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The Boshin War: Prologue (1860-1861)

Storm clouds were brewing over Japan. For the past 25 years, the technology, culture, and beliefs of the west have been seeping into Japan. Japan’s isolation had ended, and the Shogunate was weakened. The Daimyo became split. There were those who supported westernization, who believed that modernizing Japan with Nanban technology would prevent the Nanban from an invasion by the Nanban. There were those however who thought that these reforms were rotting Japan from the inside, and that the traditions of over 700 years of cultural development were being destroyed in a matter of years. Yet there was one thing that both sides had in common:

Both sides were content with the government system.

No side resented the Shogun, and few people actually put the Emperor above the Shogun politically. The one thing that the Nanban could not alter would be the Bakufu. You see, the Shogun never really interfered much with the affairs of the Daimyo, especially those who fought against the Tokugawa when they first came to power. This was evident when a Uesugi was appointed as leader of the Oniwaban, and when a Satake family-member, a person whose family opposed the Tokugawa at one point, was appointed to the position of Tairo for twenty years. The Shogun also did not bother with the beliefs of the Daimyo, for he believed that the Japanese had no other choice but to appease the Nanban to prevent chaos and invasion. Tokugawa Iemochi and his predecessors had always followed the advice of the Roju, and they wanted westernization. It seemed that Japan would westernize into a more effective Bakufu, a modern government with modern technology and modern culture.

That all changed in early 1860. Shogun Tokugawa Iemochi would die that year due to a heart failure. His successor would be the young 23 year old Tokugawa Yoshinobu. Yoshinobu had enough with the beliefs of the Nanban influencing his government, his country, and wanted to get rid of them. He was a staunch traditionalist, who believed that the Nanban had to be stopped before they could further damage Japan. He needed a reason though for his actions, a reason to try and kick the Japanese out of Japan. His reason came that year. Emperor Komei, decided that now would be the time for him to strike out against the Nanban. He declared an “Order to Expel the Barbarians”, basically saying to the Nanban, “get out”. It would be the first time in 700 years that an Imperial Order would be used to great extent. The Emperor had ordered the Shogun. Nathaniel Hawthorne, the American ambassador, was outraged by the fact. Yoshinobu would use the Emperor’s decree and begin his crusade against the Nanban to expel them from the country. For the rest of the year, the Shogun would march his armies across Japan, to each foreign port of Japan, and removed every European from the area. His belief was very much like Matsui Hideki, but without any bloodshed, unless there was resistance.

C664t2k.jpg

(Yoshinobu with confiscated rifles)

America was furious. Yet, events in the South would prevent them from sending military action to subjugate the Japanese. Yet, America could not lose their own ally in Japan.

The Westernizers of Japan, Daimyo such as Lord Oshiro and Lord Hosokawa, found themselves in a bad situation. The Shogun and the Emperor both opposed westernization, and it seemed that the modernization of Japan would be stalled and never occur. The Shogun also decided that a show of force was needed. He organized an army, 10,000 strong, to march through Kansai, Chugoku, and Kyushu, the three regions that were home to the majority of Westernizers. Daimyo such as Lord Matsui and Lord Mori welcomed the armies, but Daimyo such as Lord Hosokawa and Lord Ito opposed them. The Army also made sure to stop in Lord Ota’s domain, as well as circle up North to Lord Takeshi’s domain. Lord Oshiro thought that the Shogun’s “parade” was a “violation of the rights of the individual Daimyo”. Shogun Yoshinobu responded by removing Lord Oshiro as Tairo, and instead decided to handle all decisions himself. Lord Oshiro was still Roju of Chugoku, but his chief position was gone. The westernizers were almost powerless, hated by both the Emperor and the Shogun. It seemed that their goals would never be obtained.

