As Japan is getting a rework in the upcoming patch, I think it would be a good idea to suggest some new events for them. Thus, I present my thread on the subject. True to form, I've inserted many spoilers to actually make this readable.
Daimyo Events:
There were many Daimyo throughout the Sengoku Period – most of them unremarkable, and the few most notable of them appearing only after the Onin War. However, there still were many regional lords who stood good chances at national unification had events taken different turns, and others who would go on to play important roles in the background of those who did – and in short, make interesting subjects for flavor. As I don’t know whether or not the later appearing Daimyo (Oda/Tokugawa/Mori/Hojo/etc.) already have cores at the 1444 startdate in 1.20 – and thus can be playable – I will simply keep these suggestions to seven of the most prominent clans of the period that exist at 1444 as of 1.19 (I’ll come back and edit this later if necessary).
Ouchi:
While the Yamana undeniably lost the Onin War, it can be said that it was the Ouchi and not the Hosokawa who actually won it. Odd seeing as how Masahiro Ouchi was not only Sozen Yamana’s most prominent ally, but led the Western Army against the Hosokawa after his death.
Yet, even in spite of that, the Ouchi would formally emerge from the shadow of the Yamana as arguably the biggest power in western Japan for roughly a century since gamestart (98 or 107 years, depending on what event you believe sent them into decline), both in terms of territory and influence. Their foreign dealings also arguably made them the most important clan in Japan during much of this time as well. As a result, the Ouchi of all clans have the most possibility for flavor events that isn’t reliant on railroading.
Amago:
The Amago are often forgotten for what they were; a major power of their time, and instead often occupy a footnote as ‘that clan that the Mori conquered after Itsukushima’. In 1444 the Amago, from their base of Gassantoda Castle, were nominal vassals of the Kyogoku clan – however, as the Kyogoku’s other lands of Omi and Hida are not provinces, it’s just easier to represent them as being independent.
Under Tsunehisa – who managed to take direct control of Izumo by taking advantage of the Kyogoku family feud – the Amago experienced a meteoric rise to power, snatching up large tracks of the surrounding provinces while Yoshioki Ouchi, who would have normally intervened, was away protecting Yoshitane Ashikaga in the capital. By the time he returned, Tsunehisa would prove to be the only Daimyo in western Japan capable of going toe to toe with the mighty Ouchi, and the Amago would outlast them for about a decade after their fall.
Hosokawa:
The Hosokawa were the biggest powerplayer in Kansai politics for centuries, and would continue to be for another after gamestart. Despite winning it, they left the Onin War weaker than they entered, and the assassination of Masamoto Hosokawa would only throw them into a civil war that, due to constant court intrigue and assassinations, ultimately paved the way for the rise of Nagayoshi Miyoshi.
However, unlike their other rivals – Ouchi, Yamana, Hatakeyama and Shiba – the Hosokawa would ironically survive under a cadet branch by not having real power. Revived to prominence by Fujitaka who was critical in both the revival of the Ashikaga Shogunate and rise of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, they would later get land in Tango, and then be moved to even more in Kyushu under Tadaoki. Nowadays they’ve picked back up their ancient role as ministers; Morihiro Hosokawa was the 79th Prime Minister of Japan.
Otomo:
The Otomo, much like the Amago, are usually just presented as a footnote when compared to their neighbors – except unlike the Amago, they usually have the added insult of being shown as grossly incompetent. In reality, the Otomo were the most powerful clan in Kyushu pre-Mimigawa, and much like the Ouchi, their foreign interactions make good fuel for events.
While most perhaps most famous for Sorin’s conversion and fostering of Christianity, the Otomo engaged heavily in trade and international diplomacy; the Chikashige, the head in 1444, would send letters to some of the Indian Sultanates, and Sorin would later organize the first Japanese Embassy to Europe. The Otomo were also one of the clans most heavily involved in Chinese markets. The wealth and connections they got from such trade also transmitted into cultural pursuits; the Otomo were considered patrons of the arts.
Shimazu:
Though the Shimazu are best remembered today as the clan that nearly unified Kyushu (often to the point where the Otomo’s near unification is downplayed), and for their stunning feats of military genius on the battlefield, at the start of the game they were an entirely unremarkable clan, who were famous for doing nothing but fighting each other. Whereas the Uesugi spanned three provinces and had a branch clan for each of them, the Shimazu had three branch clans fighting in Satsuma alone – this, of course, does not take into account the other autonomous clans of the province, such as the Kamo.
But when the Shimazu were able to achieve unity through carefully planned marriages, they exploded. Swallowing up Osumi, they were deadlocked in Hyuga for a few years before the battle of Mimigawa. After defeating the Otomo, it was a simple matter of the Ryuzoji before they became the most powerful clan on the island. After surrendering to Hideyoshi Toyotomi, they would win even more renown on the battlefield in Korea and Sekigahara, later be the only clan to extract tribute from a foreign nation, and finally play a pivotal role in the Meiji Restoration.
Takeda:
In 1444 the Takeda were insignificant, even in the provinces they nominally ruled over. They were best off in Kai, safe from the larger clans that surrounded the other Takeda branches in Kazusa, Aki and Wakasa, but not by much; they barely had control of the local clans there either. Despite that, the Takeda began their ascension under Nobutora, who dealt some stinging defeats to many of the clans of Shinano, and his much larger neighbors of the Imagawa and Hojo.
However, Nobutora was a tyrant and hated by both the commoners and his own retainers; he was ousted by his son Harunobu, who would later lead the Takeda to national prominence as Shingen, slowly breaking the Shinano clans, establishing a famous rivalry with Kenshin Uesugi, and dealing Ieyasu Tokugawa one of the most humiliating defeats in military history. After Shingen’s unexpected and inconvenient death, his son Katsuyori took over. Despite being remembered for little more than his equally humiliating defeat at Nagashino, Katsuyori worked hard to follow up on his father’s ambitions and later preserve that Takeda, only to no avail. Ieyasu Tokugawa would later take a lot of Shingen’s ideas and incorporate them into his Shogunate.
Uesugi:
The Uesugi were one of the most important clans of the period, though most famous for their constant infighting during the first century of the game than anything else. It was only until the Hojo dealt them a crippling blow in the Battle of Kawagoe Castle in 1546 that they truly lost control of Musashi province and were reduced to Kozuke; having lost de facto rule of Echigo back in 1510 to their nominal vassal Tamekage Nagao.
They would experience a true resurgence to power when Norimasa Uesugi adopted the son of Tamekage, Kagetora, who then changed his name to Masatora, and then retired as Kanto Kanrei in favor of his adoptive son. Masatora’s inspired leadership would see the Hojo pushed back in Kanto for a while, and then he would turn his attention against Shingen Takeda before finally planning a march to the capital. After Masatora’s – who had changed his name to Terutora then Kenshin – death, the Uesugi fractured again as he had adopted twice and willed for his heirs to co-rule (which, obviously did not come to pass). Afterwards, the Uesugi became staunch supporters of the Toyotomi, and famous for their continued fighting spirit.
Shogunate Events:
By this I should clarify I mean a few events regarding the Shogunate, and not necessarily for Japan proper.
Ikko Events:
The Ikko were one of the most dramatic facets of the Sengoku period; leagues of peasants, ji-samurai, merchants, Shinto priests and Buddhist monks joining together in loose theocratic-republics against any Daimyo rule, spurred on by their belief in the Amida Buddha’s teaching that all could reach enlightenment and exhaustion of the constant warfare and abuses from their lords. They were, for a little less than a century, quite successful too; overrunning the entirety of Kii, Kaga, Iga and (shortly) Echizen and Yamashiro, and having fortified strongholds in other provinces such as in Ise, Mikawa, Etchu and Settsu.
Theologically, and in terms of hierarchy, they originated with Rennyo and his unorthodox teachings. However, he was pragmatic in his involvement with the Ikko, and it would take some time before the Ishiyama Honganji Temple – which would be the foundations for modern day Osaka – would emerge as the de-facto leadership in the Ikko. They would go on to be a major power player in the Kinai and one of the staunchest opponents to Nobunaga Oda, and a pervasive threat to smaller Daimyo.
Currently, the Ikko are the result of sporadic events, and don’t really accomplish much. The creation of an event chain for them could make them into the threat they were. This would require the addition of a Honganji tag, and a rework of the Ikko-Ikki rebels so that they;
Castles:
Though not really events, I suppose I can include a short section on what provinces I believe should have castles at the 1444 start, as I suppose it’s a flavor of a sort. However, as Japan was littered with the blessed things until the Tokugawa enforced a one castle per domain law, I’ll only choose the truly noteworthy ones.
Tachibanayama Castle:
For Chikuzen. Tachibanayama was built by the Otomo clan in 1330 for the branch that would pick up the name of the kuge family who gave their name to the mountain it was built on. It had a strong reputation for sturdiness, and after trading hands a few times throughout the 1550s and 1560s, came firmly under the control of the Otomo. It would then go on to be one of the only castles in the Otomo domain that was able to resist a Shimazu attack during their invasion, thanks to the efforts of Muneshige Tachibana – the only other, I believe, being Bungo-Oka castle under the command of Chikatsugu Shiga – and would later be one of the main staging grounds for Hideyoshi Toyotomi’s invasion of Kyushu. Much of the castle was torn down in 1603 to help build Nagamasa Kuroda’s Fukuoka Castle, but some of its fortifications remain.
Gassantoda Castle:
For Izumo. Controlled by the Amago clan as early as 1396, Gassantoda would prove to be one of the most stubborn fortifications of the Sengoku period. The Amago would rise to power from this base, and make their last (and many other) stands in it. After his disastrous defeat at Yoshida-Koriyama in 1540, Haruhisa Amago retreated here with most of his forces to await the coming Ouchi storm, and was able to not only repel but utterly crush the 30,000 strong Ouchi army at its gates (this event being accredited as the beginning of the Ouchi’s end by many). Later it would resist a four-year long siege against the Mori in the 1560s, and would only be brought down due to starvation.
Inabayama Castle:
For Mino. Built back in 1201 originally, Inabayama Castle had a reputation for being untakeable – so much so, that conventional military tactics were not used in the two times during the game it did fall. The first being to rogue Saito retainer, Hanbei Takenaka, who captured it with only sixteen men, and second to the Oda, who captured it due to the efforts of Hideyoshi then Hashiba scaling the mountain with a handful of men and unlocking the gates from the inside.
Nanao Castle:
For Noto. Built by the Hatakeyama at the turn of the century, it was considered one of the sturdiest mountain castles in Japan at the time. In fact, it would preserve the Hatakeyama in Noto far longer than their other branches in Etchu, Kii and Kawachi – it would only fall to Kenshin Uesugi in 1578 after a Hatakeyama retainer opened the gates.
Daimyo Events:
There were many Daimyo throughout the Sengoku Period – most of them unremarkable, and the few most notable of them appearing only after the Onin War. However, there still were many regional lords who stood good chances at national unification had events taken different turns, and others who would go on to play important roles in the background of those who did – and in short, make interesting subjects for flavor. As I don’t know whether or not the later appearing Daimyo (Oda/Tokugawa/Mori/Hojo/etc.) already have cores at the 1444 startdate in 1.20 – and thus can be playable – I will simply keep these suggestions to seven of the most prominent clans of the period that exist at 1444 as of 1.19 (I’ll come back and edit this later if necessary).
Ouchi:
While the Yamana undeniably lost the Onin War, it can be said that it was the Ouchi and not the Hosokawa who actually won it. Odd seeing as how Masahiro Ouchi was not only Sozen Yamana’s most prominent ally, but led the Western Army against the Hosokawa after his death.
Yet, even in spite of that, the Ouchi would formally emerge from the shadow of the Yamana as arguably the biggest power in western Japan for roughly a century since gamestart (98 or 107 years, depending on what event you believe sent them into decline), both in terms of territory and influence. Their foreign dealings also arguably made them the most important clan in Japan during much of this time as well. As a result, the Ouchi of all clans have the most possibility for flavor events that isn’t reliant on railroading.
Draw Up a Statement of Holdings
Background: Before the famous Masahiro, there was his father Norihiro; the Ouchi Daimyo at the start of the game. He is not as well remembered as his son due to his lack of great military exploits, but had it not been for Norihiro’s administrative efforts, Masahiro would have never been able to conduct them. While it was common for Shugo to work out of Kyoto at the time, the Ouchi were one of the first Daimyo to frequently return to their actual powerbase and conduct business there; Norhiro was able to consolidate the Ouchi administration and control of his vassals by doing so under the pretext of subduing belligerent clans in his holdings in northern Kyushu. Part of the Ouchi’s centralization efforts involved making an early and uneasy switch from land to rice in evaluation of fiefs, and other times it involved uprooting vassal clans from their ancestral homes and relocating them to other domains provinces away to maintain effective control over them. In this particular instance, it involved taking a detailed inventory of their vassals land to determine not only how much it was worth, but to settle discrepancies within their own records.
Description: My Lord, it has come to our attention that some of our assessments of our vassals land does not match our own records. Perhaps we should conduct a detailed survey of their land to ensure we are getting all of our due?
(A): Conduct it!
(B): Let us focus on our demesne.
Effects: (A): Two Random Owned Provinces gain 1 Tax, 1 Manpower and 2 Unrest. Costs half a year’s income.
(B): Gain 5 Prestige and 10 Adm.
Requirements: Must be before 1470, at peace, and ruler must have an ADM Skill of at least 3.
