The Shogunate of Hajima

"Tabi no Fune" - The Wayfaring Ship flag of the Hajima Shogunate

The Hajima Shogunate, also known as the Hideyori Shogunate or the 1st Hajima Dynasty is the military government of the Hajima Islands, reining from the Saiken period and into the present.

The Hajima Shogunate was established by Satake Hideyori after the Efthar Cataclysm, ending the Pirate Wars of the Gekido period and establishing the start of the Saiken period. Satake became the shōgun, and the Hideyori clan governed Hajima along with the daimyō lords of the samurai class. The Hajima Shogunate organized society under the Hideyori class system. The Hideyori Shoguns govern Hajima in a feudal system, with each daimyō administering a han (feudal domain), with each of the Daimyos being elected through local votes in each of the Provinces. Under the Hideyori shogunate, Hajima experienced rapid economic growth and urbanization, which led to the rise of the merchant class.

## History

### Gekido Period

The Gekido period is characterized by the upheaval and unrest caused by pirate attacks on the shores of Efthar, carried out by proto-Hajimese groups. The period is poorly documented, the main events being remembered only through oral tradition. The Gekido period ended with the Efthar Cataclysm, when all but one ship of proto-Hajimese Pirates survived, founding the Shogunate of Hajima.

### Founding

Historical records regarding the founding of the Hajima Shogunate are incomplete, and much of what is known about the kingdom's origins comes from oral tradition and legend. It is generally believed that a group of independent samurai turned to piracy, merchants, and artisans were traveling by ship when they were caught in a storm that caused their vessel to drift for weeks.

The Founding oral tradition has been preserved in the Hideyori Archives:

"*The seas of Eftar beckoned. The Isles crumbled and were swallowed by the Ocean. Even the stars in the night’s sky shook, fell, and drowned into the sea. Elders and wise men aboard the ship called for Fire and Brimstone; for Storm and Thunder; for Dying and the Death of the World. The “Black Dragon” was battered by the waves and winds, and it lost its way, drifting far out to sea.*

*As the crew struggled to survive the storm, they noticed land on the horizon. At first, they thought it was Eftar, saved from Apocalypse and the end of men, but as they approached, they realised that it was a different world altogether. For these lands were lush, unweathered and pristine. The crew decided to explore the lands and seas, finally reaching an archipelago touched by the hands of God himself.*

*With lumber from the ship itself, they fashioned themselves homes and shrines for the Gods.*

*This would be a new beginning.*"

### Saiken Period

The Saiken Period is the contemporary period of the Shogunate of Hajima, characterised by the rapid colonization of the Island of Hajima and the surrounding archipelago. During the 1st Year of the Celestial Calendar, the Capital City of Yokogawa was founded on Hajima Island. The period saw the establishment of the Royal Palace of the Hideyori Clan, as well as the expansion of the Yokogawa colony, especially in the agricultural sector.

## Culture

### Literature

The literature of the Shinsoo people consists mostly of fables, fantastical tales and poems.

*"Golden autumn wheat*

*Row on row all fill the fields*

*In Yokogawa", by Toshiro Takenaka, poet of the Royal Court*

### Cuisine

##### Kurawari Hot Cake

Kurawari Hot Cake was a hearty and warming dish that originated in proto-Hajimese culture. The dish was named after kurawari, which are spheres of rice flour made by pounding and shaping freshly milled rice around a wooden stick.

To make the hot cake, a variety of vegetables and meats (such as chicken, mushrooms, and leeks) were simmered in a broth made with dashi (a traditional fish stock), soy sauce, and sake (rice wine). The mixture would then be used to fill the transparent rice though, and the rice cakes were left to steam. until soft and tender.

The dish was often served during the colder months, when fresh vegetables were scarce and people needed a warming and filling meal. It was also a popular dish among hunters and woodcutters, who would make the kurawari rice cakes using rice that had been harvested from the fields they worked in and dried vegetables from previous seasons.

##### Tsuru Sake

Tsuru Sake was a prized alcoholic beverage that originated in proto-Hajimese cultures. It was made from a special blend of rice, koji (a type of fungus), and spring water that was said to have been blessed by the gods.

The brewing process for Tsuru Sake was highly ritualized, and only a select few villagers were allowed to participate. First, the rice was washed and steamed, then it was mixed with koji and left to ferment in a warm, humid environment. After a few days, more rice and water were added to the mixture, and the entire mixture was left to ferment for several more weeks.

Once the fermentation process was complete, the sake was pressed and filtered, then aged in wooden barrels for several months to develop its rich, complex flavor. Tsuru Sake had a delicate, floral aroma and a smooth, slightly sweet taste with hints of rice and a long, lingering finish.

Tsuru Sake was considered a luxury item and was often reserved for special occasions and important guests. It was said to have the power to bring people together and promote harmony, making it a beloved beverage among medieval Hajimese nobles and samurai. Today, Tsuru Sake is still produced using traditional methods, and is considered a rare and highly prized sake by sake connoisseurs.