Until late 1860 that is. Westernizers called it a “Message from Amaterasu herself”. Emperor Komei died. The cause of death was smallpox, but traditionalists soon began to call the death “foul”, and that the Emperor was actually assassinated by the westernizers! Tensions would reach an all-time high, especially figuring who was now Emperor. The young boy was no more than eight years old. The new Emperor’s birth name was Mutsuhito, but you all better know him by his given name, Meiji.

ua2lWrU.jpg

(The young Emperor Meiji)

Emperor Meiji was young, but his decisions in the first years of office would be detrimental to the stability of Japan. Westernizers immediately moved to secure the Emperor’s favor. They brought large entourages to Kyoto, and brought gifts of gold and money. The Shogun also tried to influence the young Emperor via the same process. Western powers sent gifts to garner the Emperor’s support to hopefully stop the Emperor from continuing the policies of his father. Lord Mori, who was called upon to be the regent of the Emperor, would urge continuing the policies of Emperor Komei. The country held its breath waiting for the response of the young Emperor. The Emperor’s decision to supporting westernization or tradition would be decided when in November of 1860, the Emperor would travel to Osaka, the domain of Lord Kishiwada, a proud supporter of westernization. Emperor Meiji requested that Lord Kishiwada teach him the ways of the west, in order to preserve the peace in Japan. He had seen how well the reforms of Japan had helped the country out of recession and crisis growing up, and how lack of modernization allowed western powers to trample on Japan, as with the Turks invading Kyushu. The trip would be the first time in centuries in which the Emperor would travel outside of Kyoto. Lord Mori demanded that the young Emperor return to Kyoto and not bother with the likes of a family of known traitors. The westernizers, seeing their chance, had Lord Mori expelled from the position of regent, and a pro-western regent would be selected. Lord Mori was outraged, first the Shogun and now the Emperor had denied him positions of prestige. The Shogun’s fears were confirmed, the Nanban had infiltrated the Imperial Court, and the plot was revealed. At the start of 1861, he would organize an army to deliver a message to Kyoto, the Emperor must resist the urgings of the “Nanban traitors”, and support the traditions of his father.

The Shogun was now focused not on expelling the barbarians, but to put the Emperor back in line. The Shoguns were the true rulers of Japan, and their power would be respected by all, including the Emperor! No more shall the Emperor meddle in the affairs of state, he must submit to the will of the Tokugawa and remove the Nanban from Japan. Only then shall Japan be at peace, and its traditions be saved! The Emperor has forgotten what Japan was, and where he comes from, and must be taught a lesson!

OvZb4Gp.png

The westernizers now had the chance they have always wanted. With the Shogun being the only thing standing between them and a western, unified Japan, it was clear what must be done. The Shogunate had to be removed, for the sake of Japan’s future. The Emperor was at a time the only true ruler of Japan, now he must use that power once more in stopping the Shogunate from preventing the modernizing of Japan, and for the first time since Minamoto Yoshitome arose to the position of Shogun, make the Emperor the highest political authority in the land!

jg1c0nk.png

At this time though, a new militant movement began to arise in Japan. The idea of a republic, a government without an Emperor or a Shogun, was rising. Brought on by exposure to American democracy, these republican supporters would rise out of the shadows. Hailing famous figures such as Retainer Seita, they would try to subdue the Lords of Japan, that the only way towards modernization was to remove the ancient regimes of both the Shogun and the Emperor. Perhaps having neither the Emperor nor the Shogun, but an elected individual chosen by the people, was the best way for Japan to prosper.

The time was now for all Daimyo to pick a side, Emperor, Republic, or Shogun, Westernization vs. Tradition, Stability by Reform, or Stability by Removal. War could not be avoided, and Japan was to about to be gripped by the worst internal conflict since the Sengoku Jidai.

The Boshin War has begun…


-------------------------------------

Player Actions Needed: Wait...
 
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The Boshin War has begun! We have hit 100% Westernization, which means I direct your attention the the mechanics revolving around this:
The Meji Restoration: At some point in the game, Japan shall be faced with the option to westernize. This chain of events shall occur when the ability to westernize is allowed. This will devolve into a civil war similar to that of the Boshin War. The first step to determining the outcome of the war is to find out what side each Samurai and Daimyo supports. They can either support the Shogun, the Emperor, or the creation of a Republic (This is based on the Republic of Ezo during the Boshin War, and is for those who do not want to support either the Emperor or the Shogun). Next comes foreign support. If France is allied to Japan, then the Shogunate faction gets +20 points of power. If the British or Americans are allied to Japan, then the Imperial faction gets +20 points of power. Foreign support won't become too big an issue since it would be unlikely to happen, it is mostly for historical accuracy. Next would be to determine a victor.