Kyoto of the West
Background: When the Onin War hit, it was mostly a dud (obviously this would not be the case ingame). The Western and Eastern Armies that had gathered in Kyoto engaged more in staring contests and destroying infrastructure than in actual fighting. By the time that Masahiro Ouchi took over the remnants of Western Army in light of Sozen Yamana’s death, much of the city has already been damaged in limited sorties and military takeovers. Masahiro made it worse by burning down his own residence in Kyoto – one last act of defiance given that the Hosokawa had ostensibly won - and then proceeded to do the same to Nijo Palace. However, the Ouchi’s residential move from the capital to their home of Yamaguchi and the sudden displacement of many families did present Masahiro with a golden opportunity; to turn Yamaguchi into a new Kyoto. And so began the rise of Yamaguchi as the most important city in Western Japan for a century.
Description: With war engulfing the capital, not only have many prominent families been displaced – nobles, merchants, scholars, artists, silk weavers and so forth – but we are afforded the opportunity to focus our full attentions on our capital of Yamaguchi. Though costly, inviting these refugees to settle in the Capital will allow us to transform it into a city truly worthy to rival Kyoto.
(A): Might as well renovate our castle while we’re at it…
(B): We can’t afford it.
Effects: (A): Gain 1 Tax and Production in Suo, and tradegood changes to Silk. Gain ‘Kyoto of the West’ provincial modifier (+8 Local Trade Power, +1 Naval Forcelimit, -5% Development Cost, +5% Institution Spread) in Suo indefinitely. Costs 50 Adm, 25 Dip and a year’s income.
(B): Lose 15 Prestige.
Requirements: Is between 1460 and 1500, one of Hosokawa, Yamana or Japan exists and owns Kyoto, and is at war, Ouchi owns Suo.
Clash at Ningbo
Background: After the Onin War, the Ouchi were able to wriggle their way into the Tally Trade that had been dominated by the Hosokawa due to their domination of the capital. The Ouchi delegation of 1523 arrived at Ningbo before the Hosokawa, who were also using outdated tallies – however, the Hosokawa delegation was able to be received first due to some well-placed bribes. This angered the Ouchi (though, as Yoshioki Ouchi had marched to the capital, defeated the Hosokawa and restored Yoshitane Ashikaga in 1508, the previous enmity between the clans probably had a hand) and they killed one of the Hosokawa delegates, many of their men, sunk their ship and then looted some of Ningbo and headed home after dispatching a Chinese fleet. The aftermath was the Ming closing down Ningbo to foreign trade, and the Ouchi, ironically, dominating the last trade missions (it appears that the Ming Authorities made their punitive demands to the Ouchi, believing them to be representatives of the Shogun and unaware of their role in backing the mission. Nothing would come of them obviously, and the Ming would shut down trade with Japan with the Ouchi’s fall in 1557).
Description: My lord, word has reached us that our members of the latest trade mission have killed the delegates from a rival clan and pillaged Ningbo. Now the Ming Authorities are demanding that we turn over those responsible. Denying them will obviously not bode well for trade.
(A): Hand over the culprits.
(B): We bow only to the Shogun and Emperor!
Effects: (A): Lose 25 Prestige, 10 Legitimacy, +50 Relation with Ming.
(B): Gain 25 Prestige, 10 Legitimacy, -100 Relation with Ming.
Requirements: Must be at least 1500, Ming must exist, Japan must exist, must not be at War with either.
New Trade Mission Sent
Description: Our decision to apologize for our mishap has paid off in the long run; a new trade mission was sent under our care and returned bearing gifts.
(A): The better part of valor has paid off.
Effect: Gain two year’s income and 50 Dip.
Requirements: At least ten years after choosing (A) in ‘Clash at Ningbo’, must not be at War with Ming.
The Portuguese Envoy
Background: St. Francis Xavier arrived in Japan in 1549 – first in Satsuma, and then moved onto Hirado. He then proceeded onto Yamaguchi with his small entourage, stopping there as he planned to continue onto the capital to convert the ‘King of Japan’ (when he arrived in 1551, Yoshiteru Ashikaga was in exile in Omi, and Xavier was further disappointed by being unable to meet the Emperor or the Enryakuji Priests due to a lack of gifts). Despite the immediate setback, Xavier learned an important lesson; the value of the regional Daimyo. Thus he went back to Yamaguchi. His first time in meeting Yoshitaka Ouchi did not go so well; Xavier and his entourage better resembled yamabushi than important foreigners, and Yoshitaka had listened to them out of politeness (and probable curiosity) because they had managed to draw crowds by preaching in the streets, but gave them nothing. This time Xavier came dressed in his finest cassock, bearing the seal of the Governor of Goa and many gifts (amongst them a triple-barreled musket). It went much better this time around; Yoshitaka gave Xavier not only a license to preach, but an abandoned temple too. The Yamaguchi mission would quickly grow to five hundred converts before Xavier left (Cosme de Torres would later record he had baptized two thousand people by the time he was forced to leave about six years later), and would turn into the Jesuit’s first center of operations.
Description: My lord, a foreign missionary is requesting permission to establish a mission in Yamaguchi. Though some say he is nothing more than a beggar, he comes as an envoy of his home country as well, and patronizing him and his order will undoubtedly help our trade.
(A): Grant him a license and a temple.
(B): Politely thank him for visiting.
Effects: (A): Gain the ‘First Mission’ modifier (+2 Heathen Tolerance, +5% Institution Spread, +2 Local Trade Power, +1 Unrest, -1% Missionary Strength) in Suo indefinitely. Gain 25 Adm.
(B): Gain 10 Prestige and 10 Legitimacy.
Requirements: Japan must be discovered, Ouchi owns Suo, Suo is Shinto and has ‘Kyoto of the West’ modifier.
Relocation of the Imperial Court:
Background: After the Ouchi’s disastrous defeat at Gassantoda in 1542, Yoshitaka grew increasingly disinterested in governance and stopped expanding outright, instead devoting his time and energy to cultural pursuits and trade. This saw the militaristic faction of the Ouchi, led by chief retainer Harukata Sue – known as the ‘Samurai-General Without Peer in the Western Provinces’, and for good reason – suffer not only a sharp decline in gravitas, but many jealous political rivals plot against Harukata. Harukata pleaded with Yoshitaka to begin reasserting his authority over his vassals (it was this lull that allowed the Mori to gain undisputed control of Aki), but Yoshitaka paid no heed; he was in the middle of planning his most ambitious and expensive project – the complete relocation of the Imperial Court from the devastation of Kyoto to its more prosperous Western counterpart.
Description: Our strong ties to the Imperial Court and Shogunate have now led to some of our retainers proposing an idea that others would dismiss as insane; relocating the Imperial Court away from the fighting of the capital and to Yamaguchi. Though it would be costly – so costly, in fact, that we are the only ones who could possibly afford to undertake it – the benefits of it will be undeniable. However, there are many who say that the resources would be better invested into our war machine.
(A): Go ahead with it.
(B): Perhaps it would be better to focus on our domain’s military.
Effects: (A): Gain 25 Prestige and the ‘Relocated Imperial Court’ modifier (+1 Diplomatic Reputation, +1 Yearly Prestige) in Suo. Costs a year’s income, 50 Adm and 50 Dip.
(B): Gain 10 Army Tradition, 10 Navy Tradition and 50 Mil.
Requirements: Must be at least 1520, Ouchi owns Suo, Ouchi does not own Kyoto, Japan exists, Ouchi must not be at war with Japan, Suo must have ‘Kyoto of the West’ modifier.
Militarist Rebellion
Background: Ultimately, Harukata Sue and many other Ouchi vassals got fed up with the favor Yoshitaka showed to the Imperial Courtiers that had moved to Yamaguchi headed of the Imperial Family. The last straw came for Harukata when some of the administrators accused him of plotting rebellion – due to his constant warnings to Yoshitaka about it, as they were playing out in both Aki and Chikuzen – and urged Yoshitaka to order him to commit suicide. So, Harukata did the only thing he could to save the Ouchi after being cleared of suspected treason; launch a rebellion himself. Most of the clan’s retainers were on his side, and the rebellion went smoothly; by the time Harukata had tracked down Yoshitaka – who had fled Yamaguchi while Harukata purged most of the administrators and courtiers – the forces loyal to the once-mighty Daimyo that had accompanied him dwindled down from hundreds to just twenty. Afterwards, Harukata appointed Yoshinaga Ouchi, the younger brother of Yoshishige Otomo, as his rubber stamp while he went on the warpath. (Yoshinaga was not just a random choice; the Otomo had had a love-hate relationship with the Ouchi, and pacifying them would be a huge step forward to rebuilding the Ouchi. In addition, Yoshinaga had previously been adopted by Yoshitaka after the death of his only son at Gassantoda, only to be sent back when he had another son. That Yoshinaga was the biological grandson of Yoshioki, who had married a daughter to Yoshiaki Otomo, was another plus.)
Description: Disgruntled over the supposed excess of the Imperial Courtiers and being pushed out of the politics of the clan, many vassals have now risen up in revolt and surrounded Yamaguchi. While the possibility of negotiation remains, a swift end to this would be best to avoid the collapse of the clan.
(A): Slay <Rulername>! The Ouchi do not need a weak leader!
(B): Reconcile with the rebels.
(C): Put down this rebellion!
Effects: (A): Ruler and Heir are killed, places random ruler of the Ouchi Dynasty on the throne with at least 4 Mil and a moderate claim. Removes ‘Relocated Imperial Court’ modifier in Suo. Lose 100 Adm.
(B): Lose 3 Stability, 100 Dip, gain 2 Corruption, all provinces gain 3 Unrest.
(C): Generate Size 2 Noble Rebellion in Suo, Lose 1 Stability, 25 Army Tradition and 100 Mil.
Requirements: Must be within five years of picking (A) in ‘Relocation of the Imperial Court’, Ouchi must control Suo, Ruler Mil must have less than 4.
Growth of the Yamaguchi Mission
Background: Francis Xavier left for Goa a few months before Harukata launched his rebellion. In the ensuing anarchy, the Jesuit’s residence was broken into by looters. Torres and his companions barely managed to escape, but things returned to normal once Harukata managed to reassert control over the city. Yoshinaga continued Yoshitaka’s policy of religious toleration – part of this was in due to a letter his brother sent, asking him to protect the mission there – and Harukata seemed to be perfectly content to not only leave the Yoshinaga in charge of administering the city, but the mission and their five hundred or so converts alone. By the time they were forced to leave after the Mori invasion only six years later, the number had more than quadrupled, and included nobility. Clearly, the mission saw some success, and would have continued to had the Ouchi survived.
Description: The mission established by that foreign pater has grown increasingly popular – even some of our vassals have converted to his faith. Now there are multiple churches in Yamaguchi and thousands of converts, and refugees from less tolerant domains have come to settle in ours.
(A): Perhaps we should investigate this new creed ourselves?
(B): Issue a more formal edict of toleration.
(C): We can tolerate this no longer!
Effects: (A): Changes religion to Catholic, lose 2 Stability.
(B): Changes religion in Suo to Catholic.
(C): Suo loses 1 Tax, 1 Production and ‘First Mission’ modifier.
Requirements: Will trigger at least twenty years after picking (A) in ‘The Portuguese Envoy’, Suo must have the ‘First Mission’ modifier, must have at least 1 Stability, Suo must be Shinto.
Sack of Yamaguchi
Background: Though Harukata Sue’s men looted Yamaguchi, Yoshinaga was able to restore some of the prosperity that was lost. The true deathblow for Yamaguchi came when the Mori sacked the city in 1557 (combined with their anti-Western sentiments that saw a drop in trade) – thus began its decline from arguably the most important and prestigious city in western Japan to the least populated prefectural capital nowadays.
Description: With the fall of Yamaguchi, our enemies now roam the streets, looting and pillaging everything they can. Even if we retake the city, it will not be the same.
(A): Oh, the Humanity!
(For Conqueror) Description: Our troops have been let loose upon Yamaguchi, snatching up everything they can find. While undoubtedly devastating for the city, this will be a windfall for our coffers.
(A): The price of War.
Effects: (A): Suo loses 2 Tax, 2 Production, ‘Kyoto of the West’, ‘First Mission’ and ‘Relocated Court’ modifiers, tradegood changes to Grain. Owner gains 2 year’s income.
Requirements: Suo’s owner is not Ouchi, owner is not Japan, Suo must have ‘Kyoto of the West’ modifier.
Background: Before the famous Masahiro, there was his father Norihiro; the Ouchi Daimyo at the start of the game. He is not as well remembered as his son due to his lack of great military exploits, but had it not been for Norihiro’s administrative efforts, Masahiro would have never been able to conduct them. While it was common for Shugo to work out of Kyoto at the time, the Ouchi were one of the first Daimyo to frequently return to their actual powerbase and conduct business there; Norhiro was able to consolidate the Ouchi administration and control of his vassals by doing so under the pretext of subduing belligerent clans in his holdings in northern Kyushu. Part of the Ouchi’s centralization efforts involved making an early and uneasy switch from land to rice in evaluation of fiefs, and other times it involved uprooting vassal clans from their ancestral homes and relocating them to other domains provinces away to maintain effective control over them. In this particular instance, it involved taking a detailed inventory of their vassals land to determine not only how much it was worth, but to settle discrepancies within their own records.
Description: My Lord, it has come to our attention that some of our assessments of our vassals land does not match our own records. Perhaps we should conduct a detailed survey of their land to ensure we are getting all of our due?
(A): Conduct it!
(B): Let us focus on our demesne.
Effects: (A): Two Random Owned Provinces gain 1 Tax, 1 Manpower and 2 Unrest. Costs half a year’s income.
