Why are the Three Prefectures in Rani City in Genshin Impact so Unequal in Status?
In the game’s Rani City in Genshin Impact, there are three prefectures under the command of General Lei: the Shū Prefecture led by the Shimari family, the Kanseki Prefecture led by the Hi no Hana family, and the Tenryū Prefecture led by the Kujira family. In historical context, these correspond to the three prefectures in the Tokugawa shogunate: the Shrine Prefecture, the Enforcement Prefecture, and the Town Prefecture.
The illustration shows the three prefectures in the game. The Shimari family, leading the Shū Prefecture, holds the highest status among the three prefectures. Even compared to the other two prefectures, the Shimari family still maintains a higher status. Historically, the Shrine Prefecture was held by members of the shōdai daimyōs (successor daimyōs), while the Enforcement Prefecture and the Town Prefecture were held by members of the kuge (court nobility). The Shrine Prefecture also served as a stepping stone for promotion to the highest position in the shogunate, the “old middle” (ōsakan), which was reserved for daimyōs of higher rank. In contrast, the Enforcement Prefecture and the Town Prefecture were typically held by kuge of higher rank.
The Shrine Prefecture is responsible for administrative and judicial matters concerning shrines and temples, as well as judicial proceedings in areas outside of the Edo region. Thus, in the game, where islands represent historical outposts such as Nagasaki, the Shimari family still theoretically has the authority to intervene in civil litigation.
Generally, a shōdai daimyō aiming to become an “old middle” (ōsakan) must first pass through a series of steps: the Kuge Prefecture → the Shrine Prefecture → Ifu no shōshi → Osaka Prefecture → the Kyoto City Commissioner. Most “old middles” in reality were promoted from the Kyoto City Commissioner.
The illustration shows the Kujira family, who lead the Tenryū Prefecture, in addition to their prefectural duties, also hold military positions (bun). Historically, the Tenryū Prefecture in the Edo shogunate was the Town Prefecture of Edo, responsible for administering and judicial matters in the northern and southern districts of Edo, or managing the local far-off prefectures under the Tenryū Prefecture, and overseeing the enforcement prefecture. In the game, the Kujira family members oversee the Tenryū Prefecture in Rani City. In reality, given that the Enforcement Prefecture and the far-off prefectures are administrative positions held by members of higher-ranking kuge families, and due to the need to command subordinates, they are typically held by members of the higher-ranking kuge families. Additionally, due to the long period of peace under the Tokugawa shogunate, the shogunate’s guards were akin to a repository for only those kuge families with prestigious lineage.
The illustration shows the Hi no Hana family, who lead the Enforcement Prefecture. Their lineage is not inferior to that of the higher-ranking kuge families such as the Greater Head of the Kuge and the Second Head of the Kuge. In terms of power, the Hi no Hana family holds the upper hand. In the game, the Hi no Hana family head opposes his granddaughter marrying the second son of the Tenryū Prefecture, Hi no Hana family, due to their social status. Even as an outside daimyō, relying on the family’s status as a kuge with a close relationship to the shogunate, the Hi no Hana family’s second son is still considered a second choice in marriage. From the perspective of the Tenryū Prefecture, if the Hi no Hana family is not considered a local daimyō, their lineage in terms of being a lower-ranking kuge family is still superior to the Enforcement Prefecture. The Hi no Hana family’s second son is even considered a disgrace to the family. Moreover, in political terms, they oppose the other two prefectures led by the Shimari family.
In summary, among the three prefectures, the Shimari family is held