Shikai: In its Shikai, Senbonzakura's blade separates into a thousand slender tiny blade fragments. While the blades are supposedly too small to see normally, they reflect light in such a way as to appear as cherry blossom petals. By swinging Senbonzakura's hilt Byakuya can control the blade fragments at will, allowing him to shred opponents at a distance and break through almost any defense. Bankai (Senbonzakura Kageyoshi): has several forms, achieved by arranging the blades in different patterns. Each form presents a different advantage, such as increasing offense at the expense of defense. They are activated by saying the name of the technique followed by the name of his Bankai (Senbonzakura Kageyoshi).