(B): Gain 5 Prestige and 10 Adm.
Requirements: Must be before 1470, at peace, and ruler must have an ADM Skill of at least 3.
Kyoto of the West
Background: When the Onin War hit, it was mostly a dud (obviously this would not be the case ingame). The Western and Eastern Armies that had gathered in Kyoto engaged more in staring contests and destroying infrastructure than in actual fighting. By the time that Masahiro Ouchi took over the remnants of Western Army in light of Sozen Yamana’s death, much of the city has already been damaged in limited sorties and military takeovers. Masahiro made it worse by burning down his own residence in Kyoto – one last act of defiance given that the Hosokawa had ostensibly won - and then proceeded to do the same to Nijo Palace. However, the Ouchi’s residential move from the capital to their home of Yamaguchi and the sudden displacement of many families did present Masahiro with a golden opportunity; to turn Yamaguchi into a new Kyoto. And so began the rise of Yamaguchi as the most important city in Western Japan for a century.
Description: With war engulfing the capital, not only have many prominent families been displaced – nobles, merchants, scholars, artists, silk weavers and so forth – but we are afforded the opportunity to focus our full attentions on our capital of Yamaguchi. Though costly, inviting these refugees to settle in the Capital will allow us to transform it into a city truly worthy to rival Kyoto.
(A): Might as well renovate our castle while we’re at it…
(B): We can’t afford it.
Effects: (A): Gain 1 Tax and Production in Suo, and tradegood changes to Silk. Gain ‘Kyoto of the West’ provincial modifier (+8 Local Trade Power, +1 Naval Forcelimit, -5% Development Cost, +5% Institution Spread) in Suo indefinitely. Costs 50 Adm, 25 Dip and a year’s income.
(B): Lose 15 Prestige.
Requirements: Is between 1460 and 1500, one of Hosokawa, Yamana or Japan exists and owns Kyoto, and is at war, Ouchi owns Suo.
Clash at Ningbo
Background: After the Onin War, the Ouchi were able to wriggle their way into the Tally Trade that had been dominated by the Hosokawa due to their domination of the capital. The Ouchi delegation of 1523 arrived at Ningbo before the Hosokawa, who were also using outdated tallies – however, the Hosokawa delegation was able to be received first due to some well-placed bribes. This angered the Ouchi (though, as Yoshioki Ouchi had marched to the capital, defeated the Hosokawa and restored Yoshitane Ashikaga in 1508, the previous enmity between the clans probably had a hand) and they killed one of the Hosokawa delegates, many of their men, sunk their ship and then looted some of Ningbo and headed home after dispatching a Chinese fleet. The aftermath was the Ming closing down Ningbo to foreign trade, and the Ouchi, ironically, dominating the last trade missions (it appears that the Ming Authorities made their punitive demands to the Ouchi, believing them to be representatives of the Shogun and unaware of their role in backing the mission. Nothing would come of them obviously, and the Ming would shut down trade with Japan with the Ouchi’s fall in 1557).
Description: My lord, word has reached us that our members of the latest trade mission have killed the delegates from a rival clan and pillaged Ningbo. Now the Ming Authorities are demanding that we turn over those responsible. Denying them will obviously not bode well for trade.
(A): Hand over the culprits.
(B): We bow only to the Shogun and Emperor!
Effects: (A): Lose 25 Prestige, 10 Legitimacy, +50 Relation with Ming.
(B): Gain 25 Prestige, 10 Legitimacy, -100 Relation with Ming.
Requirements: Must be at least 1500, Ming must exist, Japan must exist, must not be at War with either.
New Trade Mission Sent
Description: Our decision to apologize for our mishap has paid off in the long run; a new trade mission was sent under our care and returned bearing gifts.
(A): The better part of valor has paid off.
Effect: Gain two year’s income and 50 Dip.
Requirements: At least ten years after choosing (A) in ‘Clash at Ningbo’, must not be at War with Ming.
The Portuguese Envoy
Background: St. Francis Xavier arrived in Japan in 1549 – first in Satsuma, and then moved onto Hirado. He then proceeded onto Yamaguchi with his small entourage, stopping there as he planned to continue onto the capital to convert the ‘King of Japan’ (when he arrived in 1551, Yoshiteru Ashikaga was in exile in Omi, and Xavier was further disappointed by being unable to meet the Emperor or the Enryakuji Priests due to a lack of gifts). Despite the immediate setback, Xavier learned an important lesson; the value of the regional Daimyo. Thus he went back to Yamaguchi. His first time in meeting Yoshitaka Ouchi did not go so well; Xavier and his entourage better resembled yamabushi than important foreigners, and Yoshitaka had listened to them out of politeness (and probable curiosity) because they had managed to draw crowds by preaching in the streets, but gave them nothing. This time Xavier came dressed in his finest cassock, bearing the seal of the Governor of Goa and many gifts (amongst them a triple-barreled musket). It went much better this time around; Yoshitaka gave Xavier not only a license to preach, but an abandoned temple too. The Yamaguchi mission would quickly grow to five hundred converts before Xavier left (Cosme de Torres would later record he had baptized two thousand people by the time he was forced to leave about six years later), and would turn into the Jesuit’s first center of operations.
Description: My lord, a foreign missionary is requesting permission to establish a mission in Yamaguchi. Though some say he is nothing more than a beggar, he comes as an envoy of his home country as well, and patronizing him and his order will undoubtedly help our trade.
(A): Grant him a license and a temple.
(B): Politely thank him for visiting.
Effects: (A): Gain the ‘First Mission’ modifier (+2 Heathen Tolerance, +5% Institution Spread, +2 Local Trade Power, +1 Unrest, -1% Missionary Strength) in Suo indefinitely. Gain 25 Adm.
(B): Gain 10 Prestige and 10 Legitimacy.
Requirements: Japan must be discovered, Ouchi owns Suo, Suo is Shinto and has ‘Kyoto of the West’ modifier.
Relocation of the Imperial Court:
Background: After the Ouchi’s disastrous defeat at Gassantoda in 1542, Yoshitaka grew increasingly disinterested in governance and stopped expanding outright, instead devoting his time and energy to cultural pursuits and trade. This saw the militaristic faction of the Ouchi, led by chief retainer Harukata Sue – known as the ‘Samurai-General Without Peer in the Western Provinces’, and for good reason – suffer not only a sharp decline in gravitas, but many jealous political rivals plot against Harukata. Harukata pleaded with Yoshitaka to begin reasserting his authority over his vassals (it was this lull that allowed the Mori to gain undisputed control of Aki), but Yoshitaka paid no heed; he was in the middle of planning his most ambitious and expensive project – the complete relocation of the Imperial Court from the devastation of Kyoto to its more prosperous Western counterpart.
Description: Our strong ties to the Imperial Court and Shogunate have now led to some of our retainers proposing an idea that others would dismiss as insane; relocating the Imperial Court away from the fighting of the capital and to Yamaguchi. Though it would be costly – so costly, in fact, that we are the only ones who could possibly afford to undertake it – the benefits of it will be undeniable. However, there are many who say that the resources would be better invested into our war machine.
(A): Go ahead with it.
(B): Perhaps it would be better to focus on our domain’s military.
Effects: (A): Gain 25 Prestige and the ‘Relocated Imperial Court’ modifier (+1 Diplomatic Reputation, +1 Yearly Prestige) in Suo. Costs a year’s income, 50 Adm and 50 Dip.
(B): Gain 10 Army Tradition, 10 Navy Tradition and 50 Mil.
Requirements: Must be at least 1520, Ouchi owns Suo, Ouchi does not own Kyoto, Japan exists, Ouchi must not be at war with Japan, Suo must have ‘Kyoto of the West’ modifier.
Militarist Rebellion
Background: Ultimately, Harukata Sue and many other Ouchi vassals got fed up with the favor Yoshitaka showed to the Imperial Courtiers that had moved to Yamaguchi headed of the Imperial Family. The last straw came for Harukata when some of the administrators accused him of plotting rebellion – due to his constant warnings to Yoshitaka about it, as they were playing out in both Aki and Chikuzen – and urged Yoshitaka to order him to commit suicide. So, Harukata did the only thing he could to save the Ouchi after being cleared of suspected treason; launch a rebellion himself. Most of the clan’s retainers were on his side, and the rebellion went smoothly; by the time Harukata had tracked down Yoshitaka – who had fled Yamaguchi while Harukata purged most of the administrators and courtiers – the forces loyal to the once-mighty Daimyo that had accompanied him dwindled down from hundreds to just twenty. Afterwards, Harukata appointed Yoshinaga Ouchi, the younger brother of Yoshishige Otomo, as his rubber stamp while he went on the warpath. (Yoshinaga was not just a random choice; the Otomo had had a love-hate relationship with the Ouchi, and pacifying them would be a huge step forward to rebuilding the Ouchi. In addition, Yoshinaga had previously been adopted by Yoshitaka after the death of his only son at Gassantoda, only to be sent back when he had another son. That Yoshinaga was the biological grandson of Yoshioki, who had married a daughter to Yoshiaki Otomo, was another plus.)
Description: Disgruntled over the supposed excess of the Imperial Courtiers and being pushed out of the politics of the clan, many vassals have now risen up in revolt and surrounded Yamaguchi. While the possibility of negotiation remains, a swift end to this would be best to avoid the collapse of the clan.
(A): Slay <Rulername>! The Ouchi do not need a weak leader!
(B): Reconcile with the rebels.
(C): Put down this rebellion!
Effects: (A): Ruler and Heir are killed, places random ruler of the Ouchi Dynasty on the throne with at least 4 Mil and a moderate claim. Removes ‘Relocated Imperial Court’ modifier in Suo. Lose 100 Adm.
(B): Lose 3 Stability, 100 Dip, gain 2 Corruption, all provinces gain 3 Unrest.
(C): Generate Size 2 Noble Rebellion in Suo, Lose 1 Stability, 25 Army Tradition and 100 Mil.
Requirements: Must be within five years of picking (A) in ‘Relocation of the Imperial Court’, Ouchi must control Suo, Ruler Mil must have less than 4.
Growth of the Yamaguchi Mission
Background: Francis Xavier left for Goa a few months before Harukata launched his rebellion. In the ensuing anarchy, the Jesuit’s residence was broken into by looters. Torres and his companions barely managed to escape, but things returned to normal once Harukata managed to reassert control over the city. Yoshinaga continued Yoshitaka’s policy of religious toleration – part of this was in due to a letter his brother sent, asking him to protect the mission there – and Harukata seemed to be perfectly content to not only leave the Yoshinaga in charge of administering the city, but the mission and their five hundred or so converts alone. By the time they were forced to leave after the Mori invasion only six years later, the number had more than quadrupled, and included nobility. Clearly, the mission saw some success, and would have continued to had the Ouchi survived.
Description: The mission established by that foreign pater has grown increasingly popular – even some of our vassals have converted to his faith. Now there are multiple churches in Yamaguchi and thousands of converts, and refugees from less tolerant domains have come to settle in ours.
(A): Perhaps we should investigate this new creed ourselves?
(B): Issue a more formal edict of toleration.
(C): We can tolerate this no longer!
Effects: (A): Changes religion to Catholic, lose 2 Stability.
(B): Changes religion in Suo to Catholic.
(C): Suo loses 1 Tax, 1 Production and ‘First Mission’ modifier.
Requirements: Will trigger at least twenty years after picking (A) in ‘The Portuguese Envoy’, Suo must have the ‘First Mission’ modifier, must have at least 1 Stability, Suo must be Shinto.
Sack of Yamaguchi
Background: Though Harukata Sue’s men looted Yamaguchi, Yoshinaga was able to restore some of the prosperity that was lost. The true deathblow for Yamaguchi came when the Mori sacked the city in 1557 (combined with their anti-Western sentiments that saw a drop in trade) – thus began its decline from arguably the most important and prestigious city in western Japan to the least populated prefectural capital nowadays.
Description: With the fall of Yamaguchi, our enemies now roam the streets, looting and pillaging everything they can. Even if we retake the city, it will not be the same.
(A): Oh, the Humanity!
(For Conqueror) Description: Our troops have been let loose upon Yamaguchi, snatching up everything they can find. While undoubtedly devastating for the city, this will be a windfall for our coffers.
(A): The price of War.
Effects: (A): Suo loses 2 Tax, 2 Production, ‘Kyoto of the West’, ‘First Mission’ and ‘Relocated Court’ modifiers, tradegood changes to Grain. Owner gains 2 year’s income.
Requirements: Suo’s owner is not Ouchi, owner is not Japan, Suo must have ‘Kyoto of the West’ modifier.
Amago:
The Amago are often forgotten for what they were; a major power of their time, and instead often occupy a footnote as ‘that clan that the Mori conquered after Itsukushima’. In 1444 the Amago, from their base of Gassantoda Castle, were nominal vassals of the Kyogoku clan – however, as the Kyogoku’s other lands of Omi and Hida are not provinces, it’s just easier to represent them as being independent.
Under Tsunehisa – who managed to take direct control of Izumo by taking advantage of the Kyogoku family feud – the Amago experienced a meteoric rise to power, snatching up large tracks of the surrounding provinces while Yoshioki Ouchi, who would have normally intervened, was away protecting Yoshitane Ashikaga in the capital. By the time he returned, Tsunehisa would prove to be the only Daimyo in western Japan capable of going toe to toe with the mighty Ouchi, and the Amago would outlast them for about a decade after their fall.
