Tenzai

Tenzai [星勢; てんざい] is the capital city of Heisai Prefecture, and the largest city in the region, with an estimated population of 250,000 as of 2020.
Tenzai was settled by the Tengō clan in the 1100s and soon became the centre of commerce, trade, and culture in Heisai Prefecture for many centuries. Due to its location below the foothills of the Tsuba range, Tenzai became involved with mining and gold, sulphur and iron mines were established throughout the city's western ward. It became an incredibly wealthy city by the 1300s, and traded frequently with further regions of Kanton such as the south and east; it became particularly known for the manufacture of beautiful tools and weapons. Tenzai blacksmiths were considered some of the best in the country, and this remains even in modern times.
By the 19th century the wealth of Tenzai's mines had started to be depleted and the mining industry was taking a downhill turn. By the 1920s all but two mines had been closed down, which kickstarted the city's long period of depression as the population plummeted and poverty rose. Crime became commonplace and neighbourhoods began to delapidate with no money to invest into renewing infrastructure. Up until the 1990s Tenzai was known as the 'Pit City' [uka no kagi], famed for its thriving criminal underworld. 
However, it underwent revival in the early 2000s. Manufacture of electronics, such as computers, audio systems, radios and other devices, became a growing industry for Tenzai and foreign companies began establishing factories throughout the city to take advantage of cheap labour. Although Tenzai is by no means a 'model city' in the present day, and still has many areas of poverty, crime and neglect, its economy has kept afloat and is predicted to benefit in the coming years.
Tenzai Castle is perhaps the most famous of the city's historical landmarks; it is one of the few which has remained in good condition and protected by the city council. 
== Geography ==
Tenzai is located in the flat central plain of Heisai Prefecture known as Tenzai Plain, although it actually accommodates over ten different municipalities. The city is not the largest settlement in the prefecture by landmass - this title goes to the village of Tsushi in the Tsuba mountains; however, Tenzai is by far the largest in population. Its area is densely packed and overcrowded in some places, particularly in the north of the city. For this reason, there have been talks about combining the city of Yamawa with Tenzai to maximise space. 
The Yokana and Kugai rivers flow through Tenzai in the west and east; unfortunately they have suffered a significant amount of pollution over the past forty years or so. Lake Ōtsuke is located on the city's eastern border with the city of Ozoma.
== Local attractions ==
Along with Tenzai Castle, there are quite a few notable attractions for visitors to Tenzai to admire.
* The Heisai Museum of Art, built in 2008
* Site of Tenzai City Temple
* Tenzai Park, where hinamachi are often held
* Tenzai Racecourse, a historical horse racing track built in 1967