Sūnei Restoration

The **Sūnei Restoration** (崇寧維新), also referred to as the Sūnei Revolution, was a political event that established practical imperial rule in across the Shingōan realm in 1 G.E. under Emperor Sūnei. While there were ruling emperors before the Sūnei Restoration, the events restored practical abilities and consolidated the political system under the Emperor of Shingō and the Imperial Cabinet. It additionally marked the official formation of the Empire of Shingō.

The Restoration led to major changes in Shingō's political and social structure which mostly took place from 1 to 50 G.E. Architectural styles, clothing, philosophy, literature, and weapons such as guns were imported through trade from countries across Ocellis and Erleste.

## Pre-Restoration Society

In the decades leading up to the events of the restoration, the Shingōan realm had been politically split amongst several rival clans which occasionally cooperated and fought between one-another for influence. Certain clans had historically achieved notable success in conquering large portions of the Shingōan realm; however, no clan had ever managed to conquer the entirety of the Shingōan-speaking diaspora. Governmental authority, therefore, was highly decentralized and local lords and warriors held significant authority over political and social affairs.

*Note: The Shingōan realm was not the official name of the realm at the time. It was retroactively assigned to it following the formation of the Empire of Shingō.*

## Historical Context

The exact date relating to the ascension of the first Shingōan emperor is highly disputed; however, it is generally agreed upon that the imperial family headed a monarchical system of governance across most of the Shingōan realm from roughly 1600 to 780 B.G.E. The ruling government, however, collapsed sometime around 780 B.G.E. and the country was split amongst warring clans.

In 753 B.G.E., the Kōtoku Clan (光徳部氏) united much of the northern realm while the Kusakabe Clan (日下部氏) united most of the south. For roughly seven centuries, the two clans co-ruled the realm, with lords and nobility from both groups gradually intermarrying for political purposes. Throughout this period, the emperor still maintained a ceremonial position as a divine figure; however, the imperial family had little influence over governmental affairs.

From 40 to 10 B.G.E., explorers and merchants from Arlon, Rösdal, and Windsor began to arrive across the Shingōan realm in large numbers. In August of 18 B.G.E., a skirmish occurred after local militiamen and an armed Windsoran vessel. The village next to which the altercation took place was subsequently destroyed by Windsoran cannonfire and the ruling government of the realm was coerced into signing several 'humiliating treaties' which provided foreign powers with docking rights across the Shingōan realm as well as unrestricted access to its domestic markets. Burdened by large debts and its tarnished reputation, the national government lost the support of several clan leaders who subsequently engaged in an armed rebellion.

By 1 B.G.E., the Shingō Clan and the Awa Clan had conquered much of the northern and central regions of the realm and members of the previous government had fled to southern Tōkai. In 1 G.E., the Empire of Shingō (named after the Shingō clan) was proclaimed and Emperor Sūnei gained full control over the country's government.