Kyogoku Civil War
Background: As the Amago were still nominal vassals of the Kyogoku, they were obliged to pick a side in the infighting. Tsunehisa, of course, used this as an opportunity to expand his own territory by conquering the Kokujin who opposed his nominal lord. Tsunehisa continued serving his lord until he died of illness – he then entrusted Tsunehisa with his young son, who shortly disappeared from records afterwards. The Amago then began their rise to power.
Description: Our nominal lords, the Kyogoku, are like many other Shugo; divided into multiple branches across the distant and noncontiguous provinces they hold, and failing to exercise effective control over their vassals. This time, however, they now fight with themselves over who is the rightful ruler of Izumo – now is the ideal opportunity to expand our own demesne and make it known that it is us.
(A): Let us attack the Kokujin that have sided against our ‘lord’.
(B): Maybe we should rid ourselves of the Kyogoku while we have the chance, too.
Effects: (A): Gain 1 Tax and 2 Unrest in Izumo. Gain half a year’s income.
(B): Gain 1 Tax, 1 Manpower, and Size 1 Noble Rebellion in Izumo. Gain 1 Stability.
Requirements: Is before 1500, Amago own Izumo.
Purge the Shinguto
Background: Haruhisa was the grandson of Tsunehisa, his father dying unexpectedly in a campaign against the Yamana. Though he brought the Amago to their territorial heights, and managed to bring them back from the brink of destruction (that he caused), he did not command the respect his grandfather did amongst him family. Kunihisa Amago, leader of the Amago’s elite Shingu Army, had been openly challenging him on multiple occasions – the result was Haruhisa ultimately purging Kunihisa and his vassals to maintain control over the Amago. While it did stabilize the clan at a time they needed stability, it killed off some of their best warriors at a time they needed them. Rumors of Motonari Mori’s involvement abounded soon afterwards.
Description: My lord, one of our branch families have begun openly defying our laws. While this is a direct challenge to our authority, the lead our elite forces, having sufficiently integrated themselves to be indispensable to us. Should we allow this to continue, we could face a civil war, but punishing them will only alienate some of our best warriors.
(A): There can be no exceptions to the law. Purge them.
(B): Let them off with a warning.
Effects: (A): Gain 1 Stability and 10 Legitimacy. Lose 20 Army Tradition.
(B): Lose 1 Stability and 25 Legitimacy. Gain 20 Army Tradition.
Requirements: Must be at least 1500, Ruler must have less than 4 Mil.
Amago Braves
Background: After the Amago lost Gassantoda castle in 1566, it was curtains for them. Unlike with Yoshinaga Ouchi, the Mori allowed the incompetent Yoshihisa Amago to live out his life quietly as a monk, while his much more competent brother Tomohisa, who had led the frontline defenses of the castle, was sentenced to house arrest. However, many Amago retainers refused to lay down arms – some of them were older chief retainers, but the majority were younger warriors that Tomohisa had mentored in the four year siege of Gassantoda. Chief amongst the hierarchy of them were Yukimori Yamanaka and Hisatsuna Tachihara; members of two of the oldest Amago vassal families who managed to convince Katsuhisa Amago, son of the purged Sanehisa Amago, to come out of retirement (he had been living out his life as a monk). Pro-Amago revolts then rose up all across Bingo, Izumo and Hoki; the Mori managed to put most of them down, but the Amago Restoration Army had solidified its hold on Hoki and began waging Guerilla Warfare on the Mori. In the midst of all of this, a group of ten warriors that Yukimori led would go down in legend as the Amago Braves; being accredited with many feats that are impossible. In fact, we only know that three of them actually existed. Nonetheless, Yukimori, better known as Shikanosuke, would go down in history as an ideal samurai.
Description: Our recent losses as of late are beginning to trouble our vassals. Whereas most would consider abandoning their lord, ten of our most prominent vassals have banded together to form what many are now calling ‘The Braves’ to help restore our clan to its former glory.
(A): They will help make the Amago great again!
Effects: (A): Gain a general with 60 Army Tradition.
Requirements: Have at least 5 War Exhaustion, is at War, at least twenty years after picking (A) in ‘Purge the Shinguto’.
Background: As the Amago were still nominal vassals of the Kyogoku, they were obliged to pick a side in the infighting. Tsunehisa, of course, used this as an opportunity to expand his own territory by conquering the Kokujin who opposed his nominal lord. Tsunehisa continued serving his lord until he died of illness – he then entrusted Tsunehisa with his young son, who shortly disappeared from records afterwards. The Amago then began their rise to power.
Description: Our nominal lords, the Kyogoku, are like many other Shugo; divided into multiple branches across the distant and noncontiguous provinces they hold, and failing to exercise effective control over their vassals. This time, however, they now fight with themselves over who is the rightful ruler of Izumo – now is the ideal opportunity to expand our own demesne and make it known that it is us.
(A): Let us attack the Kokujin that have sided against our ‘lord’.
(B): Maybe we should rid ourselves of the Kyogoku while we have the chance, too.
Effects: (A): Gain 1 Tax and 2 Unrest in Izumo. Gain half a year’s income.
(B): Gain 1 Tax, 1 Manpower, and Size 1 Noble Rebellion in Izumo. Gain 1 Stability.
Requirements: Is before 1500, Amago own Izumo.
Purge the Shinguto
Background: Haruhisa was the grandson of Tsunehisa, his father dying unexpectedly in a campaign against the Yamana. Though he brought the Amago to their territorial heights, and managed to bring them back from the brink of destruction (that he caused), he did not command the respect his grandfather did amongst him family. Kunihisa Amago, leader of the Amago’s elite Shingu Army, had been openly challenging him on multiple occasions – the result was Haruhisa ultimately purging Kunihisa and his vassals to maintain control over the Amago. While it did stabilize the clan at a time they needed stability, it killed off some of their best warriors at a time they needed them. Rumors of Motonari Mori’s involvement abounded soon afterwards.
Description: My lord, one of our branch families have begun openly defying our laws. While this is a direct challenge to our authority, the lead our elite forces, having sufficiently integrated themselves to be indispensable to us. Should we allow this to continue, we could face a civil war, but punishing them will only alienate some of our best warriors.
(A): There can be no exceptions to the law. Purge them.
(B): Let them off with a warning.
Effects: (A): Gain 1 Stability and 10 Legitimacy. Lose 20 Army Tradition.
(B): Lose 1 Stability and 25 Legitimacy. Gain 20 Army Tradition.
Requirements: Must be at least 1500, Ruler must have less than 4 Mil.
Amago Braves
Background: After the Amago lost Gassantoda castle in 1566, it was curtains for them. Unlike with Yoshinaga Ouchi, the Mori allowed the incompetent Yoshihisa Amago to live out his life quietly as a monk, while his much more competent brother Tomohisa, who had led the frontline defenses of the castle, was sentenced to house arrest. However, many Amago retainers refused to lay down arms – some of them were older chief retainers, but the majority were younger warriors that Tomohisa had mentored in the four year siege of Gassantoda. Chief amongst the hierarchy of them were Yukimori Yamanaka and Hisatsuna Tachihara; members of two of the oldest Amago vassal families who managed to convince Katsuhisa Amago, son of the purged Sanehisa Amago, to come out of retirement (he had been living out his life as a monk). Pro-Amago revolts then rose up all across Bingo, Izumo and Hoki; the Mori managed to put most of them down, but the Amago Restoration Army had solidified its hold on Hoki and began waging Guerilla Warfare on the Mori. In the midst of all of this, a group of ten warriors that Yukimori led would go down in legend as the Amago Braves; being accredited with many feats that are impossible. In fact, we only know that three of them actually existed. Nonetheless, Yukimori, better known as Shikanosuke, would go down in history as an ideal samurai.
Description: Our recent losses as of late are beginning to trouble our vassals. Whereas most would consider abandoning their lord, ten of our most prominent vassals have banded together to form what many are now calling ‘The Braves’ to help restore our clan to its former glory.
(A): They will help make the Amago great again!
Effects: (A): Gain a general with 60 Army Tradition.
Requirements: Have at least 5 War Exhaustion, is at War, at least twenty years after picking (A) in ‘Purge the Shinguto’.
Hosokawa:
The Hosokawa were the biggest powerplayer in Kansai politics for centuries, and would continue to be for another after gamestart. Despite winning it, they left the Onin War weaker than they entered, and the assassination of Masamoto Hosokawa would only throw them into a civil war that, due to constant court intrigue and assassinations, ultimately paved the way for the rise of Nagayoshi Miyoshi.
However, unlike their other rivals – Ouchi, Yamana, Hatakeyama and Shiba – the Hosokawa would ironically survive under a cadet branch by not having real power. Revived to prominence by Fujitaka who was critical in both the revival of the Ashikaga Shogunate and rise of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, they would later get land in Tango, and then be moved to even more in Kyushu under Tadaoki. Nowadays they’ve picked back up their ancient role as ministers; Morihiro Hosokawa was the 79th Prime Minister of Japan.
Merchant Council of Sakai
Background: In 1484, central authority in Japan had collapsed. Even with the Hosokawa now in charge of Kyoto, many provinces around the capital experienced a surge in autonomy. Chief amongst them was not any province, but a single city; Sakai. It was in this year that Sakai formed its autonomous merchant council and ruled themselves; with a population of 40,000, an ideal location on the Yamato River, and perhaps the highest standard of living in Japan, they were a true merchant city and conducted their own affairs (Jesuit Gaspar Vilela would compare the city to Venice). However, as they had no walls, they instead established a symbiotic relationship with nearby Daimyo to ensure a flow of business into their lands – hence why the Hosokawa backed missions to China were dominated by Sakai merchants (and, notably, the Ouchi’s by Hakata merchants). Sakai later capitulated to Nobunaga Oda, and became one of the two largest producers of firearms in Japan, the other being the factory in Kunitomo.
Description: My lord, it has come to our attention that the citizens of Sakai have formed their own merchant council in opposition to our rule. While it might be a bad precedent to set, allowing them their autonomy would undoubtedly put us in a good position to direct trade.
(A): Allow this in exchange for acknowledging our protection.
(B): We cannot abide this threat. Abolish the council and seize their assets.
Effects: (A): Gain the ‘Autonomous Merchant City’ (+2 Goods Produced, +25% Local Trade Power, -25% Local Tax) modifier in Settsu. Lose 10 Prestige.
(B): Settsu loses 1 Tax and 1 Production and gains 2 Unrest. Gain a year’s income.
Requirements: Is before 1500, Hosokawa owns Settsu, Yamana exists.
Three Heirs
Background: Masamoto, the son and heir of Katsumoto, had no children of his own. Thus, he adopted one; Sumiyuki, who he later disinherited and instead decided to appoint Sumitomo as his heir. The rift was inevitable. It didn’t help that Masamoto kept waffling on the issue, even killing a vassal of Sumitomo and then deciding on Takakuni. Sumiyuki ultimately got fed up with his indecisiveness, broke into Masatomo’s house, and killed him while he was in the bath in 1507. Four decades of internal strife would follow.
Description: We currently lack an heir, and further find ourselves in a precarious situation; two possible contenders for adoption. Both have their own specialties, but adopting one will be sure to anger the other. Who should we gamble with?
(A): The Administrative one.
(B): The Diplomatic One.
(C): The Militaristic one.
Effects: (A): Lose 1 Stability. Gain an heir of the Hosokawa Dynasty with at least 3 Adm and a moderate claim.
(B): Lose 1 Stability. Gain an heir of the Hosokawa Dynasty with at least 3 Dip and a moderate claim.
(C): Lose 1 Stability. Gain an heir of the Hosokawa Dynasty with at least 3 Mil and a moderate claim.
Requirements: Is before 1550, Hosokawa does not have an heir, is not at war with Japan.
Hosokawa Civil War:
Background: After Masamoto’s murder, Sumiyuki chased Sumimoto away to Omi, only for the Miyoshi to raise an army in support of Sumimoto. Sumimoto, now allied with Yukinaga Miyoshi and Takakuni, returned to Settsu and defeated Sumiyuki. Afterwards a rift developed between Takakuni and Sumiyuki; this time over the Shogunate, as Yoshioki Ouchi was marching towards the capital to restore Yoshitane Ashikaga. Long story short, Sumimoto’s Shogun died and he was exiled again, Yoshitane was restored and then later expelled in favor of Yoshiharu Ashikaga, Yukinaga Miyoshi was killed, Yoshioki returned to Yamaguchi and Takakuni was later killed by Sumitomo’s son Harumoto, and Yukinaga’s son Motonaga.
Description: Whatever side we chose would have resulted in civil war; we knew it then, and we see it now. Vassals are now picking their sides, and our neighboring clans look on in anticipation.
(A): We have to end this quickly.
Effects: (A): Generate Size 2 Pretender Rebels in the capital, and another Size 1 Pretender Rebels in a random province.
Requirements: Heir generated in ‘Three Heirs’ succeeds the Hosokawa throne.
Rise of the Miyoshi
Background: After Harumoto seized power, he Motonaga Miyoshi, who he was beginning to grow afraid of. It was this act that, ironically, ensured the Miyoshi’s rise to power; Motonaga’s young son, Nagayoshi, was spared and allowed to retain his land. Nagayoshi would then use the familial connections that Motonaga had built up to exact his revenge on Harumoto once the Hosokawa had gotten caught up in yet another civil war. The Miyoshi, though far more short-lived, would prove to be significantly more successful than them.
Description: The previous chaos of the civil war has finally come to a conclusion, but its effects are still felt throughout the clan. Now the son of one of the vassals slain in the previous conflict has amassed a significant force by taking advantage of what infighting remains and now openly challenges us for rule of the domain.
