Hingashi

Hingashi is a region in Final Fantasy XIV. It is a Far Eastern archipelago off the coast of Othard. Hingashi maintains an isolationist policy which only allows foreigners in the port city of Kugane.
== Profile ==
Although officially Hingashi is ruled by the royal family under Emperor Reigen, in practice the Mitsurugi clan leads the bakufu, a military government instilled to maintain the peace following the Age of Blood, a period of intense war amongst the region's various former clans. Their influence over a given region can vary greatly, though, as they must retain the support of many wealthy families which have their own agendas. 
Hingashi is the birthplace of the ninjutsu and samurai traditions. Hingashi's influence has also spread the disciplines to its neighbor Doma.
==History==
===Origins===
The Hingans origins are unknown. Due to the Allagan Empire having no records on the Hingashi archipelago and the lack of Allagan ruins in the region, the prevailing theory is that the islands were either deserted or were home to only a token population, and that during the Fourth Umbral Calamity, the refugees would have fled to Hingashi where they found a new life.
The earliest confirmed sources on Hingashi origins discovered are wooden tablets with records of taxes dating back approximately three millennia. Just two hundred years later, a clan in the western plains of Koshu rose to prominence following the fall of their neighboring rivals. The clan head declared himself a great king and launched a campaign to unify the region. After three hundred years, his descendants were able to unite the entire western Koshu under one banner. Over time, subsequent leaders were declared emperors, and if records are reliable, the current imperial house is descended from this first king.
===The Age of Blood===
For nearly a millennium, an unbroken line of emperors held absolute power. However, fifteen hundred years ago, at the dawn of the Sixth Astral Era, a dispute over succession plunged Hingashi into civil war. The resulting chaos greatly reduced the power and prestige of the royal bloodline. In order to claim victory, the royals increasingly turned to the vassals sworn to serve them. To secure their martial support, the royals granted them new rights and promised new privileges. After the conflict was over, the triumphant emperor became only a figurehead, for he had surrendered nearly all his power to other clans. Emboldened, these clans then turned upon one another, and a new struggle for supremacy began.
Over the course of six hundred years, Hingashi was ravaged by the fires of war. During this period the Mitsurugi clan, rulers of Onokuni, came to power. Though their leader, Kanzan, was not skilled in the arts of war, he was a peerless politician and strategist. Kanzan forged alliances through marriage and employed ninja to gain vital intelligence. Karzan restored the imperial house to power, declaring that the mandate he had to rule had been bequeathed to him by Emperor Hingan. Thus the Mitsurugi clan became the true power behind the throne.
===The opening of Kugane===
In recent years, the bakufu has grown wary of foreign interests. The rise of the Garlean Empire and its aggressive expansion with the aid of magitek has not gone unnoticed, nor has the struggle of the Domans across the Ruby Sea not been a source of some concern. The fall of Dalmasca served to underscore this, and spurred Hingashi to formally declare themselves neutral with regards to Garlemald's actions. As such, they not intervened in the affairs of Yanxia nor Nagxia.
For the time being, the bakufu maintains its strict isolationist policies and devotes the majority of its attention to internal affairs, whilst permitting, only a small measure of foreign trade to take place via the port of Kugane on Shisho. The port is also home to several embassies, including most notably that of the Garlean Empire.
== Geography ==
===Shishu===
Shishu is one of Hingashi's larger islands, second only to Koshu in size.
====Kugane====
On Shishu's western shore is Kugane, the gateway to the nation that receives ships on the southwest coast of the Isle. Kugane is the only international port of the Far East following the conquest of Othard by the Garlean Empire.
====Mount Rokkon====
In northeast Shishu is Mount Rokkon, a sacred mountain that is home to the Shojo Temple where Hingan monks train. A village exists at the base of the mountain as well.
===Koshu===
The largest and easternmost of the Hingan isles, Koshu is considered the nation's main island.
====Bukyo====
Bukyo is the capital of Hingashi and the seat of the bakufu government. Little is known of the city due to its intensely isolationist policies.
====Daitenzan====
The largest mountain of Koshu, its peak is covered in everlasting snow. Since the beginning of Hingashi's history, Daitenzan has been the focus of religious belief, as well as the beloved subject of many a work of fine art.
== Aetheryte Sanctuaries ==
* Kugane Aetheryte Plaza
== Instances ==
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== Etymology ==
The name, "Hingashi" (ヒンガシ), is most likely based on a now-obsolete Japanese reading of the character, "東", meaning "East" and now pronounced as "higashi" (ひがし).
==Citations==
Category:Far East locations in Final Fantasy XIV
Category:Nations in Final Fantasy XIV
Category:Islands