Post by Admin on Jun 12, 2015 18:38:27 GMT -5
Sokoku
Based on: Japan
Larger Island: Sosushima
Smaller Island : Kojima
Trade City: Ninkatoshi [ Permission City ]
Geography and Basic Information:
Located to the south and east of Archades, separated by the Sea, this land has long held itself aloof from their northern neighbors. Trade with this region is limited to interactions with the Deliambre family and constrained to a single city on the isthmus connecting its two main islands.
The larger of the two islands has a series of low mountains that form the northwestern edge, then slope down into steppes, then into plains. This island, called [ Name ], is largely given over to farming, animal husbandry, forestry/lumber and mining operations. The smaller island is the more cosmopolitan and populated of the two regions, containing the realm’s capital city and towns that are devoted to various communities of artisans.
Their weather is largely tropical, with hot, sunny and stormy springs and summers, but temperate, pleasant autumns and winters. However, those storms can be very strong, bringing torrential rains and damaging winds along with destructive tides and surges. Because of this, homes are largely constructed with blocks of stone or sturdy wood for the walls, and wooden shingles, slate tiles or thatch for the roofs. The climate also means the homes do not possess glass windows; glass is too delicate to withstand the tropical winds and flying debris during the storms. Instead, during storms, the windows are covered by thick wooden shutters barred closed; otherwise, windows are flung wide to allow the breezes to cool the structure. For the merchant and noble classes, their homes have storm shelters within the property; however, each town, city or village also offers a public shelter for the people during the storm season. When a storm is spotted, a large iron bell is rung repeatedly to warn the people, giving them time to gather their families, pets and belongings before the shelter is closed against the storm.
Food is very simple in Sokoku. The people eat well and hunger is an issue only for those who do not work. There is not a lot of wheat, barley or oats, so there is little pastry or bread, but rice, sugarcane and beans grow liberally. Fish and shellfish are in abundance, as are fruits and vegetables that flourish nearly year-round. Herds are maintained not for meat but for milk, wool/skins, farm work or transportation, and are primarily sheep, goats and oxen.
Artistry is very important to the people of Sokoku. Thanks to the woods produced on the large island, they craft furnishings, instruments, bows and ships alike, though their ships seldom venture more than a few miles from the coast. They do not maintain significant interest in exploration of other lands, preferring to keep to themselves. These vessels are used for transportation around the islands, fishing, pearl and coral diving, and for harvesting shellfish.
Despite their lack of windows, the southwestern region of the larger island is host to porcelain works, where delicate, translucent porcelain is crafted and fired, then painted elaborately before glazing. This process remains a closely guarded secret and contributes to [ Name ]’s reluctance to allow foreigners to travel.
Another valuable item of trade is the fine silk that comes from the southeastern part of the larger islands. The silkworks there are expansive, producing the shimmering fabrics prized all over the world.
Additional resources from Sokoku as a whole include copper and tin, which the inhabitants have historically used to produce brass. This brass had a variety of purposes, including furniture, decoration and weapons. The latter of which is considered something of an artform. It was only through the introduction of iron by the Deliambres that they learned methods of producing steel.
Cultural/Societal Aspects:
The people of Sokoku are proud, determined and diligent. Great emphasis is placed on honor and respect for it helps the whole advance forward in the world. While such faults as arrogance, selfishness, and cockiness do exist within certain individuals, it is often frowned upon. A person acting solely for his own selfish interests is thought to be working against the greater good and disrupting the harmony of life itself. Everyone has their place and they are expected to respect it, and those above them. Men are above women, age is above youth, and so on, but it is an established institution rather than a restrictive imposition.
Sokoku’s society is rigidly defined by its castes, and there is little opportunity to change one’s caste. Consequently, the higher the caste, the sense of superiority is greater. The highest level, the nobility, enjoy the greatest of privileges, but also a high level of responsibility. Known as samurai, they own lands and titles, serving at the Shogun’s pleasure to maintain those lands, pay tithes and taxes, and ensure that the peace is maintained. They also answer his summons to stand as an army if one is needed.
The samurai class is broken up into families, some of whom are allied, others of whom feud with each other. These families are traditionally led by men known as daimyo, though women are often consulted as advisors. The daimyo is the Lord of the family and the title holder, passed typically from father to son but exceptions can be granted for females. This is the smallest caste in all of Sokoku.
The next level, the heimin, is composed of the peasant class - the farmers, the herders, and the fishermen. Considered the true foundation of Sokoku’s society, this is the largest caste and often the most respected for the very simple reason of - they produced the food, the clothing, the homes in which everyone lived. Paying their taxes in the form of their goods and services to the daimyo, they were equally depending on the daimyo’s generosity to feed their families.
Just below the farmers in their own caste are the artisans, who either rented work space in the cities or sought patronage from the samurai. They were not necessarily viewed as equal with those who produced food, but as their goods contributed, they were granted some rights above the merchants.
The fourth level is the hinin, the merchant class. They may own small parcels of land and houses that are purchased, but no titles and all their money cannot purchase their way into the samurai caste. They are, however, largely their own people and able to interact with foreigners in Ninkutoshi freely. The merchants are often looked down on by both the samurai and the hinin, considered ‘half-men’ because they do not actually contribute to the good of Sokoku. Actors, bards, wandering minstrels and players also belong to the hinin.
The rest of Sokoku society exists outside of the four castes, not even truly considered ‘people.’ These are the Eta, the lower-than-low, those who worked in unclean trades (butchers, tanners, undertakers), prostitutes and courtesans, the honorless, and so on. Geisha, the entertainers, are outside of this, belonging to their own sphere, the Willow World.
The people of Sokoku follow a very rigid social code that adheres to respect and honor above all else. The elder men of Sokuku are considered the most respected members of society with children, especially young girls considered the lowest. This is not to say all members of society that are not old men are disrespected, just that those members are afforded the most respect and honor. As such, most political and economic affairs in Sokoku are handled by elder men and some elder women.
Communication is very important to the people of Sokoku. They believe in open and honest communication, especially when it comes to the establishment of one’s place within society. To them, this is essential for properly conducting matters of business and marriage. In day to day affairs, there is great emphasis on communication to encourage harmony and flow within the family, group,and society within one’s own sphere.
Additionally, while there is praise for the achievements and accomplishments of the individual, individualism itself is greatly frowned upon. All members of society should contribute to the greater good and the advancement of the whole rather than their own selfish gains. Naturally, there will always be elements that run countercurrent to this ideal, but as a whole, the people of Sokoku do adhere to the greater ideal. It is, after all, considered highly honorable to do such and as a rule, the people place a great deal on saving face.
Honor is the glue that keeps Sokoku together.