Points of power shall be determined by a regional warfare system. I will split each army to find the brigades from certain provinces. Here is where it gets complicated. Each brigade is one point of power to the side the Province Daimyo supports. So if I have an army of three brigades, two from Province A and one from Province B, and Province A is Imperial, and Province B is Shogun, then the Shogunate gets one point of power while the Emperor gets two. If all provinces in a region support one side, and the Regional Daimyo supports the same side, then the faction gets +3 points of power. If a Regional Daimyo has brigades that are not serving any PC Province Daimyo under him, then those brigades count towards the faction the Regional Daimyo is following. If a Regional Daimyo has no brigades that are serving under any PC Province Daimyo under him, he does not get the +3 and instead just gets his factions points based on how many brigades his army has. However, if a Samurai who supports the Emperor is leading an army, each Imperialist brigade gives an extra point of power, and the same with the Shogunate. Samurai not in charge of an army give 1 point of power. The faction with the most points of power wins.

In all cases, Japan westernizes and we go to the rules regarding a civilized Japan. If the Shogun wins, the players will come together to determine a constitution for a military dictatorship. If the Emperor wins, the players will come together to determine a constitution for a monarchy. If the Republic wins, the players will come together to determine a constitution for a democracy.
Sound simple? It is all about arms now gentlemen. He who has the biggest army wins the war. Now is the time to act, now is the time to decide how Japan will westernize.

Army/Points of Power per Daimyo (Kyoto automatically goes Imperial, Edo automatically goes Shogun.):
Tohuku (5/6):
Daimyo Satake Yoshihiro (Akita) - b. 1812 ((Firehound15)) - 2
Daimyo Date Narikuni (Sendai) - b. ? ((Otto of england)) - 1
Daimyo Takeshi Ohba (Yamagata) b. 1807 ((LoggingOut))* - 3
Daimyo Tsugaru Noboyuki (Aomori) b. ? ((Le Corbusier)) - 1
((kingkaizer)) - 2

Chubu (5/7):
Daimyo Uesugi Narinori (Niigata) - b. 1820 ((Dadarian)) - 1
Daimyo Obama Baraku (Fukui) - b. ? ((Glueth)) - 1
Daimyo Sugawara Ryuga (Nagano) – b. 1811 ((Canadian)) - 3
Daimyo Ota Sukekatsu (Shizuoka) – b. 1827 ((liefwarrior))* - 8
Daimyo Toyama Norogumi (Toyama) b. 1797 ((viola)) - 1

Kanto (3/5):
Daimyo Motoro Kusanagi (Yokohama) - b. ? ((Terraferma))* - 7
Daimyo Hayashi Tadafusa (Chiba) - b. 1765 ((Towll)) - 1
Daimyo Matsukata Yusuke (Utsonomiya) ((Scrapknight)) - 2

Kansai (4/4):
Daimyo Tanabe Shinzou (Wakayama) - b. 1806 ((TJDS))* - 4
Daimyo Kishiwada Yukio (Osaka) - b. 1820 ((mrlifeless)) - 6
Daimyo Matsui Ichiro (Kobe) - b. 1811 ((AndreMassena)) - 4
Daimyo Ake Takahashi (Nara) - b. 1808 ((VibraniumTaco)) - 3

Chugoku (3/4):
Daimyo Mori Takachika (Choshu) - b. 1810 ((Qwerty7)) - 1
Daimyo Asano Naritaka (Hiroshima) - b. 1813 ((Marschalk)) - 1
Daimyo Oshiro Kazuki (Okayama) - b. 1809 ((Somberg))* - 3

Shikoku (1/3):
Daimyo Date Munenari (Matsuyama) b. 1818 ((Riccardo93/Revan))* - 4

Kyushu (4/5):
Daimyo Hosokawa Mitsuhide (Kumamoto) - b. 1815 ((LordTempest)) - 3
Daimyo Yamamoto Hirakuni (Nagasaki) - b. 1808 ((Davout))* - 5
Daimyo Ito Katashi (Miyazaki) - b. 1810 ((Michaelangelo)) - 3
Daimyo Nishimura Hiroshi (Fukuoka) - b. 1805 ((EmperorBasilius)) - 3

Samurai:
Shikoku (2):
Taisei Iwasaki - b. ? ((NiniNunny))
Sakamoto Naotari - b. ? ((zenphoenix))**

Chubu (1):
Takeda Suboro - b. ? ((Gen.Marshall))**


*=Regional Daimyo. Regional Daimyo get the armies of all unoccupied provinces.
**=Samurai in charge of an army.

Now I did recruitment based on who was asking for them. I usually recruited first in the province of the Roju, then I recruited in the provinces unoccupied by players. Then I raised troops in the provinces owned by ideologically similar Daimyo, then I recruited in the rest.

