarily—)
(And the person doing the hating would probably never truly find peace in their heart, either.)
When I instinctively looked down and fell silent, Koga rested his elbows on his knees and leaned in, tilting his head to look into my face.
Koga: "But... You know? You're more level-headed about this than I thought."
Futaba: "Huh?"
Koga: "I totally thought you’d try to stop me from going to Kobe."
As he said that, Koga brought his face right up to mine.
Koga: "I'm going to feel lonely being away from you."
Futaba: ".....! W-well, I feel the same way!"
Startled by what he said, I looked at him in a hurry.
Futaba: "I'll be lonely, and I'm worried... honestly, I want to be with you every single moment and never leave your side. But right now, this isn't the time for me to be selfish like that..."
Koga: "I know."
Koga laughed and gave my hair a messy rub.
Koga: "I'm relieved to hear you feel that way, too."
Futaba: "Koga..."
Gazing at his smile, I gathered my courage and opened my mouth to speak.
Futaba: "......Um,”
(It’s embarrassing to say something like this...)
Futaba: "If... if it's alright with you, Koga—!"
My words were cut off by Koga’s kiss.
Koga: "...Is it okay if I stay with you until morning?"
(......I was thinking the exact same thing.)
Koga’s gentle gaze and voice made my chest tighten with a sweet ache.
Futaba: "Ah, ha… —Mmm."
Before I could even finish nodding, Koga’s lips covered mine again.
Futaba: "Mm, Koga......"
Koga: "Futaba......"
The kiss grew deeper, and I was slowly pushed down onto the bed.
Koga: "....."
(Ah...)
I looked up to see Koga looking down at me with feverish eyes.
Futaba: "...Koga, please make sure you take the sachet with you."
Koga: "Yeah. I won't let it leave my side for even a moment."
Koga reached out and turned off the lamp on the side table.
Futaba: "Nn..."
The kissing resumed, and in an instant, I was swallowed up by that heat.
(...I will never, no matter what happens, leave Koga's side.)
As if to pour all my feelings into it, I wrapped my arms around Koga’s back.
Koga: "Futaba...... I love you. As long as you are here, I will return safely."
Futaba: "Yes...... I know."
We kissed repeatedly as if confirming each other's presence, exchanging whispers in between—
(...This is the Koga I love so much.)
Wanting to engrave that feeling into my very soul, I desperately responded to his kisses.
Koga: "...Don't make such a cute face. It makes my resolve waver."
Futaba: "And don't you look at me like that—Ngh, mm."
The sweet kiss makes it hard to breathe, and I can't think of anything but Koga.
(...Koga)
(Please, stay safe—)
Feeling as if both my body and soul were melting, I simply surrendered myself to the heat radiating from Koga.
—The next morning.
(Mmm...)
(—Wait, where's Koga?)
When I woke up, Koga, who was supposed to be sleeping next to me, was gone.
(Wait, did he leave already!?)
I hurriedly got dressed and rushed to the living room.
Futaba: "Good morning."
In the living room, there was Toichiro, fully dressed, and—
(Oh...)
Koga was there, sitting across from him and talking.
Toichiro: “Ah, good morning."
Koga: "Morning."
The two of them noticed me and turned around with a smile.
(That's right... he did say he was heading to Kobe tonight.)
I felt a wave of relief, having worried for a moment that I might have missed the chance to say goodbye.
—Click (sound of a door opening)
Shizuki: "Good morning, Mistress Futaba. I've brought the morning tea. Is milk tea alright with you?"
Futaba: "Ah... yes."
Toichiro: "Well, come over here and take a seat first."
As I sat on the sofa, Koga spoke to me as if to confirm something.
Koga: "You're planning on going back home for a bit today, right?"
Futaba: "Yes, that's the plan. I did send a message yesterday, but I don't think that explanation alone is enough..."
I had intended to return home once while it was still light out to explain the situation to my father and the others.
Koga: "Normally, I'm the one who should go and explain, but… It would be a problem if someone saw me and might cause an even bigger scene."
Saying that, Koga took an envelope out from his clothes.
Koga: "I wrote a letter to Mr. Mototaka. Sorry to ask, but could you deliver it for me?"
Futaba: "...I understand."
(Koga hasn't done anything wrong… Why does he have to hide and move around like a real criminal?)
Regret and sadness flood my heart all at once, and I feel overwhelmed with helplessness.
Koga: "Don't make a face like that. It's only for now. Also, I'm going to have Toichiro go with you to your house."
Futaba: "Eh?"
Toichiro: "After all, I am taking charge of being the young lady's bodyguard."
(Toichiro… He is one of my father’s clients, so I'm grateful to have him help explain things.)
Futaba: ".....Thank you. I appreciate it."
Toichiro: "Yeah."
Koga: "Well then, now that we've settled that..."
Koga stood up slowly.
Koga: "I should get going soon.”
Futaba: "What!? You’re leaving at already...?"
Koga: "Well, there are a lot of things I need to get done before then. I’ve got to find a way to wrap up my work business, too."
(Ah... I see.)
(Since he’s leaving the Capital for a while, he has to think about his work, too.)
