To the South Seas: 1668 to 1701
Emperor Reigen, Aug 1669 - Apr 1701
Emperor Reigen had been a boy of 14 when his father died and was considered too young to rule in his own name until the following year.
The new Emperor was a gifted diplomat, but cared little for matters of war or administration, preferring to spend his time speaking with foreign emissaries about distant lands.
This interest in the exotic led him to pursue his father's colonisation policy with greater energy. Reigen turned the resources of the whole Empire towards expanding Japan's borders in the relatively unsettled South Seas.
For the most part this was a peaceful exercise, although a border dispute with Japan's new neighbour, Makassar, escalated to such a level that eventually it proved necessary to annex the country to preserve order. Fortunately, Reigen's astute diplomacy was able to convince the Makassari nobility that Japanese service offered better hopes for advancement and the province was incorporated with little protest once the initial hostilities had ended.
In the same way the rich Wu province of Guangzhi was detached from that long-suffering country and brought into the Japanese fold.
It was easy to see the attraction of joining the Empire. By the late 17th century the economy was booming and new and more sophisticated methods of construction and communication were becoming commonplace. There were some who believed that the pace of change was too fast, but the nay-sayers were unable to make much difference in imperial policy.
Part of the reason for the great changes taking place could be traced to the European influence. To the Empire's south-west a small European outpost had been founded by a mighty kingdom. The settlers brought with them new ideas which helped Japan to reorganise its military.
There was some talk at court of establishing a similar colony next to the newcomers in the hope of learning even more from them. However, at present the Emperor had his eyes firmly set on the south.
New outposts were established among the myriad of islands which dotted the South Seas. These quickly became productive, contributing yet more to the wealth of the Empire.
Reigen's reign was comparatively peaceful by the standards of the day, but he continued the Japanese tradition of slowly reducing the Chinese dynasties' territory.
This was no longer the epic struggle it had been. The brief war against Qin saw Japanese forces - including their fearsome new artillery regiments - quickly dispatch the opposing armies.
Like his father before him Reigen asked only for limited gains. The provinces he took were rich and allowed Japan to expand at a modest pace without the risk of overstretching its administrative capabilities.
The final war of Reigen's reign was also the most straightforward. No longer was Wu the great enemy she had been. Only one major engagement was fought during the war and the invasion, occupation and surrender of Wu took less than a month.
The province of Chenzhou was painlessly incorporated into the empire and Wu once again humbled.
Under Reigen the Japanese Empire became the most prestigious nation in the world and the Emperor took steps to ensure that things remained this way, employing advisers who would further burnish its glory. His long reign would see Japan establish a firm foothold in the South Seas as a truly colonial power.
It seemed that nothing could challenge Japan's might.
Emperor Reigen, Aug 1669 - Apr 1701
Emperor Reigen had been a boy of 14 when his father died and was considered too young to rule in his own name until the following year.
The new Emperor was a gifted diplomat, but cared little for matters of war or administration, preferring to spend his time speaking with foreign emissaries about distant lands.
This interest in the exotic led him to pursue his father's colonisation policy with greater energy. Reigen turned the resources of the whole Empire towards expanding Japan's borders in the relatively unsettled South Seas.
For the most part this was a peaceful exercise, although a border dispute with Japan's new neighbour, Makassar, escalated to such a level that eventually it proved necessary to annex the country to preserve order. Fortunately, Reigen's astute diplomacy was able to convince the Makassari nobility that Japanese service offered better hopes for advancement and the province was incorporated with little protest once the initial hostilities had ended.
In the same way the rich Wu province of Guangzhi was detached from that long-suffering country and brought into the Japanese fold.
It was easy to see the attraction of joining the Empire. By the late 17th century the economy was booming and new and more sophisticated methods of construction and communication were becoming commonplace. There were some who believed that the pace of change was too fast, but the nay-sayers were unable to make much difference in imperial policy.
Part of the reason for the great changes taking place could be traced to the European influence. To the Empire's south-west a small European outpost had been founded by a mighty kingdom. The settlers brought with them new ideas which helped Japan to reorganise its military.
There was some talk at court of establishing a similar colony next to the newcomers in the hope of learning even more from them. However, at present the Emperor had his eyes firmly set on the south.
New outposts were established among the myriad of islands which dotted the South Seas. These quickly became productive, contributing yet more to the wealth of the Empire.
Reigen's reign was comparatively peaceful by the standards of the day, but he continued the Japanese tradition of slowly reducing the Chinese dynasties' territory.
This was no longer the epic struggle it had been. The brief war against Qin saw Japanese forces - including their fearsome new artillery regiments - quickly dispatch the opposing armies.
Like his father before him Reigen asked only for limited gains. The provinces he took were rich and allowed Japan to expand at a modest pace without the risk of overstretching its administrative capabilities.
The final war of Reigen's reign was also the most straightforward. No longer was Wu the great enemy she had been. Only one major engagement was fought during the war and the invasion, occupation and surrender of Wu took less than a month.
The province of Chenzhou was painlessly incorporated into the empire and Wu once again humbled.
Under Reigen the Japanese Empire became the most prestigious nation in the world and the Emperor took steps to ensure that things remained this way, employing advisers who would further burnish its glory. His long reign would see Japan establish a firm foothold in the South Seas as a truly colonial power.
It seemed that nothing could challenge Japan's might.