• We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.

Heretic

Eigenvalue
4 Badges
Jul 12, 2001
2.160
2
Visit site
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Victoria 2
“Falling as the Cherry Blossom”
a Japan AAR

Alas and alack, Japan truly is a popular country for AARs. It was also one that I was keen to play, and still interesting. It appears that I will need to de a little more to engage attention.


1836-39

Stone sits flat
Chill spring breeze
See the swallow fly above!


Japan falls outside of the temporal powers of this world, and lies buried in its historical dignity. Bamboo and paper are used where others lead with steel and brick. How can these affairs be turned around?

Wars rage, with Russia imposing its colonial might, and the Mexicans trying to wrest control of the American southwest. Russia succeeded in their endeavours against Khiva and Georgia, the Mexicans let their victim state limp on in reduced and humiliated circumstances. The Texans applied to join the USA after a few short years, and were absorbed.

Further south, the Central American states fractured, with Honduras and Nicaragua breaking away. Britain marched on through India, adding Sind to their lands, with a witty Latin quotation to boot! Sadly, no similar punning was possible for Punjab. France was not left out of the conquest game, waging war in the Mediterranean and annexing Tunis.

Even the Italian peninsula was a scene of war, with Sardinia-Piedmont imposing their rule over the people of Parma.

At home a circle of gifted academics established themselves with government support to monitor the outside world, also spreading literacy through the population. A novel was written that criticised the government, which was naturally suppressed. Some unruly elements were disturbed by this, but this should not trouble us. Similarly a person claiming to preach ‘Socialism’ was found in Hokkaido in the cold snows of winter. Fortunately, most of the populace were inside, huddled around their stoves.


Warm home stove
Bright hearth fire
Ah I see you bring tea!
 
Thanks for the support Ksim3000, I like to reward keen readers, so here you go:

1840-1845

Carved ivory monkey
Clacking as it rubs
Against bright steel of my sword


We bring understanding of our noble history with a public museum. More academics and private education followed. The Court Faction prevailed in the elections that the Emperor had agreed to hold. By royal decree, almost all of the population voted in the correct manner.

France continued to impose itself overseas, and annexed Aldjazair. On the Italian peninsula, Sardinia-Piedmont grew in leaps and bounds, with the courts of Modena and Lucca agreeing to join the state, under pressure from the force of arms.

The government of the Netherlands suggested a most unusual diplomatic proposal. In exchange for some of their knowledge and technology, we should agree to be subservient to them. It has always been our aim to catch up with the advanced nations, and this seemed like a good opportunity. The court resolved to accept, but would aim to break the agreement where possible.

The ill educated populace did not understand the benefits of the agreement. There was widespread revolt throughout Nippon. Rebels raged from province to province, covering the whole of the northern part of the archipelago. This rag tag army of Ronin and disgruntled peasants were able to throw the conniving court out of power.

Problems continued through 1842, with defections amongst the armies of the Daimyos, the most serious being in Kochi. The matter was resolved at the start of 1844 as the Court Faction was restored to power through elections.

Our overseas ambitions being curtailed by the unwillingness of other nations to receive our diplomats, we attempted a colonial approach. Missionaries had been sent to Bonin, and the mission became operational only months before revolution toppled to government. Similarly, traders sent to Anami were able to establish control later in the year.

Our industrial program progresses apace, with a new limber mill in Tokai, and works to expand our glass factory in the same state. The great powers continued their manoeuvring, with the Tsar adding Bukkara and Kokand to their Asian possessions.


Bamboo waterwheel
Still you creak
In the shallow mill stream
 
Another interesting chapter old chap. Anyway, after the revolt, which faction rules over Japan now? Also, I like how you have described the situation in Europe. Let us hope that The Europeans remain out of your affairs. Anyway, I look forward to the next chapter.
 
oh, sorry, I got some liberals after the revolt, but held an election and quickly saw the court faction back into power, since the liberals were annoying about 80% of the population..

Also, apologies for the whole double post in the wrong forum thing, I have no idea how that happened..

anyway, next slice..

1846-1850

Sitting below plum blossom
Sipping rice wine
Contentment slowly grows


Revolts pass and times settle gradually. People long for the old ways, clarity. I know my master, I am his servant. How change brings distress along with it’s benefits. These academics began to stir up the populace, suggesting that the Emperor was not really descended from god. How preposterous.

Workers claimed they had rights to more pay, followed foreign customs and stood outside the factory gate. My heart is heavy that these things come to pass. The samurai corps dispersed them in a flash.