Then, Shizuki, who had been watching Koga, quietly interjected.
Shizuki: "...Master Koga, are you truly going to Kobe all by yourself?"
Koga: "Yeah. In that case, I’m sorry, but as for what comes next—"
—Click (Door opening)
Kuya: "I'm going too."
Interrupting Koga’s words was a listless voice that could be heard the moment the door opened.
(......!)
Everyone turned toward the voice at once—
Kuya: "Yawn..."
Kuya, who was standing in front of the door, let out a yawn.
Standing by the door, Kuya said, "I'll go to Kobe with you."
Kuya: "Koga, you’ll just do something reckless if you're on your own."
Koga: "Kuya, you..."
Shizuki: "...I suppose so. It’s just as Master Kuya says."
Toichiro: "True, it would be more reassuring for someone to be with him. Especially in Koga's case."
(Toichiro and the others are worried about Koga, too.)
(They call it an "inseparable bond," but there's no doubt they really care about each other.)
Futaba: "Kuya, I'm counting on you."
Kuya: "Yeah."
Koga: "Hey, hey, don't just decide things on your own..."
Koga scratched his head awkwardly, then looked at Kuya.
Koga: "It takes over half a day to get to Kobe by train, you know."
Kuya: "What? That's long..."
Koga: "We're using a carriage as well so we don't stand out, so the trip will take a full day."
Kuya: "Oh man..."
(He looks like he's already regretting saying he'd go.)
Kuya thought for a moment, then looked up with a resigned expression.
Kuya: "...Fine, whatever. I’ll just sleep the whole way anyway."
Toichiro: "Then it’s settled—Kuya will be Koga's handler."
Koga: "Good grief... fine."
Koga accepted it somewhat reluctantly, then looked at me and smiled.
Koga: "Well, I'm off."
Futaba: "Take care, Koga."
(I hope they make it back safely.)
With that prayer in my heart, I saw Koga and Kuya off.
After parting ways with them, I headed toward my house with Toichiro.
Futaba: "I wonder what's written in the letter from Koga to my father?"
Toichiro: "Ah, I know the contents. I believe it was an explanation regarding the Asakusa incident and something about your future.”
According to Toichiro, the Asakusa incident was a setup orchestrated by someone to frame Koga.
Toichiro: "‘We have a lead on the mastermind. Since they are aware of my existence, I will go into hiding at Toichiro’s house for a while.’"
That is apparently what was written in the letter.
Toichiro: "Explaining the details too thoroughly would only increase your father's anxiety, so I've kept the information about Kiryu hidden. I just hope this is enough to convince him."
(It’s true that he might understand the incident itself, but...)
Futaba: "Um... Toichiro."
I decided to tell Toichiro what had been weighing on my mind.
Futaba: "To be honest, I'm also worried about leaving my father and Nachi at home. I'm afraid they might try to do something to my family too."
Toichiro: "Koga has already taken care of that."
Futaba: "Eh?"
Toichiro: "It seems the Onikiri will be guarding your family."
Futaba: "...! The Onikiri?"
Toichiro: "I don't know how Koga negotiated it, but for now, they are supposedly on our side. They’ll be patrolling the area around your house and providing an escort when necessary."
Futaba: "I see..."
(Maybe Koga asked them for this favor when he was alone with Aizen?)
Toichiro: "There was the option of having your father and the cat come to my house, but… That would restrict your lives too much and be quite inconvenient. So, it was decided that relying on the Onikiri was the better move."
Futaba: "...I suppose you're right."
(If the soldiers from the Onikiri are there, I can breathe a little easier.)
Toichiro: "Though, the extent of the protection still needs to be discussed with Mr. Mototaka. Koga wants you to live as normal a life as possible. Besides, Koga believes that the Kiryu Trading Company is unlikely to make contact with your father."
Considering their past movements and Kiryu's goals, it seemed unlikely they would target someone specific to cause harm— Rather, it was more likely they would cause a major incident targeting an unspecified large number of people.
Toichiro: "Well, you are the exception. Kiryu has contacted you multiple times, and the culprit has recognized you."
Futaba: "Yes…”
Toichiro: "I'm just asking to be sure, but you didn't happen to do anything in Asakusa to earn the culprit's resentment, did you?"
Futaba: “… Um…”
Fake Koga: "......I am me. I am stronger than anyone."
Futaba: "...No, you're wrong. Koga is much stronger."
Fake Koga: "...! I am...... strong......!”
(I wonder…… about that?)
I'm not sure if I'd call it resentment, but I have a feeling I may have provoked the culprit.
Futaba: "…"
Toichiro: "By the look of things, you have an idea of what happened then?"
Toichiro let out an exaggerated sigh, as if he couldn't believe it.
Toichiro: "That's so like you. You never fail to meet my expectations."
Futaba: "…S-Sorry. Um, Toichiro, thank you so much for everything."
Toichiro: "Well, it's fine."
With that, Toichiro turned his gaze out the window with a meaningful look.
Toichiro: "…Besides, there are things I'm curious about as well."
(……?)
Futaba: “what does that mean…"
Toichiro: "We've finally arrived."
