Isawa Ochiai

Isawa Ochiai is the younger sister of Master of Air Isawa Nakamuro. Even though both siblings were gifted with the kami, neither were considered particularily powerful. Whereas Nakamuro managed to become a student under Agasha Gennai, Ochiai had no interests in such things and pursued the path of an artisan, taking delight in painting, dancing and other creative endeavors. Her youth and beauty brought a great deal of attention from suitors.

Discovering Her Powers
After the deaths of their parents, Nakamuro chose to allow Ochiai to choose who she would marry, as he could not bear to see her shackled in a loveless marriage. It was her focus on her arts which led her to discover her gift for incredibe precision. She found that while others might be able to turn a tree to ash she could target and incinerate individual leaves without as much as schorching those around it. Even the great Isawa sensei Isawa Sachi could not help but be impressed.

Appointed Master of Fire
When it came time to select a new Master of Fire after the death of Isawa Hochiu, it was Master of Void Shiba Ningen who suggested Ochiai. There was some deliberation, but even the stubborn Isawa Taeruko could not deny her worth. With Ochiai's skill tempering her gift for fire magic, the Council of Five believed there would be no more shame heaped upon the position. Ochiai accepted the position shortly after Doji Akiko was accepted into the Council.

Division of the Council
After the death of Taeruko and the appointment of Sachi as Master of Earth, the Council seemed to have started going in new directions. Sachi and Akiko formed a close bond, and Nakamuro and Ningen were loathe to oppose the other Masters too much. This situation left Ochiai frequently with the swing vote of the Council, a position she found very enjoyable but uncomfortable at the same time.

Being a devout pacifist, she sided with Nakamuro in attempting to prevent hostilities with the Mantis Clan, but Ningen sided with Sachi and Akiko and the war was the result. The Mantis War placed Ochiai in a very difficult position. She would gladly use her magic to protect and defend her people, but she would not harm others. Ochiai has turned to the dragon spirits in the City of Rememberance for aid in trying to end the conflict without more loss of life.

Leadership
Even though she is young, the leadership of the Council was passed to her after the death of Isawa Sachi. 

Masakazu
The Shogun's Advisor that was sent to the Phoenix Clan, Masakazu, was appointed by Ochiai to be her yojimbo. 

Major References

 * Master of Fire