Machi hails from a serene village famed for crafting festival and community-focused clockwork dolls called karakuri. Orphaned by her mother's death and her father's prolonged absence, she lives communally with friends including Hiwou and other village children.

This peaceful existence collapses when the Wind Gang obliterates her village using weaponized karakuri, capturing most residents. Machi escapes alongside Hiwou, siblings Shishi and Tetsu, friends Mayu and Sai, and infant Jyobu, having fortuitously explored a cave during the assault. She joins their mission to rescue the captured villagers, journeying with the giant karakuri Homura.

Throughout their quest, Machi and the group reluctantly transform their peaceful karakuri into combat tools for survival, conflicting with principles instilled by Hiwou's father. Their travels intersect with Meiji Restoration historical figures and allies like Arashi, a Wind Gang defector, and samurai sisters Hana and Yuki.

During a winter pursuit through mountains by the Wind Gang, Machi vanishes into a snowstorm amid the conflict, starkly revealing her vulnerability.