- This is the article on the race of experimental immortals on Kotaku. For Mei's guardian, head to Hōko.
The Hōko (
Appearance[]
The Hōko resemble humans in every aspect.
Biology[]
Though they appear human, the Hōko possess longer life spans due to their immortality, being able to live up to 1,000 years. However, despite their longevity, their bodies eventually undergo a condition known as Arborification where they slowly turn into tree constructs. This condition happens regardless of age. After they fully transform into trees, the villagers travel to Hōrai to sit in a Zazen pose chatting sutras while slowly losing consciousness.
History[]
Past[]
Originally, the Hōko were once humans who journeyed off with Jofuku 1,000 years ago in his quest to find the Elixir of Life. Upon landing on an island that would eventually become known as Kotaku, Jofuku experimented on his fleet, as part of his research to unlock the secrets of immortality, and managed to extend their life spans through an unknown process. During their 1,000 years on Kotaku, the Hōko lived in a small village and were guided by the Sōshin and Lord Tensen in terms of understanding mortality. Over time, members of the Hōko were taken to Hōrai where Lord Tensen would forcibly absorb their Tao and be used as subjects for Rien to create an ideal elixir of immortality. However, sometime ago, the Hōko started to undergo Arborification and left for Hōrai to fully transform into trees while siting in Zazen poses, leaving the village in ruins. A man named Hōko became the sole survivor of the race but left for Hōrai after his Arborification started, however, upon arriving in Hōrai, Hōko found Mei and took her back to the village to raise her with his consciousness still intact.
Edo Period[]
During Gabimaru's battle with Zhu Jin, a few of the Arborified villagers were destroyed. Yuzuriha also used one to be free herself from Mu Dan's capture. After Hōko sacrifices his Tao in order for Mei to fully heal, the race permanently became extinct.