(A): Once we crush this final rebellion, our rule will be secure!
(B): The Hosokawa have mismanaged the domain long enough!
Effects: (A): Generate Size 3 Pretender Rebels in a Random Owned Province. Lose 1 Stability.
(B): Kill Ruler and Heir, gain a new ruler and heir of the Miyoshi Dynasty with a strong claim. Generate Size 2 Pretender Rebels in the Capital.
Requirements: Must be at least 1550, Hosokawa owns Settsu, Stability less than 3.
Background: In 1484, central authority in Japan had collapsed. Even with the Hosokawa now in charge of Kyoto, many provinces around the capital experienced a surge in autonomy. Chief amongst them was not any province, but a single city; Sakai. It was in this year that Sakai formed its autonomous merchant council and ruled themselves; with a population of 40,000, an ideal location on the Yamato River, and perhaps the highest standard of living in Japan, they were a true merchant city and conducted their own affairs (Jesuit Gaspar Vilela would compare the city to Venice). However, as they had no walls, they instead established a symbiotic relationship with nearby Daimyo to ensure a flow of business into their lands – hence why the Hosokawa backed missions to China were dominated by Sakai merchants (and, notably, the Ouchi’s by Hakata merchants). Sakai later capitulated to Nobunaga Oda, and became one of the two largest producers of firearms in Japan, the other being the factory in Kunitomo.
Description: My lord, it has come to our attention that the citizens of Sakai have formed their own merchant council in opposition to our rule. While it might be a bad precedent to set, allowing them their autonomy would undoubtedly put us in a good position to direct trade.
(A): Allow this in exchange for acknowledging our protection.
(B): We cannot abide this threat. Abolish the council and seize their assets.
Effects: (A): Gain the ‘Autonomous Merchant City’ (+2 Goods Produced, +25% Local Trade Power, -25% Local Tax) modifier in Settsu. Lose 10 Prestige.
(B): Settsu loses 1 Tax and 1 Production and gains 2 Unrest. Gain a year’s income.
Requirements: Is before 1500, Hosokawa owns Settsu, Yamana exists.
Three Heirs
Background: Masamoto, the son and heir of Katsumoto, had no children of his own. Thus, he adopted one; Sumiyuki, who he later disinherited and instead decided to appoint Sumitomo as his heir. The rift was inevitable. It didn’t help that Masamoto kept waffling on the issue, even killing a vassal of Sumitomo and then deciding on Takakuni. Sumiyuki ultimately got fed up with his indecisiveness, broke into Masatomo’s house, and killed him while he was in the bath in 1507. Four decades of internal strife would follow.
Description: We currently lack an heir, and further find ourselves in a precarious situation; two possible contenders for adoption. Both have their own specialties, but adopting one will be sure to anger the other. Who should we gamble with?
(A): The Administrative one.
(B): The Diplomatic One.
(C): The Militaristic one.
Effects: (A): Lose 1 Stability. Gain an heir of the Hosokawa Dynasty with at least 3 Adm and a moderate claim.
(B): Lose 1 Stability. Gain an heir of the Hosokawa Dynasty with at least 3 Dip and a moderate claim.
(C): Lose 1 Stability. Gain an heir of the Hosokawa Dynasty with at least 3 Mil and a moderate claim.
Requirements: Is before 1550, Hosokawa does not have an heir, is not at war with Japan.
Hosokawa Civil War:
Background: After Masamoto’s murder, Sumiyuki chased Sumimoto away to Omi, only for the Miyoshi to raise an army in support of Sumimoto. Sumimoto, now allied with Yukinaga Miyoshi and Takakuni, returned to Settsu and defeated Sumiyuki. Afterwards a rift developed between Takakuni and Sumiyuki; this time over the Shogunate, as Yoshioki Ouchi was marching towards the capital to restore Yoshitane Ashikaga. Long story short, Sumimoto’s Shogun died and he was exiled again, Yoshitane was restored and then later expelled in favor of Yoshiharu Ashikaga, Yukinaga Miyoshi was killed, Yoshioki returned to Yamaguchi and Takakuni was later killed by Sumitomo’s son Harumoto, and Yukinaga’s son Motonaga.
Description: Whatever side we chose would have resulted in civil war; we knew it then, and we see it now. Vassals are now picking their sides, and our neighboring clans look on in anticipation.
(A): We have to end this quickly.
Effects: (A): Generate Size 2 Pretender Rebels in the capital, and another Size 1 Pretender Rebels in a random province.
Requirements: Heir generated in ‘Three Heirs’ succeeds the Hosokawa throne.
Rise of the Miyoshi
Background: After Harumoto seized power, he Motonaga Miyoshi, who he was beginning to grow afraid of. It was this act that, ironically, ensured the Miyoshi’s rise to power; Motonaga’s young son, Nagayoshi, was spared and allowed to retain his land. Nagayoshi would then use the familial connections that Motonaga had built up to exact his revenge on Harumoto once the Hosokawa had gotten caught up in yet another civil war. The Miyoshi, though far more short-lived, would prove to be significantly more successful than them.
Description: The previous chaos of the civil war has finally come to a conclusion, but its effects are still felt throughout the clan. Now the son of one of the vassals slain in the previous conflict has amassed a significant force by taking advantage of what infighting remains and now openly challenges us for rule of the domain.
(A): Once we crush this final rebellion, our rule will be secure!
(B): The Hosokawa have mismanaged the domain long enough!
Effects: (A): Generate Size 3 Pretender Rebels in a Random Owned Province. Lose 1 Stability.
(B): Kill Ruler and Heir, gain a new ruler and heir of the Miyoshi Dynasty with a strong claim. Generate Size 2 Pretender Rebels in the Capital.
Requirements: Must be at least 1550, Hosokawa owns Settsu, Stability less than 3.
Otomo:
The Otomo, much like the Amago, are usually just presented as a footnote when compared to their neighbors – except unlike the Amago, they usually have the added insult of being shown as grossly incompetent. In reality, the Otomo were the most powerful clan in Kyushu pre-Mimigawa, and much like the Ouchi, their foreign interactions make good fuel for events.
While most perhaps most famous for Sorin’s conversion and fostering of Christianity, the Otomo engaged heavily in trade and international diplomacy; the Chikashige, the head in 1444, would send letters to some of the Indian Sultanates, and Sorin would later organize the first Japanese Embassy to Europe. The Otomo were also one of the clans most heavily involved in Chinese markets. The wealth and connections they got from such trade also transmitted into cultural pursuits; the Otomo were considered patrons of the arts.
Second Floor Incident
Background: Yoshiaki Otomo revived the Otomo as a major power on Kyushu by defeating the rebellious clans of Bungo and subjugating Chikugo again. However, his retainer band was rowdy, and to make things worse he was mercurial, and was on poor relations with his sons (as their mother was an Ouchi, and he had a strong dislike for the clan). The straw that broke the camel’s back came when Yoshiaki had another son from his favorite mistress, and decided to suddenly disinherit Yoshishige in favor of the infant. When his chief retainers objected, he killed two of them; the remaining two wounded him in turn and forced him out of his own castle. Yoshishige succeeded to clan leadership afterwards.
Description: The higher one climbs, the further one falls. Such is the case with our lord; felled by a group of retainers angry over his excesses and supporting the heir he was about to disinherit. The clan he worked so hard to build up has now been thrown into chaos.
(A): Let us hope Lord <Heirname> is more levelheaded.
Effects: (A): Kill Ruler, lose 1 Stability.
Requirements: Is before 1550, Ruler must have less than 4 Adm, Otomo is at peace, Otomo controls Bungo.
The Portuguese Missionary
Background: Before setting off for China, Francis Xavier made a short detour in Bungo. What drew him was news that a Portuguese ship had docked there; it happened to be the ship of Mendes Pinto, the Portuguese Merchant who first crashed on Tanegashima (who had since made a fortune on return trips). In addition to Pinto giving Xavier a donation to build the first church in Yamaguchi (that would fall to Torres’ care), Xavier was able to win an audience with the young Daimyo, Sorin Otomo. Xavier left quite the impression on him, and as a result the Otomo domain would become both a haven for Christians and international trade in the years to come.
Description: My lord, another one of the foreigners has come to Bungo; this time, however, he introduces himself as both an envoy of his king and a holy man. The Buddhist priests have dismissed him as nothing more than a beggar, but many of the nanban merchants vouch for him. He himself desires permission to spread his religion in our domain, and to maintain good relations between our peoples.
(A): Allow him and his companions to preach in our land.
(B): We’ll just settle for trade, thank you.
Effects: (A): Otomo gains the country modifier ‘Jesuit Missions’ (+10% Institution Spread, +10% Trade Efficiency, +2 Unrest, +10% Stability Cost) indefinitely.
(B): Gain 10 Prestige.
Requirements: Japan has been discovered, Otomo owns Bungo, Bungo is Shinto.
Sulfur Trading Rights
Background: One of the things Sorin tried to get a monopoly on was the sulfur and saltpeter trade. In addition to granting the merchants in his domain the right to buy Sulfur from where it was extracted (the tariffs he would collect on the would usually immediately be reinvested into business), he also sent letters to both the governor and bishop of Goa, informing them that he would be willing to pay any price they demanded if they directed all Portuguese saltpeter trade to Otomo ports. While ultimately his bid at a monopoly was unsuccessful, the Otomo did ultimately emerge as both one of the wealthiest and gunpowder filled domains in Japan (famously, one Otomo retainer lured a Shimazu army into his castle, and then proceeded to blow it up with the gunpowder stores).
Description: With the advent of firearms comes a sudden rise in demand for saltpeter and sulfur. We are in a unique position – not only in terms of trade, but due to our correspondences with the Portuguese – to become the leaders in this competitive market. How should we proceed?
(A): Allow Merchants in our domain to collect sulfur directly.
(B): Offer to pay higher prices for saltpeter.
Effects: (A): Two random owned provinces gain 1 Production.
(B): Lose half a year’s income. Gain 100 Mil.
Requirements: Japan has been discovered, must be at least 1540.
Revive the Tachibana Name
Background: The Tachibana were once one of the most powerful families in Japan, but the family died out, leaving the castle bearing their name in Chikuzen behind. The family succeeding ownership of the castle then, perhaps in homage or out of delusions of grandeur, then picked up the name. Akitoshi Tachibana was the last of his line to bear it; when he betrayed the Otomo in 1563 to the Mori. Sorin dispatched Akitsura Bekki to deal with him in 1569 – the result was the Akitsura, better known as Dosetsu, got Akitoshi’s castle and last name, and henceforth became an even more important pillar of the Otomo.
Description: The prestigious Tachibana clan of old is dead, my lord, but their name and castle remains. Having pried them both from the hands of a rebel, perhaps it would now be prudent to assign them to one of the branch clans?
(A): A good idea. The Tachibana will now continue as part of the Otomo.
(B): The Tachibana fell for a reason, and we should keep our talented retainers close to home.
Effects: (A): Gain a Level 2 Commandant at discount.
(B): Gain 1 Stability and 10 Army Tradition.
Requirements: Must be at least 1500. Otomo controls Bungo and Chikuzen.
The King of Bungo
Background: Once Sorin retired from clan leadership in 1578, he converted to Christianity. He had grown increasingly accommodating of the missionaries as the years passed, and stated he would have converted sooner had politics permitted it. Though there exists no hard data on the exact religious percentages of the Otomo domain, it is accepted that, barring Hizen, Bungo was perhaps the only province in Japan to ever near a Christian majority, in thanks to both Sorin’s patronage and the later conversion of many key Otomo retainers and members. This would later be cemented, ironically, by Yoshimune (who was notable for being less than lukewarm to Christianity before Kanbei Kuroda converted him), when he issued an Edict of Religious Freedom that allowed everyone in the Otomo domain to worship whatever God they pleased (the most curious of all was an addendum that barred this rule from himself of all people, a couple of other retainers, and Chikatsugu Shiga, who would later convert anyways and go on to serve the Otomo more faithfully than most of their Buddhist vassals).
Description: Many years have passed since we have welcomed the Jesuits into our lands, and Christianity has grown increasingly popular. Our continued patronage of the mission has seen a sharp increase in the number of converts in Bungo until the point where Christianity is now the dominant religion of the province. Though it would still upset the more conservative retainers of the clan, if there were ever a time to convert without much trouble, it would be now.
(A): ‘Our Father, who art in Heaven…’
(B): Continuing to support the missionaries in their endeavors should be enough for now.
Effects: (A): Changes religion to Catholic, changes religion in Bungo to Catholic, Otomo loses ‘Jesuit Missions’ modifier.
(B): Changes Religion in Bungo to Catholic.
Requirements: Japan is discovered, Bungo is Shinto, Otomo has ‘Jesuit Missions’ modifier, at least twenty years after (A) was picked in ‘The Portuguese Missionary’.
Background: Yoshiaki Otomo revived the Otomo as a major power on Kyushu by defeating the rebellious clans of Bungo and subjugating Chikugo again. However, his retainer band was rowdy, and to make things worse he was mercurial, and was on poor relations with his sons (as their mother was an Ouchi, and he had a strong dislike for the clan). The straw that broke the camel’s back came when Yoshiaki had another son from his favorite mistress, and decided to suddenly disinherit Yoshishige in favor of the infant. When his chief retainers objected, he killed two of them; the remaining two wounded him in turn and forced him out of his own castle. Yoshishige succeeded to clan leadership afterwards.
Description: The higher one climbs, the further one falls. Such is the case with our lord; felled by a group of retainers angry over his excesses and supporting the heir he was about to disinherit. The clan he worked so hard to build up has now been thrown into chaos.