Toichiro told the driver to stop the carriage, cutting off what I wanted to ask.
Arriving home, I hand the letter from Koga to my father.
Mototaka: "…"
After Father finished reading the letter, he let out a heavy sigh.
Mototaka: "…Things have become quite serious, haven't they?"
Futaba: "Yeah…"
Mototaka: "Ever since I learned about the incident in Asakusa from the newspaper, I've had a feeling that the culprit wasn't the young Kitamikado."
(Thank goodness, Father believes in Koga too.)
Nachi: "But still..."
Unusually, Nachi looks at me and Toichiro with a lack of his usual energy.
Nachi: "Is the Oni doing alright? Since we know about Ayakashi and Onmyoji, we can guess that someone just transformed into him... but for a normal human, it’s not like that, right?"
Futaba: "Yeah..."
I remember the liquor store owner who shielded me in Asakusa.
Nachi: "I’ve been worried since the incident, too. I went out into the city in my cat form to check things out… It seems there are a fair amount of people—mostly those who actually saw the Asakusa incident—who believe that Oni actually did it."
Toichiro: "We'll just have to deal with that part gradually as we go."
Toichiro answers Nachi’s words bluntly and then looks toward Father.
Toichiro: "For the time being, until things are settled, I was wondering if you would allow me to keep the Young Lady at my house."
Mototaka: "I see..."
Toichiro: "It’s alright. Both hizuki and I are quite skilled, after all. Whether the opponent is an Ayakashi or an Onmyoji, I will protect Futaba."
Mototaka: "...Thank you. I’m counting on you."
Toichiro: "Also, there is talk of assigning Army soldiers to you, Mr. Mototaka. What do you think?"
Mototaka: "..."
Father puts his hand to his chin and sinks into thought at Toichiro's offer.
Mototaka: "...Since things have come to this, it's not just us who are in danger anymore. Is the army going to patrol the Capital again?"
Toichiro: "Yes, that is the plan, from what I’ve heard."
Mototaka: "In that case, it would be enough if they could just patrol around the house at that time."
Father looked down at Koga’s letter, then raised his head once more.
Mototaka: "To let our daily lives change because of a criminal is like being played right into their hands. I’m sure the young Kitamikado wouldn't want that either."
(Father...)
It seemed Father also understood Koga’s feelings, which I had heard about from Toichiro in the carriage.
(...I’m so glad that my father is who he is.)
Toichiro nodded, as if he truly understood Father's heart.
Toichiro: "I understand. I will pass that along to the army."
Nachi: "It's okay! I'll be the one to protect dad!"
Mototaka: "Thank you, Nachi. You're very reliable."
Father smiled, then turned back to Toichiro and bowed his head.
Mototaka: "Please, take good care of my daughter."
Toichiro: "Yes. I will certainly take her into my care."
And so, it was officially decided that I would be staying at Toichiro’s house.
One of my favorite choices is whether to click the left or the right mouse button. Once I have made my decision, I don’t want to hold down a key or do anything else, I only want to click. It makes me happy.
They would be SO good platonically. They would be so good dying in each other's arms, confessing how much they mean to each other as they bleed out on the dirt. They would be so good sharing trauma and figuring out their weird issues and relationships, knowing that they have each other to rely on when all else goes to hell. Their souls would be bound. They are the same creature, built apart miles and miles away, and yet eternally connected. They would see through each other's eyes. They would share each other's minds. They would go through hell and back just to keep the other happy, safe, and sane.
And at the end of the day? They don't marry each other. They don't date. Because they are friends.
“I’ve never seen you around before… Did you just move to the capital?”
Those were the first words the young man in a vivid crimson kimono spoke as he greeted the orange-haired girl amidst the bustling festival crowd.
“Y—Yeah…”
The girl answered shyly. It was the first time she had ever spoken to a stranger around her own age in the capital.
“Are you lost?”
He asked, concern evident in his voice.
“I—I was so busy looking at the carp streamers… that I kind of wandered off…”
“Hah… hahaha.”
Unable to hold it back, the young man let out a quiet laugh at her honest answer.
“So this is your first time at this festival, huh?”
“Perfect! Then I’ll show you around today~”
Before she could even respond, he grabbed her hand and started leading her deeper into the festival without asking for her opinion.
The girl hurried after him as he wove through the lively crowd. Above their heads, colorful carp streamers danced gently in the spring breeze.
Along the way, the young man kept trying to start conversations, hoping to ease her nervousness. Every so often, he would glance back to make sure she was still following.
“By the way, what’s your name?”
“Akane.”
“Akane… That’s a lovely name.”
“Th—Thank you. Um… what’s your name?”
The young man paused for a brief moment, caught off guard that the timid-looking girl had asked him the same question so quickly.
“Koga.”
“Kitamikado Koga.”
He answered with a cheerful smile.
After that, their conversation continued naturally as they strolled through the festival, neither of them realizing that this small encounter was only the beginning of their story.
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This is going around again in otome circles, but I noticed the one that was shared with me had two characters with the same voice actor sharing a row. So I got an idea.... and....
