• WHILE IN BATTLE & THE ZANPAKUTOU
If you are a shinigami, you have a zanpakutou. Ukitake is no exception. Initially, zanpakutous are in asauchi form, which is simply a katana and its sheath. However, some shinigami such as Urahara Kisuke and Yamamoto (first division) keep their zanpakutous hidden in form of an object such as a cane. It is not until a shinigami release their zanpakutou, shikai, that you are able to see its true form. In order for this to happen, the shinigami must be able to communicate and synchronize with the soul of his or her zanpakutou. The shikai form of most shinigami zanpakutous are based on an actual weapon and at times the use of the weapon which the zanpakutou is based on tells about the shinigami who possesses it. The final form is known as bankai, which is the materialization, and submission of the zanpakutou. For materialization to happen, instead of communicating with the zanpakutou within its world, you must be able to summon it in the actual world. It normally takes more than ten years to achieve materialization, and, according to Byakuya, only a special few can actually achieve the bankai stage.

To have a zanpakutou in its shikai form, a shinigami must call the name of the zanpakutou in form of a poetic chant or a phrase while performing a certain stance or action. The name of Ukitake’s zanpakutou is Sougyou no Kotowari (双魚理), which means ‘logic/the ultimate truth of Pisces’. For it to be released in shikai form, Ukitake says “Nami kotogotoku waga tatetonare, ikazuchi kodokodoku, waga yaiba tonare!” (波悉く我が盾となれ雷悉く我が刃となれ) which means ‘(ocean) waves be my shield. Thunder, descend (from heaven) and become my blade of power’ (yaiba is basically the part of the sword which can cut. For example, for katana, you can only strike with one edge of the sword, the other side is flat/dull. Also, there is reference to 'ocean' because "nami" is only used when referencing to it.) While Ukitake calls for Sougyou no Kotowari he would have his left palm facing and touching the inner part of his right wrist while pulling both arms back. His zanpakutou will split in two, and then Ukitake finishes off the transformation by crossing his arms over his chest while holding the Sougyou no Kotowari’s blades upward. Unfortunately Ukitake’s bankai has not been revealed.

Sougyou no Kotowari is based on jyuute. It basically consists of a handle, rod, and a hook (kagi). The only differences between Sougyou no Kotowari and a jyuute is that the Sougyou no Kotowari is bladed and is attached at the ends. However, there is a rather large habaki, the collar like covering on the blade, which is situated under the hook. Considering the background of jyuute, it seems as if Ukitake is quite suited for it when it comes to the type of work the 13th Division does, although not verified in the series most of the 13th Division members are primarily the ones who scout areas and hunt down Hollows as if they were like the police. The kanji for jyuute (十手) means ‘ten hands’. During the Edo period (1603 – 1867), jyuutes were used to stop or trap swords, break swords, latch onto clothing, and so on. It was also seen as a symbol of authority in later periods, but its main use is as a defensive weapon (unless you decide to repeatedly jab someone with it, but that require close range, but then again you have to be in close range to use jyuute anyways).

In comparison to Hinamori’s zanpakutou, Tobiume, which is also based on jyuute, you may notice that it is more like the traditional jyuute but with multiple hooks that branch off. Also note that Hinamori’s strength is kidoh and her zanapkutou is able to shoot energy balls. Sougyou no Kotowari, however, appears to be the same shape as the traditional jyuute, but it is in form of a bladed sword. Since both the rod and hook are bladed, it makes the defensive jyuute become both a defensive and offensive weapon. Also note that the hook itself is a blade. Although not much is shown of Ukitake in battle, it is seen that he can suddenly become ill in the middle of a battle. If that happens, Ukitake has to increase his defense. It is precisely because of this reason his zanpakutou in shikai form is in form of a bladed jyuute.

Sougyou no Kotowari is a twin zanpakutou, meaning that there are two swords. They are connected at the ends with a rope like material (sort of like shougee, perhaps it can be used in the same way?), and on the rope are five tags. Sougyou no Kotowari is also one of two twin zanpakutou in the Soul Society. The other one is Shunsui’s Katen Kyoukotsu (花天狂骨). According to Yamamoto, Shunsui and Ukitake’s zanpakutou’s powers are complimentary, and when used together, these two zanpakutou create an unrivaled power.

Another thing to notice about a shinigami's zanpakutou are their tsuba. The tsuba is the piece which serves as a hand guard and is situated between the blade and the hilt. Traditionally, the tsuba on katana are decorated, and Kubo Tite follows that with his designs of the zanpakutou. Ukitake's tsuba is a rectangle, whereas Byakuya's tsuba is also a rectangle but has cuts in it. Hitsugaya's is in shape of a star, perhaps to symbolize a snow flake? Probably, because it is a ice and water based zanpakutou), Yachiru is that of a flower, Mayuri’s is the head of a fetus, Ichigo’s doesn't have a tsuba, and so on.

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