Land of Asakia

The **Land of Asakia** (Northern Asakese: *Asakia Nokuni,* Southern Asakese: *Asakia no Kuni,* Tampog: *Asakia Kanta*) otherwise known as the **Land of Pink Cherry Blossoms** by some foreign accounts, is an island country located in the northwest Pacific Ocean in the continent of Aziana. It is bordered to the west by the Sea of Asakia and extends north from the Sea of Satka to the Mid-Pacific Ocean. Asakia spans an archipelago of 1,255 islands, each ranging from an atoll to a volcanic island, and around 650 of these islands are inhabited by Asakians, Tampog tribes, or a combination of both. The main islands are Asakia Proper, Satka, and Kamchatka. Its capital and largest city is Sogodana, which sits on the coast of the Sea of Asakia and on the northern river bank of the Sakura River, the largest river in Asakia Proper. Other large cities include Rantanishi, Dakodana, Ishikoto, and Sampan Hikiroa.

Asakia is currently one of the most densely-populated nations in the world, due in part to the nation's large population and policies regarding building space conservation and nature preservation. A large portion of the land's terrain is mountainous, with at least 1/4th of Asakia classified as "extremely mountainous." The tallest mountain in the Azianan continent, Mount Kissune, sits in the Inari Range in the north of Asakia Proper. Tampog natives inhabit the mountains and lesser-colonized reaches of Asakia Proper and its surrounding volcanic islands, and live in relative harmony with the Northern and Southern Asakese ethnic groups.

Asakia has been inhabited since at least 35,000 BCE, when Japonic groups emigrated to the island from Doitxok and settled there permanently. Pacific Islander groups have also emigrated to Asakia, forming vibrant and varied cultures across the region. The country has been ruled by an ancient council of elected rulers, known as the Council of the Cherished, which is ruled by a supreme Sworn Protector who is elected and rules for life or until retirement. This system of governance has been in place since 1103 BCE, meaning the Council of the Cherished has lasted for over 3,000 years. Asakia's religion is mainly dominated by Dobutsaka, an animist religion focusing on the worship of nature and the idea of guardians protecting its believers. Because of this, Asakia has one of the largest vegetarian populations in all of Vivaria, with at least 27% of the population practicing some form of vegetarianism. Beyond the long-lasting government, Asakia is also known for its innovative if not strange weapons and ship-building techniques, with the *shiru, taiho,* and *umiyosai* the most famous examples of Asakese military ingenuity and innovation.

Asakia is a Pacific power and maintains an important naval presence with its *umiyosai* reaching as far north as the southern reaches of Arctic Circle and as far south as the Ocean continent. Known for their vast contributions to culture, alcohol production, and weapons manufacturing, Asakia enjoys a prosperous economy with a sizable middle class and significant social welfare programs for the era. Healthcare, education, and to an extent food and water are free of charge to obtain in Asakia, and privileges to drink alcohol and gamble are provided by civil or military service. This has created an elite environment in bars and taverns all over Asakia, in which important government workers and military leaders tend to meet in high-end alcohol-serving establishments. The *umiyosai* is one of the most iconic naval ships in the world, and to be gifted a segment of such a ship is considered a high honor. Although staying in relative peace for decades, Tampog militias are a common problem in the Inari Mountains, and the military is regularly called in to clear out Tampog militia mountain bases. Asakia is known for its art, culture, music, animal domestication culture, and artistic creative expression, with even the most outlandish cultural groups and interests of society regularly accepted and sometimes eventually adopted into the mainstream cultural hierarchy.

On June 1st, 1789, the Asakia united with Doitxok to form the Realm, or Kokudo.