(A): Let us hope Lord <Heirname> is more levelheaded.
Effects: (A): Kill Ruler, lose 1 Stability.
Requirements: Is before 1550, Ruler must have less than 4 Adm, Otomo is at peace, Otomo controls Bungo.
The Portuguese Missionary
Background: Before setting off for China, Francis Xavier made a short detour in Bungo. What drew him was news that a Portuguese ship had docked there; it happened to be the ship of Mendes Pinto, the Portuguese Merchant who first crashed on Tanegashima (who had since made a fortune on return trips). In addition to Pinto giving Xavier a donation to build the first church in Yamaguchi (that would fall to Torres’ care), Xavier was able to win an audience with the young Daimyo, Sorin Otomo. Xavier left quite the impression on him, and as a result the Otomo domain would become both a haven for Christians and international trade in the years to come.
Description: My lord, another one of the foreigners has come to Bungo; this time, however, he introduces himself as both an envoy of his king and a holy man. The Buddhist priests have dismissed him as nothing more than a beggar, but many of the nanban merchants vouch for him. He himself desires permission to spread his religion in our domain, and to maintain good relations between our peoples.
(A): Allow him and his companions to preach in our land.
(B): We’ll just settle for trade, thank you.
Effects: (A): Otomo gains the country modifier ‘Jesuit Missions’ (+10% Institution Spread, +10% Trade Efficiency, +2 Unrest, +10% Stability Cost) indefinitely.
(B): Gain 10 Prestige.
Requirements: Japan has been discovered, Otomo owns Bungo, Bungo is Shinto.
Sulfur Trading Rights
Background: One of the things Sorin tried to get a monopoly on was the sulfur and saltpeter trade. In addition to granting the merchants in his domain the right to buy Sulfur from where it was extracted (the tariffs he would collect on the would usually immediately be reinvested into business), he also sent letters to both the governor and bishop of Goa, informing them that he would be willing to pay any price they demanded if they directed all Portuguese saltpeter trade to Otomo ports. While ultimately his bid at a monopoly was unsuccessful, the Otomo did ultimately emerge as both one of the wealthiest and gunpowder filled domains in Japan (famously, one Otomo retainer lured a Shimazu army into his castle, and then proceeded to blow it up with the gunpowder stores).
Description: With the advent of firearms comes a sudden rise in demand for saltpeter and sulfur. We are in a unique position – not only in terms of trade, but due to our correspondences with the Portuguese – to become the leaders in this competitive market. How should we proceed?
(A): Allow Merchants in our domain to collect sulfur directly.
(B): Offer to pay higher prices for saltpeter.
Effects: (A): Two random owned provinces gain 1 Production.
(B): Lose half a year’s income. Gain 100 Mil.
Requirements: Japan has been discovered, must be at least 1540.
Revive the Tachibana Name
Background: The Tachibana were once one of the most powerful families in Japan, but the family died out, leaving the castle bearing their name in Chikuzen behind. The family succeeding ownership of the castle then, perhaps in homage or out of delusions of grandeur, then picked up the name. Akitoshi Tachibana was the last of his line to bear it; when he betrayed the Otomo in 1563 to the Mori. Sorin dispatched Akitsura Bekki to deal with him in 1569 – the result was the Akitsura, better known as Dosetsu, got Akitoshi’s castle and last name, and henceforth became an even more important pillar of the Otomo.
Description: The prestigious Tachibana clan of old is dead, my lord, but their name and castle remains. Having pried them both from the hands of a rebel, perhaps it would now be prudent to assign them to one of the branch clans?
(A): A good idea. The Tachibana will now continue as part of the Otomo.
(B): The Tachibana fell for a reason, and we should keep our talented retainers close to home.
Effects: (A): Gain a Level 2 Commandant at discount.
(B): Gain 1 Stability and 10 Army Tradition.
Requirements: Must be at least 1500. Otomo controls Bungo and Chikuzen.
The King of Bungo
Background: Once Sorin retired from clan leadership in 1578, he converted to Christianity. He had grown increasingly accommodating of the missionaries as the years passed, and stated he would have converted sooner had politics permitted it. Though there exists no hard data on the exact religious percentages of the Otomo domain, it is accepted that, barring Hizen, Bungo was perhaps the only province in Japan to ever near a Christian majority, in thanks to both Sorin’s patronage and the later conversion of many key Otomo retainers and members. This would later be cemented, ironically, by Yoshimune (who was notable for being less than lukewarm to Christianity before Kanbei Kuroda converted him), when he issued an Edict of Religious Freedom that allowed everyone in the Otomo domain to worship whatever God they pleased (the most curious of all was an addendum that barred this rule from himself of all people, a couple of other retainers, and Chikatsugu Shiga, who would later convert anyways and go on to serve the Otomo more faithfully than most of their Buddhist vassals).
Description: Many years have passed since we have welcomed the Jesuits into our lands, and Christianity has grown increasingly popular. Our continued patronage of the mission has seen a sharp increase in the number of converts in Bungo until the point where Christianity is now the dominant religion of the province. Though it would still upset the more conservative retainers of the clan, if there were ever a time to convert without much trouble, it would be now.
(A): ‘Our Father, who art in Heaven…’
(B): Continuing to support the missionaries in their endeavors should be enough for now.
Effects: (A): Changes religion to Catholic, changes religion in Bungo to Catholic, Otomo loses ‘Jesuit Missions’ modifier.
(B): Changes Religion in Bungo to Catholic.
Requirements: Japan is discovered, Bungo is Shinto, Otomo has ‘Jesuit Missions’ modifier, at least twenty years after (A) was picked in ‘The Portuguese Missionary’.
Shimazu:
Though the Shimazu are best remembered today as the clan that nearly unified Kyushu (often to the point where the Otomo’s near unification is downplayed), and for their stunning feats of military genius on the battlefield, at the start of the game they were an entirely unremarkable clan, who were famous for doing nothing but fighting each other. Whereas the Uesugi spanned three provinces and had a branch clan for each of them, the Shimazu had three branch clans fighting in Satsuma alone – this, of course, does not take into account the other autonomous clans of the province, such as the Kamo.
But when the Shimazu were able to achieve unity through carefully planned marriages, they exploded. Swallowing up Osumi, they were deadlocked in Hyuga for a few years before the battle of Mimigawa. After defeating the Otomo, it was a simple matter of the Ryuzoji before they became the most powerful clan on the island. After surrendering to Hideyoshi Toyotomi, they would win even more renown on the battlefield in Korea and Sekigahara, later be the only clan to extract tribute from a foreign nation, and finally play a pivotal role in the Meiji Restoration.
Shimazu Branches
Background: The Shimazu in Satsuma were actually divided into three branches: the Izaku, Sasshu and Oshu. These clans would constantly squabble amongst each other, until Jisshinsai Shimazu, who had already come to represent two of the branches due to his mother’s second marriage, sent his son and heir to be adopted by the leader of the third.
Description: The branches of our clan have fought amongst each other since time immemorial, but now we have been presented with an opportunity to bring the other branches under our firm control through a carefully placed adoption. Going through with it, however, would invite opposition.
(A): Do it.
(B): If it isn’t broken…
Effects: (A): Gain 1 Tax and 1 Manpower in Satsuma. Generate Size 1 Noble Rebels in Satsuma.
(B): Gain 1 Stability.
Requirements: Is before 1520, Shimazu is at peace, Shimazu owns Satsuma, Ruler has 90 or more Legitimacy.
Establish the Satsunan School
Background: The Satsunan School was established in 1478 at the behest of Tadamasa Shimazu to serve as a center of Neo-Confucian learning. In addition to its ostensible educational roles, the School also often served in diplomacy with the Ming by helping draw up trade deals.
Description: My lord, many Zen masters are travelling to our domain after hearing of how highly we value education. Now they have requested permission to form a School of their own – official patronage will of course only help them in their efforts.
(A): Patronize them.
(B): Allow them to build their school.
Effects: (A): Gives Shimazu the ‘Satsunan School’ modifier (-10% Adm Tech cost, -10% Stability Cost) indefinitely.
(B): Gain 10 Prestige.
Requirements: Is before 1480, Shimazu is it peace.
Subjugation of the Ryukyus
Background: After the siege of Osaka, the Tokugawa firmly solidified their grasp over the domains of Japan. There were two clans who managed to not be rendered completely powerless; the Date in the far north, and the Shimazu in the far south. The Shimazu, who had been cultivating a relationship with the Tokugawa to help maintain their independence, further increased it by not only being granted the privilege of launching the invasion of the Ryukyus, but being granted authority to collect the Imperial Tribute from it.
Description: Excellent news, sire! Word has just come back from the capital; we have been given the auspicious task of bringing the Kingdom of the Ryukyu to heel before the Shogun and Emperor.
(A): For the Emperor!
Effects: Gain Permanent Claim on Okinawa, 25 Prestige.
Requirements: Japan must exist, Ryukyu must exist, Shimazu must not be at war with either, must be at least 1550.
Background: The Shimazu in Satsuma were actually divided into three branches: the Izaku, Sasshu and Oshu. These clans would constantly squabble amongst each other, until Jisshinsai Shimazu, who had already come to represent two of the branches due to his mother’s second marriage, sent his son and heir to be adopted by the leader of the third.
Description: The branches of our clan have fought amongst each other since time immemorial, but now we have been presented with an opportunity to bring the other branches under our firm control through a carefully placed adoption. Going through with it, however, would invite opposition.
(A): Do it.
(B): If it isn’t broken…
Effects: (A): Gain 1 Tax and 1 Manpower in Satsuma. Generate Size 1 Noble Rebels in Satsuma.
(B): Gain 1 Stability.
Requirements: Is before 1520, Shimazu is at peace, Shimazu owns Satsuma, Ruler has 90 or more Legitimacy.
Establish the Satsunan School
Background: The Satsunan School was established in 1478 at the behest of Tadamasa Shimazu to serve as a center of Neo-Confucian learning. In addition to its ostensible educational roles, the School also often served in diplomacy with the Ming by helping draw up trade deals.
Description: My lord, many Zen masters are travelling to our domain after hearing of how highly we value education. Now they have requested permission to form a School of their own – official patronage will of course only help them in their efforts.
(A): Patronize them.
(B): Allow them to build their school.
Effects: (A): Gives Shimazu the ‘Satsunan School’ modifier (-10% Adm Tech cost, -10% Stability Cost) indefinitely.
(B): Gain 10 Prestige.
Requirements: Is before 1480, Shimazu is it peace.
Subjugation of the Ryukyus
Background: After the siege of Osaka, the Tokugawa firmly solidified their grasp over the domains of Japan. There were two clans who managed to not be rendered completely powerless; the Date in the far north, and the Shimazu in the far south. The Shimazu, who had been cultivating a relationship with the Tokugawa to help maintain their independence, further increased it by not only being granted the privilege of launching the invasion of the Ryukyus, but being granted authority to collect the Imperial Tribute from it.
Description: Excellent news, sire! Word has just come back from the capital; we have been given the auspicious task of bringing the Kingdom of the Ryukyu to heel before the Shogun and Emperor.
(A): For the Emperor!
Effects: Gain Permanent Claim on Okinawa, 25 Prestige.
Requirements: Japan must exist, Ryukyu must exist, Shimazu must not be at war with either, must be at least 1550.
Takeda:
In 1444 the Takeda were insignificant, even in the provinces they nominally ruled over. They were best off in Kai, safe from the larger clans that surrounded the other Takeda branches in Kazusa, Aki and Wakasa, but not by much; they barely had control of the local clans there either. Despite that, the Takeda began their ascension under Nobutora, who dealt some stinging defeats to many of the clans of Shinano, and his much larger neighbors of the Imagawa and Hojo.
However, Nobutora was a tyrant and hated by both the commoners and his own retainers; he was ousted by his son Harunobu, who would later lead the Takeda to national prominence as Shingen, slowly breaking the Shinano clans, establishing a famous rivalry with Kenshin Uesugi, and dealing Ieyasu Tokugawa one of the most humiliating defeats in military history. After Shingen’s unexpected and inconvenient death, his son Katsuyori took over. Despite being remembered for little more than his equally humiliating defeat at Nagashino, Katsuyori worked hard to follow up on his father’s ambitions and later preserve that Takeda, only to no avail. Ieyasu Tokugawa would later take a lot of Shingen’s ideas and incorporate them into his Shogunate.
Fracture of Kai
Background: Though the Takeda of Kai would emerge famous not only for their brilliant leadership, but their brilliant retainer base, it wasn’t always that way. Kai was initially quiet fractured politically, and things came to a head during Nobutora’s reign, with the powerful Oyamada and Oi clans rebelling twice with the backing of the Imagawa. Nobutora put them down twice, but it was quite the portent; the Oyamada would play a critical role in the destruction of the Takeda with their defection, cutting off Katsuyori’s escape route as he desperately tried to rally his forces.
Description: My lord, Kai is only nominally under our rule. Its many lesser clans continuously fight against our rule, and now some have openly begun to openly rebel with the help of one of our neighbors!
(A): We can use this to our advantage….
Effects: (A): Gain 1 Tax in Kai, generate Size 1 Noble Rebellion in Kai, -100 Opinion with a Random Neighbor, Takeda gain ‘Increased Centralization’ modifier.
Requirements: Takeda owns Kai, Ruler must have less than 4 Adm, is before 1500.
