Honke

A Japanese family title held by the eldest son of the family. The honke (本家) is keeper of the koseki, or family record, to which marriages of wives, and descendants, are recorded. The bunke (分家) is a branch family established by a collateral of the honke.

This title is a very honorable appointment, and is never written or used by the family leader as a form of self-identification, as it would be considered boasting, and thus impolite.In Japanese families, the title pertaining to the eldest branch of a continuous family tree, to the family of the eldest son. The honke keeps the koseki, or family records, for all members of the extended family, and this is where marriages and descendants are recorded.

This title is a high honor, and members of the honke never use this term in self-identification, as it would be considered boasting and thus impolite.