Michi is an Imperial who has not publicly taken her family name. At her Gempukku, Michi declined to take the Isawa name, choosing instead to wander as a monk studying enlightenment until her father publicly acknowledged her. It could be deduced that her father is somewhat important as she has been accompanied by a Bayushi Yojimbo during her wanderings, even before given her Imperial status. Several years later, the now quite accomplished craftsman delivered a gift to the Imperial Palace, which she assumed would be accepted by a minor functionary. Instead it was accepted by the Son of Heaven himself, whereupon he gave her several titles including Mystic Smithy, Smithy to the Imperial Legions, and the (newly created) Alexandrite Championship and given the Imperial Monastic portfolio. She is expected to advise the Emperor on matters of spiritual importance.

The still-young Michi is now a very-highly ranked Imperial (being roughly on par with the others of the Emperor's Champions), though she is also quite unaccustomed to such status.

Michi does not wear any sort of Clan or Family symbol, choosing to bear neutral "Imperial". The only designs she carries is the Alexandrite Crow, the symbol of her Championship over her shoulders, and a tiny Isawa Shugenja School Mon on her right arm that bears witness to the strength of her training. She bears a blade with her at all times which she crafted herself, the legendary Dainichiken, though it is typically carried on her back and wrapped in silk in deference to the Bushi assigned to guard her.