The Bloodless Coup
Background: Nobutora Takeda was a brilliant warrior, but an incompetent administrator. The heavy taxes to fund the never-ending campaign that was his rule upset the commoners, and his own mercurialness saw many chief retainers bear him personal grudges. The he, for seemingly no other reason than he felt like it, he started considering to disinherit his eldest son, Harunobu, in favor of his second son, Nobushige. Enough was enough, Harunobu decided, and (as one account goes) he seized power while Nobutora was away visiting his daughter in Surugua, who was the wife of Yoshimoto Imagawa (who was also likely in on the plot). Harunobu was then denied reentry to Kai, and with no one willing to follow him, he peacefully surrendered to retirement in Kai.
Description: Sire, we bring dire news; <Heirname> has launched a revolt in your absence! Most of the clan’s retainers are on his side, but should we attempt to defeat him we may find those still willing to follow you.
(A): Peacefully abdicate for the good of the Takeda.
(B): We will not abide some uppity brat!
Effects: (A): Ruler Abdicates.
(B): Generate Size 2 Pretender revolt in Kai, led by Heir. Kill Heir. Lose 2 Stability.
Requirements: Is before 1520. Takeda is at peace. Takeda has less than 3 Stability. ‘Fracture of Kai’ must have triggered.
Sayings of a Brother
Background: Nobushige Takeda was the younger brother of Shingen, and the one who Nobutora considered naming his heir. Despite having clan leadership ripped out of his hands by his brother, Nobushige bared Shingen no ill will; in fact, he would prove himself to be one of Shingen’s staunchest and most valuable supporters, and his death at the 4th Battle of Kawanakajima in 1561 was a massive blow to the Takeda. He was also famous for his sagacity; some of his sayings were even popularly misattributed to Shingen. Ultimately, his contributions were so immense that Masayuki Sanada would later name his second son, the famous Yukimura, Nobushige in honor of him.
Description: With the coup having gone smoothly, our new Lord finds himself reliant on his retainers, one of who is a distinctively talented brother. He has loyally supported his clan, and has developed a reputation for canny insight into any state of affairs.
(A): His continued service will be invaluable to the clan.
(B): We should compile his sayings and knowledge into our house code.
Effects: (A): Gain a Level 2 Statesman at discount.
(B): Gain 50 Adm, 50 Dip and 50 Mil.
Requirements: Is at least ten years after picking (A) in ‘The Bloodless Coup’.
Construction of the Fuji Dam
Background: Kai was not a fertile or prosperous land. The gold deposits in Mt. Fuji certainly helped an economy, but the Takeda didn’t have a strong economical foundation that wasn’t reliant on taxing the peasants to death until Shingen came around. Shingen sought to change that in many ways, and the most ambitious and impressive of them was his damming of the Fuji River.
Description: The Fuji River is mighty; perhaps a little too so. It frequently floods, destroying crops and keeping useful land out of our hands. We have the funds and time to rectify this.
(A): Construct a series of dikes to prevent flooding and reclaim land.
(B): Use it to further help irrigate Kai.
Effects: (A): Gain ‘Fuji Dam’ modifier (+1 Goods Produced, -10% Development Cost) in Kai indefinitely, lose a year’s income.
(B): Gain 1 Production in Kai, lose half a year’s income.
Requirements: Is before 1560, Takeda owns Kai.
Generals of the Takeda
Background: Shingen was aided in his rule and expansion by many able vassals and kin; they would later be known to posterity as the Twenty-Four Generals, and while deserving of their places in history, their loyalty was not always as solid as one might think (Nagashino wiped out roughly half of their number, and only Nobutatsu Ichijo remained loyal during the Takeda’s collapse – the others were either dead or had defected). Chief among this group were four generals Shingen favored above the others; Masanobu Kosaka, Masakage Yamagata, Nobuharu Baba and Masatoyo Naito (though in the case of the latter, it would be said that Shingen never fully appreciated his talents).
Description: We are aided in all capacities by a circle of highly talented – and in some cases, ambitious – retainers. Their services to us have proved to be invaluable, and already many have given honorifics to the ones that stand out the most.
(A): All our retainer’s contributions have been vital…
(B): …Though some more than others.
Effects: (A): Gain 15 Army Tradition.
(B): Gain a General with 50 Army Tradition.
Requirements: Is at least 1550, Takeda has at least 30 Army Tradition.
Background: Though the Takeda of Kai would emerge famous not only for their brilliant leadership, but their brilliant retainer base, it wasn’t always that way. Kai was initially quiet fractured politically, and things came to a head during Nobutora’s reign, with the powerful Oyamada and Oi clans rebelling twice with the backing of the Imagawa. Nobutora put them down twice, but it was quite the portent; the Oyamada would play a critical role in the destruction of the Takeda with their defection, cutting off Katsuyori’s escape route as he desperately tried to rally his forces.
Description: My lord, Kai is only nominally under our rule. Its many lesser clans continuously fight against our rule, and now some have openly begun to openly rebel with the help of one of our neighbors!
(A): We can use this to our advantage….
Effects: (A): Gain 1 Tax in Kai, generate Size 1 Noble Rebellion in Kai, -100 Opinion with a Random Neighbor, Takeda gain ‘Increased Centralization’ modifier.
Requirements: Takeda owns Kai, Ruler must have less than 4 Adm, is before 1500.
The Bloodless Coup
Background: Nobutora Takeda was a brilliant warrior, but an incompetent administrator. The heavy taxes to fund the never-ending campaign that was his rule upset the commoners, and his own mercurialness saw many chief retainers bear him personal grudges. The he, for seemingly no other reason than he felt like it, he started considering to disinherit his eldest son, Harunobu, in favor of his second son, Nobushige. Enough was enough, Harunobu decided, and (as one account goes) he seized power while Nobutora was away visiting his daughter in Surugua, who was the wife of Yoshimoto Imagawa (who was also likely in on the plot). Harunobu was then denied reentry to Kai, and with no one willing to follow him, he peacefully surrendered to retirement in Kai.
Description: Sire, we bring dire news; <Heirname> has launched a revolt in your absence! Most of the clan’s retainers are on his side, but should we attempt to defeat him we may find those still willing to follow you.
(A): Peacefully abdicate for the good of the Takeda.
(B): We will not abide some uppity brat!
Effects: (A): Ruler Abdicates.
(B): Generate Size 2 Pretender revolt in Kai, led by Heir. Kill Heir. Lose 2 Stability.
Requirements: Is before 1520. Takeda is at peace. Takeda has less than 3 Stability. ‘Fracture of Kai’ must have triggered.
Sayings of a Brother
Background: Nobushige Takeda was the younger brother of Shingen, and the one who Nobutora considered naming his heir. Despite having clan leadership ripped out of his hands by his brother, Nobushige bared Shingen no ill will; in fact, he would prove himself to be one of Shingen’s staunchest and most valuable supporters, and his death at the 4th Battle of Kawanakajima in 1561 was a massive blow to the Takeda. He was also famous for his sagacity; some of his sayings were even popularly misattributed to Shingen. Ultimately, his contributions were so immense that Masayuki Sanada would later name his second son, the famous Yukimura, Nobushige in honor of him.
Description: With the coup having gone smoothly, our new Lord finds himself reliant on his retainers, one of who is a distinctively talented brother. He has loyally supported his clan, and has developed a reputation for canny insight into any state of affairs.
(A): His continued service will be invaluable to the clan.
(B): We should compile his sayings and knowledge into our house code.
Effects: (A): Gain a Level 2 Statesman at discount.
(B): Gain 50 Adm, 50 Dip and 50 Mil.
Requirements: Is at least ten years after picking (A) in ‘The Bloodless Coup’.
Construction of the Fuji Dam
Background: Kai was not a fertile or prosperous land. The gold deposits in Mt. Fuji certainly helped an economy, but the Takeda didn’t have a strong economical foundation that wasn’t reliant on taxing the peasants to death until Shingen came around. Shingen sought to change that in many ways, and the most ambitious and impressive of them was his damming of the Fuji River.
Description: The Fuji River is mighty; perhaps a little too so. It frequently floods, destroying crops and keeping useful land out of our hands. We have the funds and time to rectify this.
(A): Construct a series of dikes to prevent flooding and reclaim land.
(B): Use it to further help irrigate Kai.
Effects: (A): Gain ‘Fuji Dam’ modifier (+1 Goods Produced, -10% Development Cost) in Kai indefinitely, lose a year’s income.
(B): Gain 1 Production in Kai, lose half a year’s income.
Requirements: Is before 1560, Takeda owns Kai.
Generals of the Takeda
Background: Shingen was aided in his rule and expansion by many able vassals and kin; they would later be known to posterity as the Twenty-Four Generals, and while deserving of their places in history, their loyalty was not always as solid as one might think (Nagashino wiped out roughly half of their number, and only Nobutatsu Ichijo remained loyal during the Takeda’s collapse – the others were either dead or had defected). Chief among this group were four generals Shingen favored above the others; Masanobu Kosaka, Masakage Yamagata, Nobuharu Baba and Masatoyo Naito (though in the case of the latter, it would be said that Shingen never fully appreciated his talents).
Description: We are aided in all capacities by a circle of highly talented – and in some cases, ambitious – retainers. Their services to us have proved to be invaluable, and already many have given honorifics to the ones that stand out the most.
(A): All our retainer’s contributions have been vital…
(B): …Though some more than others.
Effects: (A): Gain 15 Army Tradition.
(B): Gain a General with 50 Army Tradition.
Requirements: Is at least 1550, Takeda has at least 30 Army Tradition.
Uesugi:
The Uesugi were one of the most important clans of the period, though most famous for their constant infighting during the first century of the game than anything else. It was only until the Hojo dealt them a crippling blow in the Battle of Kawagoe Castle in 1546 that they truly lost control of Musashi province and were reduced to Kozuke; having lost de facto rule of Echigo back in 1510 to their nominal vassal Tamekage Nagao.
They would experience a true resurgence to power when Norimasa Uesugi adopted the son of Tamekage, Kagetora, who then changed his name to Masatora, and then retired as Kanto Kanrei in favor of his adoptive son. Masatora’s inspired leadership would see the Hojo pushed back in Kanto for a while, and then he would turn his attention against Shingen Takeda before finally planning a march to the capital. After Masatora’s – who had changed his name to Terutora then Kenshin – death, the Uesugi fractured again as he had adopted twice and willed for his heirs to co-rule (which, obviously did not come to pass). Afterwards, the Uesugi became staunch supporters of the Toyotomi, and famous for their continued fighting spirit.
The Uesugi Branches
Background: There were three different branches of the Uesugi, each having their own sphere of influence. While it would be asking too much to make three separate tags for a single clan in a game of global scale, the fact that the Uesugi were not unified or coordinated to the extent that the Yamana or Hosokawa were ought to be represented in game to help prevent them from easily swallowing the east.
Description: Our clan, the prestigious Uesugi, is far from united. There are in fact three branches, each with their own bases, fiefs, and ambitions. While the other two must nominally pay homage to us, the Kanto Kanrei, they more or less act on their own and occasionally clash with our agendas.
(A): One day we will rule in more than just name…
Effects: (A): Two random owned provinces gain 75% Autonomy.
Requirements: Is before 1450.
Quarrel with the Kubo
Background: The relationship between the Ashikaga and the Uesugi was tenuous at best. Things came to a head in 1454 when Shigeuji Ashikaga murdered Noritada Uesugi on the pretenses on a diplomatic visit. The Uesugi fell into chaos, and in the aftermath Shigeuji escaped to Koga from the grasp of an opportunistic Noritada Imagawa. This incident would ultimately result in the rise of the Hojo – as Shigeuji’s tentative replacement was never allowed into Kamakura, and had to set up shop in Izu, and his successor would proceed to abuse his power – as well as the breakdown of what sense of order there was in Kanto.
Description: My lord, you have received an invitation from the Kanto Kubo, the de facto ruler of the Kanto and a member of the Ashikaga, to visit him in his residence. While we can be hopeful that he seeks to reconcile our differences after the quarrels that have defined our relations as of late, it is likely nothing more than a trap. However, not going would cast suspicion of rebellion upon us.
(A): We have no choice. Let us hope for the best.
(B): It is not rebellion if they strike the first blow.
Effects: (A): Kill Ruler. Gain core on Sagami.
(B): -100 Relations with Japan, Japan gains Diplomatic Insult Casus Belli.
Requirements: Is before 1460, Japan exists, is not at war with Japan.
Rise of the Nagao
Background: Tamekage Nagao of Echigo was the real power in the province – he knew that, and decided to make it official. After killing his nominal lord and plotting with Hojo Soun in the south, he began consolidating his power in Echigo, appointing a puppet ruler of the Echigo Uesugi and extending his influence into Etchu. Though he would die prematurely, the clan he left behind would be inherited by Kagetora Nagao – later Kenshin Uesugi – after some internal dissent, and would proceed to ironically continue the clan that Tamekage sought to throw off.
Description: My lord, the Nagao in Echigo are continually expanding their influence – should we not do something about them soon, they will likely rebel from our rule. As you lack an heir, perhaps we could adopt this talented young lord and pass the reigns of the Uesugi along to him? The retainers would object, but it could spare us something worse.
(A): I was never that interested in ruling to begin with.
(B): The Uesugi aren’t dead yet!
Effects: (A): Gain an heir of the Uesugi dynasty of at least 4 Mil. Lose 1 Stability and 20 Prestige. Ruler Abdicates.
(B): Generate a Size 2 Noble Revolt in Echigo.
Requirements: Must be at least 1500, Uesugi owns Echigo, does not have an heir.
