Mirith 1,304 Posted October 31, 2018 As my understanding of it (Having played one for many years), Togashi are Samurai, but in an awkward place due to their monk-ish nature and no one really knowing how to treat them. Socially, they are often given a lot of leeway due to their weirdness and rarity. However, they are most definitely of the samurai caste. How one becomes an Ise Zumi is far more difficult that becoming a normal monk. Brotherhood of Shinsei Monks (the traditional monks), give up their samurai or peasant status and are sort of slightly above and to the side of the social order, since they are expected to pursue enlightenment, and are respected, but are definitely below the samurai. In general, those who follow the Togashi school were adopted into the Togashi 'family', nearly no one is born to it. I believe it to be a requirement in joining the school. Similarly, a shugenja could be born to a non-shugenja family, and they family would usually try and adopt them (Not required, but lots of social pressure). Being part of the Togashi school and having a tattoo are different. Tattoos are occasionally given out to non-Ise Zumi, but it is considered a high honor/special case and is fairly rare. A lot of the people you list are massively important story characters, and as such are the exception, not the rule. And eventually Hitomi tried to start her own version of the Ise Zumi. However, being part of the school means you follow their teachings, learn their methods, etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BitRunr 103 Posted October 31, 2018 https://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2018/10/31/NobleBirth.jpghttps://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2018/10/31/TattooedTraditions.jpg For reference to editions past. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
