Exploring the Hierarchical Status of the Three Prefectures in Mount Zhong
In the world of Genshin Impact’s Mount Zhong, the Thunder and Lightning Generals’ domain is divided into three prefectures: the Shushou Prefecture under the Godan Clan, the Kanpaku Prefecture under the Hiya Clan, and the Tenryū Prefecture under the Kusunoki Clan. In historical context, these three prefectures correspond to the Shūgō-shōgun, Kanpaku, and Chōmei officials of the Tokugawa Shogunate, respectively.
I. The Most Honored Shūgō-shōgun
In the dialogue of the game, it is evident that despite being part of the three prefectures, the Godan Clan, under the Shushou Prefecture, holds a higher status than the other two. From the historical prototype of the Shūgō-shōgun, we can clearly understand the reason behind this. In the Tokugawa Shogunate, the Shūgō-shōgun was a position held by musicians from samurai families, who were appointed to assist the Shōgun, unlike the Kanpaku (Hiya Clan) and Chōmei (Kusunoki Clan) officials who were often of daimyo backgrounds. The Shūgō-shōgun was also a stepping stone for promotion to the highest office within the shogunate, the “old middle” (old middle), which was far more accessible to samurai families than to daimyo families.
The Shūgō-shōgun is responsible for administrative and judicial affairs related to temples and shrines, as well as overseeing judicial proceedings outside the Kantō region. Therefore, theoretically, the historical prototype, Nagasaki Out Island, should still have the authority to participate in civil litigation in the game’s islands.
Generally, samurai families hoping to become old middle must pass through several steps: Musa-ban (Musakana) → Shūgō-shōgun → ōnari-shi → Daimyo-shi → Kanshō-shi. In reality, many shogunate “old middle” positions were filled by those promoted from Kanshō-shi.
II. The Tenryū Prefectures
From the map, we can see that the Kusunoki Clan in the game not only holds the position of prefecture but also serves as a military officer (Kataki). The term “tenryū” suggests that they hold a position of tenryū prefectures. Historically, the Tenryū Prefectures were the Chōmei officials of Edo, the capital of the Tokugawa Shogunate, responsible for managing administrative and judicial affairs in the northern and southern districts of Edo, or overseeing the administration and judicial affairs of various tenryū regions, as well as managing the superior Kanpaku Prefectures.
In the game, the Tenryū Prefectures are held by the Kusunoki Clan members, who differ from the administrative and judicial fiscal positions held by the Chōmei officials. They more closely resemble the commanders of the shogunate’s gendarmes, or as if serving as both the Tenryū Prefectures of Mount Zhong and controlling a central military position within the shogunate.
Historically, due to the emphasis on practical abilities in Kanpaku and far country prefectures, officials were required to come from families of higher status, often from the higher ranks of daimyo families. Thus, they were frequently appointed from higher-ranking daimyo families, and their abilities were secondary. Additionally, due to the Tokugawa Shogunate’s long period of peace, these gendarmes served as a kind of reserve for the shogunate, accepting only samurai families of higher status.
III. The Kanpaku Prefectures
In the game, we first visit the islands of Mount Zhong, where the Kanpaku Prefecture is referred to as the “far country governor.” Historically, this corresponds to the Chōmei officials of the Chōsuke (Chōsuke Prefecture) in Edo, often managed by the Chōsuke Prefect of Nagasaki. The term “governor” in Chinese can refer to
Exploring the Hierarchical Status of Mount Zhong’s Three Prefectures in Genshin Impact
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