Abroad, our newspapers tell us that the Prussians have taken land from the Danish crown. As the map of Europe changes, we think that the world order may too.

Our colonies grow gently, with a foothold on the African coast, next to Ethiopia, also a few of the Spice Islands near Bali that the Dutch missed for some reason. Yebuti is claimed as a colony, and the Imperial Administration muses on it’s defence. New regiments are fitted out, to the new methods of war.

The cavalry divisions parade through Hiroshima before they are shipped overseas. Together they form the ‘New Nippon Army’ that will see us to greater prosperity. The shipment is slow, as only a small fleet of clippers is available, and each of the four divisions makes the journey alone.

Our new methods of woodworking are implemented in Kyushu, minor scandals as the industrialists are implicated in local graft. The Court Faction, keen to see that such allegations are put down, improves provisions for the regional judges and magistrates. Inquests prove that all was above board, and the milled lumber begins to make it’s long journey to the markets overseas.

The great British move against a small defenceless eastern nation of Burma. We watch, and note, these things must not be allowed to happen to us.


Croaking across
The warm summer evening
My gate demands its oil
 
1851-1855

Scorching sun scours
Dust and sand scrunch
A hot wind dries our sweat


Out islands multiply, the Empire of Nippon spreads south to the sea of Java. Our artisans gleefully work the new hard woods that are shipped to our shores.

The mighty Yankees humble the lowly Mexican, but leave him in charge of most of his lands for now. Similarly, Afghanistan settles a border dispute with Persia, taking some inhospitable mountains from them. How they live at the roof of the world we do not know.

Our New Nippon Army, a formidable force on horse and on foot has been champing at the bit inYebuti. At last preparations are complete, and the forces march across the border, in late October 1851. The Ethiops were no match for our rifles or our organised volleys, although the land was large and took some time to put under control. By April of 1853 all resistance had been quashed, and our civilian governor, O-Buremna-san was in place in Addis Abbaba.

The war was carried out with the background of rallies held across the length and breadth of Nippon. Our people could feel that the country was grasping it’s destiny amongst the powers of the world. Recruiting stations filled, and the army went from strength to strength.

As our star rose, another fell. The mighty Austro-Hungarian empire creaked and split asunder. Slavic, Hungarian, Polish and Italian minorities established petty statelets over almost half of the old empire. Thanks to popular discontent with the overlords, the campaigns to reunite the lands were only mildly successful. The Austrian armies did succeed in pushing back the boundaries, but the statelets were here to stay amongst the nations of Europe.

China was sore oppressed, losing land in treaty to both the Russians and the British, with the Russians faring the better of the two. Our diplomats began a long campaign of trying to repair relations with the Dutch, sorely tested in the revolt of 1842. It is a long road, but we travel it hopefully.

Our ‘Clean mind clean land’ policy progressed, with morality the watchword preached in every school. Gradually the state cut out opportunities for criminals to act, gradually our land becomes one to be proud of. The Daiymio of Msuka was tried for his pernicious behaviour, although allowed to commit seppuka rather than the humiliation of prison

Silk sash binds
Pen signs judgement
Ah the blue sky above!
 
1856-1860


Gently the boat rocks
I spy a glint in the deep,
Swiftly the fish flees!


The new colonies in Africa opened up a new mood among the population. No longer did they feel they toiled in vain, for the eyes of the world regarded them with note. Well, those of the population that cared, that is, as many lived their lives as they had for hundreds of years.

The new Nipponese army and industrial ministries echoed all that a fact-finding mission to London had discovered. They rose in stone, to the form of Kyoto castle, to show both progress, and history.

The growing justice department had a place too, and was proud at the low level of crime throughout the empire. A major investigation got underway as a steel shipment went badly astray. Sadly the culprits were never caught.

Our navy was expanded, and some of the New Nippon Armies were brought home, the rest remaining on pacification duties. The colonial lands grew apace, as states west of Ethiopia were opened up. Natives now laboured to bring the produce back to Massua, and thence by sea to mighty Nippon.

Our industries progressed apace, with our technologists successfully copying some of the mechanical production methods of the Europeans. Our ship building industry was also modernised, and new steel mills set up along the latest scientific lines.

Diplomatically, the Dutch were keen to take over one of the Spice Islands we had colonised, and they provided us with further mechanical advances. The Dutch advisory team were to take residence, and spread their learning about the empire.

Troublingly, the Egyptians lost some land in a war to the Ottomans, although none of this was on the ‘dark continent’. Again, the army of the Yankees put the Mexicans to flight, and again the Yankees were satisfied with humiliation of their victim. The statelets in the old lands of Austria had mixed fortunes, in that the Russians brought the Ukraine fully into the Slavic fold, but the Croatians managed to get overseas aid in resisting the Austrians.


