Curious.

[Taiyou no Kishi]

You know, the more I think about it, the more it doesn't make sense:

In order to have access to your shinigami powers, one must be in shinigami form, correct? So then, what exactly is Urahara? Because he's apparently visible (Unless he's not), and can use his Zanpakutoh. The same thing with Hirako. He apparenty is in human form, however can hover, use his zan, and materialize a hollow mask....All while Ichigo needs to use the badge to get into shinigami form... And all that is unlike Inoue, Chad, Ishida, and Yoroich-san. So, any ideas?

[MetroidManiac]

Maybe, uhara has developed a gigai which enables him to use his spirit powers?
As for the visards, I have no ideas.

[Taiyou no Kishi]

hmmm.=\
I mean, it would make sense that Spiritual powers could be physically manifested, like inoue and co., but if they could, then why would Ichigo have to go through the trouble of exorcising himself? Or, for that manner, Renji, when he's in the real world...Eh. I doubt that will ever be explained in the anime or manga...We could only guess. :_:

[EndlessSky]

The only reason Ichigo has to go in Shinigami form to use his powers, is because he is a human that has become a shinigami and he is not even called a real shinigami by SS, just a "representative". Real shinigami have no human body or a shinigami form.

Also in a Gigai the powers are repressed, that is why they have to leave and it is hard for them to be in a gigai, and only need it when they want to be seen.

[Taiyou no Kishi]

Hmmm.... So-ka.