Ise Zumi

The ise zumi are an order of tattooed monks who belong to the Dragon Clan exclusively. The ise zumi, along with the tsurai zumi of the Hoshi family and the kikage zumi of the Hitomi family, form the spiritual core of the Dragon Clan. While their tattoos grant them mystical powers ranging everywhere from extreme speed to the ability to breathe fire, the ise zumi are enigmatic and generally pacifistic, though they can be fierce warriors when necessary.

History of the Ise Zumi
The ise zumi were founded personally by the Kami Togashi, and swore directly to his name as the Togashi family. Each member of the ise zumi, from the beginning of the Empire, was tattooed originally with Togashi's blood. It was this blood, and their understanding of their own place within the universe, that allowed them to access such phenomenal abilities. It is unclear how the ise zumi claimed their tattoos after Togashi's death on the Second Day of Thunder, but it is likely that they now receive their tattoos from Togashi Satsu, whose soul also houses that of his grandfather, Togashi. When Hitomi discovered how to create her own tattooed men, known as the kikage zumi, she forced the Togashi to swear to her name or be banished or killed. Later, after Hitomi's realization of her evils, and her banishment of the dark influence of Kokujin, the Togashi were readmitted along with the newly formed Hoshi family to the Dragon Clan. They returned to their role as advisors and mystics, and have continued as such to this day.

The Togashi and their Kami
The Dragon Clan, like the Phoenix, have had the comfort of the guidance of their founding Kami from the beginning of the Empire. By moving his soul into a different host body and masquerading as that host, Togashi remained champion of the Dragon Clan until the Second Day of Thunder. This cycle of reincarnation of the kami was guaranteed by the appearance of at least one tamashii each generation. A tamashii is a member of the Tattooed Order whose soul is attuned properly to be a host soul and body for Togashi. Generally the most powerful of the ise zumi, these men rarely lived full lives, as Togashi's reincarnation killed them as surely as would death. The body lived on, but the soul was that of another. This cycle seems to have been broken with the curious cohabitation of Togashi Satsu and the original soul of Togashi, but this is not assured. Tamashii are still appearing, as in the case of Togashi Matsuo.  {stub}