Background: There were three different branches of the Uesugi, each having their own sphere of influence. While it would be asking too much to make three separate tags for a single clan in a game of global scale, the fact that the Uesugi were not unified or coordinated to the extent that the Yamana or Hosokawa were ought to be represented in game to help prevent them from easily swallowing the east.
Description: Our clan, the prestigious Uesugi, is far from united. There are in fact three branches, each with their own bases, fiefs, and ambitions. While the other two must nominally pay homage to us, the Kanto Kanrei, they more or less act on their own and occasionally clash with our agendas.
(A): One day we will rule in more than just name…
Effects: (A): Two random owned provinces gain 75% Autonomy.
Requirements: Is before 1450.
Quarrel with the Kubo
Background: The relationship between the Ashikaga and the Uesugi was tenuous at best. Things came to a head in 1454 when Shigeuji Ashikaga murdered Noritada Uesugi on the pretenses on a diplomatic visit. The Uesugi fell into chaos, and in the aftermath Shigeuji escaped to Koga from the grasp of an opportunistic Noritada Imagawa. This incident would ultimately result in the rise of the Hojo – as Shigeuji’s tentative replacement was never allowed into Kamakura, and had to set up shop in Izu, and his successor would proceed to abuse his power – as well as the breakdown of what sense of order there was in Kanto.
Description: My lord, you have received an invitation from the Kanto Kubo, the de facto ruler of the Kanto and a member of the Ashikaga, to visit him in his residence. While we can be hopeful that he seeks to reconcile our differences after the quarrels that have defined our relations as of late, it is likely nothing more than a trap. However, not going would cast suspicion of rebellion upon us.
(A): We have no choice. Let us hope for the best.
(B): It is not rebellion if they strike the first blow.
Effects: (A): Kill Ruler. Gain core on Sagami.
(B): -100 Relations with Japan, Japan gains Diplomatic Insult Casus Belli.
Requirements: Is before 1460, Japan exists, is not at war with Japan.
Rise of the Nagao
Background: Tamekage Nagao of Echigo was the real power in the province – he knew that, and decided to make it official. After killing his nominal lord and plotting with Hojo Soun in the south, he began consolidating his power in Echigo, appointing a puppet ruler of the Echigo Uesugi and extending his influence into Etchu. Though he would die prematurely, the clan he left behind would be inherited by Kagetora Nagao – later Kenshin Uesugi – after some internal dissent, and would proceed to ironically continue the clan that Tamekage sought to throw off.
Description: My lord, the Nagao in Echigo are continually expanding their influence – should we not do something about them soon, they will likely rebel from our rule. As you lack an heir, perhaps we could adopt this talented young lord and pass the reigns of the Uesugi along to him? The retainers would object, but it could spare us something worse.
(A): I was never that interested in ruling to begin with.
(B): The Uesugi aren’t dead yet!
Effects: (A): Gain an heir of the Uesugi dynasty of at least 4 Mil. Lose 1 Stability and 20 Prestige. Ruler Abdicates.
(B): Generate a Size 2 Noble Revolt in Echigo.
Requirements: Must be at least 1500, Uesugi owns Echigo, does not have an heir.
Shogunate Events:
By this I should clarify I mean a few events regarding the Shogunate, and not necessarily for Japan proper.
The Onin War Begins
Description: It is no secret the Hosokawa and Yamana hate each other, vying over power and land at every possible turn. However, they have avoided open warfare, preferring to try to undermine one another on the political field as much as possible. At least, that was the case.
Now, open warfare has broken out between the two most powerful clans in Japan and their allies. Provinces and vassals rebel, armies march, and clans are breaking down over which side to support. Worse, actual fighting has spilled into the capital, devastating much of it – though the Shogun himself remains safe, and futilely attempts to restore order. Now the whole country in engulfed in war.
(A): Maybe something good will eventually come of this?
Effects: Kyoto loses 4 Tax and 4 Production. Japan gains ‘Ineffectual Shogunate’ modifier (-1 Diplomatic Reputation, +25% Diplomatic Annexation cost, -33% Land Forcelimit Modifier), until destroyed or the ‘Unite Japan!’ decision is taken.
Requirements: Is before 1480, Hosokawa and Yamana are at war, Japan exists and is at peace.
A Pretender Shogun
Description: My liege, not all the Ashikaga fell with Kyoto. One of them has shown up on our doorstep, requesting we help him retake the capital. Obviously this would give us the perfect justification for marching to the capital, but we could also turn him away to avoid angering the new shogun.
(A): Maybe we could visit the Enryakuji while we’re there…
(B): It would be best not to anger the Shogun before we’re ready.
Effects: (A): Gain a core on Kyoto, ‘Pretender Shogun’ modifier (+1 Diplomatic Reputation) for ten years. -200 Relations with Japan. Japan gains Diplomatic Insult casus belli.
(B): +100 Relations with Japan.
Requirements: Japan is not ruled by a member of the Ashikaga dynasty, Unite Japan or Japan is United decisions have not been selected, is a Daimyo.
Description: It is no secret the Hosokawa and Yamana hate each other, vying over power and land at every possible turn. However, they have avoided open warfare, preferring to try to undermine one another on the political field as much as possible. At least, that was the case.
Now, open warfare has broken out between the two most powerful clans in Japan and their allies. Provinces and vassals rebel, armies march, and clans are breaking down over which side to support. Worse, actual fighting has spilled into the capital, devastating much of it – though the Shogun himself remains safe, and futilely attempts to restore order. Now the whole country in engulfed in war.
(A): Maybe something good will eventually come of this?
Effects: Kyoto loses 4 Tax and 4 Production. Japan gains ‘Ineffectual Shogunate’ modifier (-1 Diplomatic Reputation, +25% Diplomatic Annexation cost, -33% Land Forcelimit Modifier), until destroyed or the ‘Unite Japan!’ decision is taken.
Requirements: Is before 1480, Hosokawa and Yamana are at war, Japan exists and is at peace.
A Pretender Shogun
Description: My liege, not all the Ashikaga fell with Kyoto. One of them has shown up on our doorstep, requesting we help him retake the capital. Obviously this would give us the perfect justification for marching to the capital, but we could also turn him away to avoid angering the new shogun.
(A): Maybe we could visit the Enryakuji while we’re there…
(B): It would be best not to anger the Shogun before we’re ready.
Effects: (A): Gain a core on Kyoto, ‘Pretender Shogun’ modifier (+1 Diplomatic Reputation) for ten years. -200 Relations with Japan. Japan gains Diplomatic Insult casus belli.
(B): +100 Relations with Japan.
Requirements: Japan is not ruled by a member of the Ashikaga dynasty, Unite Japan or Japan is United decisions have not been selected, is a Daimyo.
Ikko Events:
The Ikko were one of the most dramatic facets of the Sengoku period; leagues of peasants, ji-samurai, merchants, Shinto priests and Buddhist monks joining together in loose theocratic-republics against any Daimyo rule, spurred on by their belief in the Amida Buddha’s teaching that all could reach enlightenment and exhaustion of the constant warfare and abuses from their lords. They were, for a little less than a century, quite successful too; overrunning the entirety of Kii, Kaga, Iga and (shortly) Echizen and Yamashiro, and having fortified strongholds in other provinces such as in Ise, Mikawa, Etchu and Settsu.
Theologically, and in terms of hierarchy, they originated with Rennyo and his unorthodox teachings. However, he was pragmatic in his involvement with the Ikko, and it would take some time before the Ishiyama Honganji Temple – which would be the foundations for modern day Osaka – would emerge as the de-facto leadership in the Ikko. They would go on to be a major power player in the Kinai and one of the staunchest opponents to Nobunaga Oda, and a pervasive threat to smaller Daimyo.
Currently, the Ikko are the result of sporadic events, and don’t really accomplish much. The creation of an event chain for them could make them into the threat they were. This would require the addition of a Honganji tag, and a rework of the Ikko-Ikki rebels so that they;
- Add a Honganji core to any provinces they seize.
- Convert any provinces they seize to Mahayana.
- Form or Defect to the Honganji upon controlling a province for a year.
- Add Unrest to the Provinces they gain control of.
- Generate only in Japanese-Culture Provinces with Mahayana as its religion, and will be the primary rebels if unrest is generated.
Rise of the Ikko
Description: Bands of disgruntled peasants, ji-samurai, monks and priests have banded together, unified in some radical theology, and risen in open revolt against our rule. Already they are washing over the province they have taken up arms in, and are threatening to do the same to others should they not be stamped out now.
(A): Best nip this in the bud.
Effects: (A): Generate Size 3 Ikko-Ikki rebels in a random owned province.
Requirements: Onin War event has triggered. Must be at least 1480. Country must have less than 3 Stability. Can only trigger once.
Jodo-Shinshu Spreads
Description: The teachings of the Ikko in a neighboring province have spilled over into one of ours, my lord, and have grown in increasing popularity with the peasantry. Though there is not rebellion, there is a level of tension where there was not before.
(A): Troubling…
Effects: (A) Convert a random owned province to Mahayana.
Requirements: Province is adjacent to a Japanese culture, Mahayana province with a Honganji core, owned by the Honganji. Rise of the Ikko must have triggered. Owner must be Shinto and Japanese.
Purge the Sects
Description: We have wrested control of one of the Ikko’s provinces from them. Most were either slain in the fighting or have fled; a few had retreated to one of their temple-fortresses in an attempt to make a last stand. It is doubtless they will last for long, and once they fall, the areas they once occupied will be free of their influence.
(A): Their continued resistance is an affront to Japan itself!
Effects: (A) Changes all Mahayana owned provinces with a Honganji core to Shinto.
Requirements: Owner is Shinto and Japanese. Owner has a Japanese Mahayana province with an Ikko core.
Description: Bands of disgruntled peasants, ji-samurai, monks and priests have banded together, unified in some radical theology, and risen in open revolt against our rule. Already they are washing over the province they have taken up arms in, and are threatening to do the same to others should they not be stamped out now.
(A): Best nip this in the bud.
Effects: (A): Generate Size 3 Ikko-Ikki rebels in a random owned province.
Requirements: Onin War event has triggered. Must be at least 1480. Country must have less than 3 Stability. Can only trigger once.
Jodo-Shinshu Spreads
Description: The teachings of the Ikko in a neighboring province have spilled over into one of ours, my lord, and have grown in increasing popularity with the peasantry. Though there is not rebellion, there is a level of tension where there was not before.
(A): Troubling…
Effects: (A) Convert a random owned province to Mahayana.
Requirements: Province is adjacent to a Japanese culture, Mahayana province with a Honganji core, owned by the Honganji. Rise of the Ikko must have triggered. Owner must be Shinto and Japanese.
Purge the Sects
Description: We have wrested control of one of the Ikko’s provinces from them. Most were either slain in the fighting or have fled; a few had retreated to one of their temple-fortresses in an attempt to make a last stand. It is doubtless they will last for long, and once they fall, the areas they once occupied will be free of their influence.
(A): Their continued resistance is an affront to Japan itself!
Effects: (A) Changes all Mahayana owned provinces with a Honganji core to Shinto.
Requirements: Owner is Shinto and Japanese. Owner has a Japanese Mahayana province with an Ikko core.
Castles:
Though not really events, I suppose I can include a short section on what provinces I believe should have castles at the 1444 start, as I suppose it’s a flavor of a sort. However, as Japan was littered with the blessed things until the Tokugawa enforced a one castle per domain law, I’ll only choose the truly noteworthy ones.
Tachibanayama Castle:
For Chikuzen. Tachibanayama was built by the Otomo clan in 1330 for the branch that would pick up the name of the kuge family who gave their name to the mountain it was built on. It had a strong reputation for sturdiness, and after trading hands a few times throughout the 1550s and 1560s, came firmly under the control of the Otomo. It would then go on to be one of the only castles in the Otomo domain that was able to resist a Shimazu attack during their invasion, thanks to the efforts of Muneshige Tachibana – the only other, I believe, being Bungo-Oka castle under the command of Chikatsugu Shiga – and would later be one of the main staging grounds for Hideyoshi Toyotomi’s invasion of Kyushu. Much of the castle was torn down in 1603 to help build Nagamasa Kuroda’s Fukuoka Castle, but some of its fortifications remain.
Gassantoda Castle:
For Izumo. Controlled by the Amago clan as early as 1396, Gassantoda would prove to be one of the most stubborn fortifications of the Sengoku period. The Amago would rise to power from this base, and make their last (and many other) stands in it. After his disastrous defeat at Yoshida-Koriyama in 1540, Haruhisa Amago retreated here with most of his forces to await the coming Ouchi storm, and was able to not only repel but utterly crush the 30,000 strong Ouchi army at its gates (this event being accredited as the beginning of the Ouchi’s end by many). Later it would resist a four-year long siege against the Mori in the 1560s, and would only be brought down due to starvation.
Inabayama Castle:
For Mino. Built back in 1201 originally, Inabayama Castle had a reputation for being untakeable – so much so, that conventional military tactics were not used in the two times during the game it did fall. The first being to rogue Saito retainer, Hanbei Takenaka, who captured it with only sixteen men, and second to the Oda, who captured it due to the efforts of Hideyoshi then Hashiba scaling the mountain with a handful of men and unlocking the gates from the inside.
Nanao Castle:
For Noto. Built by the Hatakeyama at the turn of the century, it was considered one of the sturdiest mountain castles in Japan at the time. In fact, it would preserve the Hatakeyama in Noto far longer than their other branches in Etchu, Kii and Kawachi – it would only fall to Kenshin Uesugi in 1578 after a Hatakeyama retainer opened the gates.
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