Slow swirl of steam,
Gentle gyre of chopped radish,
This bowl of noodles will satisfy.
 
1861-1865

Your tribal beads
Sits crudely below
The regimental uniform


A new decade, a new blaze of mechanical innovation. Ever more inventions spread to our factories, some from abroad, some even developed in our laboratories. The price of ‘Jappaned’ fabrics rises in Amsterdam and New York.

The Yankee armies completed their work in putting down the southern rebels, and an uneasy peace fell across that continent. They also returned to show a little more of their ‘whupping stick’ to the Mexicans, who ceded swathes of land across the west of the Americas. The British also muscled in, claiming more land across the central part of the Americas.

Austrian armies acted to reunite the wayward citizens of Venice who had opportunely re-established their republic back in the revolts of 1853. How cruel is the punishment of the master on his wayward servant. Truly it is also just.

The Poles fared little better, but the Croats and the Hungarians both managed to attract a little international support, and came to truces with their aggressor. The Croats, however, lost significant parts of their coast to the Austrians. Perhaps the Austrians have a fear of becoming landlocked in the heart of Europe? Surely it will never come to pass.

Consolidating power is never easy, but the Nipponese army was proud to put some native regiments into service. They follow the standard operations laid down in Edo, and they perform almost as well as the native Japanese. Disquiet rumbled at home, but the government reassured the people, that colonials would never be granted citizenship, in acknowledgement of the natural superiority of the Japanese. A military parade was held to demonstrate this superiority.

As the Shinto mission in Lado was completed, the Nippon Land Corporation followed soon behind, opening up the land for trade, carrying off the wealth. Railways ran back to the port at Massua, ensuring swift egress for goods, and ingress for armies in the case of revolt.

The mettle of the new troops was tested as operations began against the southern territories of Egypt. Our colonies were starting to encroach all around that land, and surely they would benefit from our rule. Progress was slow, the land being open, and our cavalry needing to acclimatise before it could advance at will.


Scratches in the stone
Ancient picture of stork
What language do you speak now?
 
Four very good updates, Heretic! I must say, I am really enjoying this AAR! Anyway, it is could that you have got into The Colonial Race within Africa but I do have a question. Do you think that you will expand your Empire into Korea and China, perhaps even some Russian Territory? Also, how about the rest of The Pacific aswell? Still, update soon!
 
It seems my comment from your dual thread wasn't moved here, so I'll say it again - oooh, evil haiku!! :wacko: For some reason it has always garted on me, like nails on a chalkboard - but it surely isn't easy to write in that way so hats off there. It's actually quite a creative way to present the material and it's coming together nicely, but I echo Ksim3000 - any chance you plan on hitting the Koreans or Chinese soon?
 
thanks coz & ksim...

yep, i know haiku is a little tacky, but I wanted to put a little of the creative side alongside the more events driven side. i am trying to wean myslef off boring AARs, but keep the facts in too..

yep, Japan is pretty much all over Africa right now, having just about all the north east quarter of it.

uhh, well i was restraining myself from dumping on Korean and China, it seemed too much like the easy road to take.

Having said that, at roughly this point I realised I had a decent chance to really shine in the world rantings, so I changed tack a little..
 
Last edited:
1866-1869


The son, now grown
Strides, now runs
Fine young man; take the lead.


Our African regiments won the respect of the regulars, fighting alongside the New Nippon Army, and holding their own. The ancient pyramids were passed, and our forces reached the shining sea to the north. Our victims were also being harassed by their other powerful neighbour. They reached a settlement in the Autumn of 1866, loosing control of land down to the Siani. We took lands in the south, leaving a clean border between our lands and theirs. Perhaps later we would return to finish the work.

Our African missions continued, although frankly the native population was unmoved. They continued to worship their gods, but they no longer laboured in the old ways. Our influence spread now far into the heart of Africa, along most of the eastern coast. Perhaps we would need to negotiate with the Portuguese? The time had not yet come for that.

As a major shock, the rule of the Court Faction was broken, they had enjoyed power ever since the wise Emperor saw fit to allow the populace to vote. The ministries were in chaos, and the finances of the nation went a little awry. These things passed, however, and the benefits of the new approach became clear.

Abroad, the German lands were a hotbed of conflict, with the Prussians aiming to assert dominion over the clearly weak Austrians. Two years later, the matter had been settled in the field, with Austrian handing over Czech lands, and also some Italian coastline. This demonstration of dominance triggers ructions amongst the German minor states, who ally into Northern and Southern Federations. Thus Germany became not one but three powerful nations.

