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The Kingdom of Wa???

The kingdom of Wa is located east of the Great Asian Ocean and centralized around Japan Lake. Its borders range from the northwestern tip of the Great Asian Ocean, to just above Taiwan Lake [North and South], and from the Eastern border of the Great Asian Ocean to the mountain boarders east of Japan lake [East to West]. Wa is written in a symbol meaning ?peace/peaceful or Harmony.?

Wa is a kingdom surrounded by waters and seafood is the main cuisine for the people of Wa. The terrain in mainly a mix between mountains, lakes, plains and forests. There are several places of note within the kingdom of Wa.

Kyodo

Kyodo is the capital of Wa and it is home of the Imperial palace and imperial family. It is one of the biggest cities in the Wa kingdom. Many merchants and Nobles live in the capital. The imperial palace is well protected there because it lies in the heart of Wa and it is backed by Japan Lake. Kyodo is heavily guarded by policemen and samurai alike. Kyodo in Wa?s cultural epicenter. It is also Wa?s political arena.

Gion

Immediately north of Kyodo is Gion, the pleasure district. Gion is home to many Okiya?s, tea houses, brothels, theaters, and many merchants. Gion also has schools that specialize in the arts. There are always festivals and parties being held in Gion. It serves as a getaway for many nobles. Geisha both male and female can be seen rushing to and fro from one party to the next at night. Young trainees and apprentices rush to practices and rehearsals in the mornings. Gion is the place to go for fun. Some of Wa?s most beautiful women and men live in Gion.

Izumo

West of Gion, Kyodo and Japan Lake is Izumo. Izumo is a quiet yet large region with many small villages and forests. There?re farmers and common people that live in this region. There are also many shrines and temples. The biggest shrine is the Izumo Grand Shrine. The area is a zone of natural beauty. There is something quite spiritual about Izumo. Izumo is the spiritual epicenter of Wa. There are several tombs and burial grounds in Izumo, being a sacred place. Most of the royal family is laid to rest in Izumo. The Izumo pass is the connector between Izumo and Gion.

Taketani

Taketani is the Samurai Village and general place of training. Samurai class families dwell here. This area is a bit separate from the laws and hustles of the capital, Kyodo. The Daimyo?s home residence is located in Taketani. Compared to the capital, Taketani is quiet and rural. The samurai train here and travel to the various parts of Wa for duty. After their duty is done, they are free to return to Taketani. Taketani is somewhat self-governed. Taketani is home to many farmers, warriors and common people. Many travel to Taketani to study the ways of the samurai. The Daimyo is required to spend equal time in the Capital, Kyodo, as well as Taketani.

Kobuchizawa

Kobuchizawa is the northern expanse of Wa. It is home to many monks the desire seclusion from mainstream society. Kobuchizawa is also a hub for agriculture and herding animals. Much of Wa?s richest produce is cultivated in Kobuchizawa. The terrain consists of plains, mountains, forests and beaches.

Wa is generally a secluded and peaceful kingdom. It has been involved in wars with neighboring nation over territory and boarder disputes but generally it has remained at peace. It?s defenses are very solid and it?s warriors skilled. The people of Wa generally speak Japanese however some are learned in the ways of various foreign speech. Wa is a highly cultured kingdom and it?s people are very hardworking in all that that do.

Years ago Wa had one major succession war that lead to a divide in the samurai class, and later the creation of the Daimyo ranking. This succession war was called the ?Jinrai- Mizuno Senzou?. The illegitimate son of an imperial family member and a noblewoman of the Jinrai household, claimed to hold the mandate of the heavens and challenged the upcoming succession of the present day emperor. Noblemen and samurai were split between serving the imperial family (Mizuno) or the Jinrai family during the time of turmoil. The current Daimyo, of the Shiraishi clan, was a part of the samurai that choose to serve under the Imperial Mizuno household and at the completion of the war, he and his household were granted favor. The Jinrai were defeated and cast into seclusion. Wa returned to its natural balance and all samurai under the mizuno banner were to serve under the Shiraishi samurai clan.

Wa(?)?s Sovereign Diety

The sovereign deity of Wa is Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. It is said that she formed the Kingdom of Wa by raising it out of the sea. Her spirit is believed to be ever present in the land, it?s objects and people. The imperial family is believed to be direct descendants of hers. They are said to be demi-gods in the flesh. There are other demi-gods and nature spirits that are believed to dwell in the land and it?s objects.

(?)

Wa is a kingdom well in tune with nature and it?s spirits. Strange phenomenon has occurred due to heightened spiritual activity. Most people are very careful about appeasing the spirits and Amaterasu in return for blessed crops, business, and livelihoods. Many shrines and temples can be found throughout the Kingdom of Wa. Many people embark on pilgrimages throughout Wa to visit each shrine and temple, believing that they will receive a special divine blessing for themselves and their families upon it?s completion.

The Politics of Wa (?)

Wa is a kingdom generally run by males. It?s political structure is set up in a trinity format. The three major power holders are the imperial family, the daimyo, and the high priestess. The nobles are mainly the bureaucrats that hold political power to sway the decisions of the emperor and or the Daimyo.

Emperor and Imperial Family

The emperor of Wa is the supreme ruler of the kingdom. He generally has the most political say in the kingdom. His family is nearly equal in status to him. The nobles fall under the imperial family. The imperial family generally resides in the Capital, Kyodo. The imperial family is believed to be descendants of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, the sovereign deity of Wa. Both the Daimyo and High Priestess must answer to the imperial family.

Male heirs are preferred for succession to the throne, however female heirs have been chosen to lead as empress only when there were no proper male heirs.

Daimyo

The second in political power is the Daimyo. The Daimyo is the lead samurai of the kingdom. He manages affairs relating to the defense of Wa from external forces. He oversees the rules and regulations for Samurai and samurai class families. All bushido answer to him. The Daimyo works closely with the emperor and must coordinate with him on decisions regarding the nation?s safety and the actions of the samurai. The samurai are a separate entity from the lands general law enforcement. They rank slightly higher than the general police officers (the difference between the military and the police force.) The Daimyo?s home lies is the region known as Taketani. The Daimyo makes frequent trips to the capital, for conferences and negotiations with the emperor, and to Izumo, to pray for the peace, good fortune and safety of his men and the Kingdom of Wa.

The High Priest/ Priestess [Queen of Wa (?)]

The High Priestess of Wa(?) is a person gifted with divine favor from the sovereign deity of Wa, Amaterasu the Sun Goddess. A person is chosen for this position upon a divine happening, generally during a person?s childhood blessing ceremony. The child is generally visited by Amaterasu and gifted with spiritual abilities, and divine authority. This person becomes in tune with nature and the spirit realm. They are brought to the capital and officially given the title of High Priest or Priestess. It is common that the goddess had chosen females for this position, than males, much to the dismay of some noblemen. The High Priest or Priestess has a small portion of political power but only in regard to situations that relate to the land and spiritual matters. The High Priest or Priestess is often time not a member of the imperial family or a noble.

The High Priest or Priestess performs ritual ceremonies and other spiritual tasks throughout the kingdom of Wa(?). The High Priest or Priestess hears directly from Amaterasu herself and reports to the imperial palace regarding spiritual matters; performing ritual blessings for land, communicating with the deities that inhabit the lands, objects, and forests. The High Priest also serves as a seer (A clairvoyant, prophet, oracle, or diviner) for officials and common people alike. All major decision regarding Wa must be discussed with the High Priest in an effort to gain approval from the divine on their decisions.

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