Mai Tsuchiya

Background

Mai Tsuchiya (土屋 舞) is a priestess at Seichi ("Sacred Earth") Temple (Seichi no Miya (聖地宮)) which belongs to her family. She is the intended heir and will become its kannushi some day. Her parents are currently on a pilgrimage to Japan leaving her and her older brother to mind the temple and the family dojo.

Aether

Mai has powers to manipulate the elements of nature—air, fire, water, and earth—and after meeting The Guardian, who found her for her ability to communicate with the earth thus making her the Omnipath, she honed her skills as one of the Prime. Considering herself the fifth element of Japanese philosophy (sky or spirit (空)), the power underlying the other four elements, she developed the identity, Aether. She has minor training in martial arts from her father and opts to fight with war fans when faced with hand-to-hand combat. She also uses her natural grace she developed over several years of dance classes and makes every fight look nearly like a performance.

Seichi Temple

Located on the three-and-a-half acre formal Japanese garden, located within the Washington Park Arboretum, Seichi Temple is a traditional family-run Shinto shrine. Originating in Japan’s prehistory, Shinto is the natural spirituality or the practice of the philosophy of proceeding in harmony with and gratitude to divine nature. The shrine is an enriched environment where people can feel deeply refreshed and renewed. The Tsuchiya family welcomes everyone to make an omairi (visit) and they can conduct the oharae (purification ceremony) as well as many types of shinto ceremonies for individuals, families, groups or businesses. The shrine is also affiliated with the karate dojo just outside the arboretum.

Seichi Temple

Temple Grounds