Tussles in the South American continent resulted in many changed borders, with Argentina snatching land from the southern edge of Brazil. Peru also trounced Ecuador in battle and at sea.

Another election campaign, another result, surely the times are changing in our country. The Imperialists came to power, promising progression and hegemony, without the old ways of the court. The purging of crime form our land continued apace. Our diplomats again persuaded the Dutch to give more assistance, ceding a poor, fish producing island in exchange. How these Europeans can be duped!



I bow deeply
The gift is suitable
We reach new understanding
 
1870-1873

Child hits hoop
Rolling fast downhill
Lo, it bounces away


The scene in old Edo is truly changed from that of years ago. Trams rattle through the seats, strange modern fashions replace traditional dress, and factories all around rumble with the energy of creation. Clothes, furniture, hats, ammunition, even machine tools now flow from Japan to be sold over the world. Our land grows rich. To cater for this, the Bank of Nippon is set up, and new legislation is enacted.

Our national pride is complete as the Meiji are restored to power. Our democracy recognises the need for a strong figurehead. This pride extends into the newly powerful Nippon Navy, which now has fleets of ships powered not be the wind but by steam.

Also, the new ways no longer accommodate the old, as the Samurai are stripped of their rights. The rotten old institutions were revealed, as the justice department brought aristocrats to court for fraud.

Northern Europe was wracked as the various Germanic states tussled for supremacy. The Northern Federation assisted Prussia against Austria, with the French, Danes and Swedes all acting against the unification movements. The Prussians eventually carried the argument by force of arms, gaining ground from Austria and Denmark. Oddly, Sardinia was also drawn into the conflict, and again the Prussian arguments were decisive, bringing some Italian lands under their control.

Closer to home the Chinese accepted our claims over the Ryuku Islands, also accepting our envoy Sho Tai gracefully. The Koreans were more trying, being rash enough to execute Saigo. Gunboats stationed off the coast acted to remind them of the strategic situation, and they later consented to open their trade. We shall not forget their imprudence.

Across the ocean, the Yankees again wore down the Mexican opposition, and this time claimed swathes of land from Monterrey to Tucson. The Dutch also had a successful colonial campaign against the French, claiming some Caribbean islands.

Finally, as evidence of the strong nature of our democracy, a new, liberal administration came to power without any disruption. The finance ministry implemented the new regime, although our national spending was sorely disrupted.

Paper dragon
Your dance is over
The tiger will shred you soon!
 
Ooh - I sense this last post has been a forshadow for events to transpire on the mainland. :cool: Any chance for a screenie to show your colonization in Africa?
 
1874-1879


Silent but glowing
Flat iron sheet
Awaits the crackle of okonomiyaki


Impatient though the Emperor is, his plans are carried out ruthlessly. The goal is surely to lead the world, which we show through the freedom with which our armies are deployed around the world. A brief show of force, and the natives of Abu Dhabi are subdued. Later, around 1878 our campaign against the Egyptians was wholly successful, bringing most of their land under our control.

Similarly, the offshoot of the Austrians, the statelet Croatia is made to declare our sovereignty. The major European powers see our strength, and hesitate to challenge us. Again we attack, with neat regiments unloading from the latest of naval forces. The beaches of Denmark receive us, and their pitiful army can do little to hold us back. Nippon took the Danish Caribbean isles, and one in the frozen north, but gifted Aalborg to the Prussians. We know the need for balance.

Balance is not evident amongst the German peoples. Having tasted federations, apparently they want more. A mammoth state forms across the heart of Europe, surely they will be a dominant force in the world.

The Tsar has troubles, in the declaration of independence by the Finns, also the Latvians. The latter gave little trouble, and accepted Russian rule once more, but the former were more steadfast. They retain some small local control, but have ceded their international affairs to Russia. The Ukrainians fared even better, keeping independence, but with a border to their lane that the Russians chose. Considerable diplomatic efforts were undertaken, to improve our relations with Russia.

The industrialisation of our fair land proceeds apace, with a whole chain of arms producing industries, and the necessary support constructed. Also, the first factories in Nipponese Africa were constructed in Shoa.

Some additional colonisation occurred, although the lands of Africa are large, and many parties sent out do not return. Equally worrying, rogue elements appear to be trying to teach our African subjects new social theories. Let them try, for the peoples are as conservative as their country is large.


Silk of the ancients is fine
My fingers ply the new silk
I find is strong and even