Now, the vote is simple:


Sample Ballot:

Allegiance: Emperor/Shogun/Republic/Neutral

[Daimyo Rank (Provincial/Regional)/Samurai]
[Region]

Voting ends in three days, Wednesday at 9:00 PM EST or Thursday at 1:00 AM GMT. Vote wisely. Do not vote based upon survival instincts, for even voting neutral can get you killed.
Good luck to all
 
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Allegiance: Neutral

[Provincial]
[Tohuku]


I must urge all Daimyo to join with me in opposition to this sad excuse for a "war." Such blatant attempts to throw out the prior order are sickening- we have prospered under the wise delegation of authority by the Emperor to the Shogun, and it was under this rule that we found great success in avoiding instability... Straying from these standards has sent us into rough, churning waters, and I see no way out other than to avoid such conflict altogether. The is a great calamity which may be avoided, but we must join together in unity against the common threat of destabilization. I advise that one supports neutrality over such a petty conflict.



SATAKE YOSHIHIRO,
10th Lord of Kubota
 
All honor to the Shogun!

It was the Tokugawa family that gave we, the Daimyo, our feudal domains, gave us our power and position. Our rights derive from the chain of command, and the Shogun s our commander-in-chief. We must obey. Here in Aomori, the northern gate of Honshu shall remain forever loyal to the Bakufu.

Komei's sudden death was the will of Heaven showing its displeasure. The Imperial family has lost the mandate of heaven, and no longer has the right to reign in Nippon. The Tokugawa have ruled in wisdom and strength for centuries and now shall reign as the monarchy as well. The Imperial Restoration Front traitors using the child Meiji as their puppet, in order to sell Nippon to the nanban, shall be crushed as we throw them and the foreign spies out with their own Western weapons. We shall demonstrate the true strength of Nippon to the world and undo the shame of the past!

The Falling Leaves Society stands in eternal defense of the Shogunate. Shall you join the glorious cause?


If the IRF like Oshiro are allowed to trod over our traditions, the domains shall surely be abolished and only those who cling to the Imperial court and the corrupt puppetmasters behind Meiji shall have power. If you want to preserve your rights as Daimyo and samurai, you must join the glorious cause of the Shogun.

If the IRF are allowed to trod over our traditions, it will mean the end of military rule and the softening of Nippon. We will become a completely different people, weak and western in spirit was merchants and farmers take over where once soldiers stood.

If the IRF are allowed to trod over our traditions, it will ultimately mean that the victory of these so-called "republicans" and the kyowashugi of Seita will fall over Nippon like a shroud of darkness; because how can a weak child of an Emperor and the treasonous schemers propping him up hope to ride the tiger of their American backer for very long before being ripped apart by the Western influence they hold so dear?

Loyalty to the Shogun! Throw out the Nanban!

Allegiance: Shogun

[Provincial]
[Tohuku]
 
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Allegiance: Neutral

[Provincial]
[Chubu]


While I sit and watch,
The elements twist and rage,
Encased in hate,
Fighting shows their turmoil.

The elements bring death,
Cast a shadow 'cross Nippon,
I do not wish this,
So I will not bring more death,
More hate, pride, envy, and wrath,
To my everloving home

Uesugi Narinori ~ 1860

 
Kyushu stands with the Emperor.

-- Hosokawa-dono
 
((I have decided to remove the +20 benefit for being sphered by the Americans to the Imperials. It would be too unfair to the Shogunate))
 
Allegiance:Emperor

[Regional Daimyo]
[Chubu]

The Shōgun has brought this war upon himself. By removing Tairo Oshiro from his rightful position he has shown that he does not care for the Daimyo that govern Nippon. For this alone he should be punished, but when he decided to revoke the powers the Emperor had gained under the great Satake he stepped over the line. To support the Bakufu is to support Nippon's destruction, along with your own. For these reasons I advocate supporting the Emperor. I do however understand the position of many other Daimyo of our nation; those who have chosen to stay out of this war. They believe in peace and chose to distance themselves from the destruction of war, an honourable thing to do. I believe that these men should not be thought of traitors or enemies, they should not suffer for their inaction.

~ Ota Sukekatsu; 3rd Lord Fureno-Shizuoka, Rōju Representative of Chubu, War Adviser of Nippon and Supporter of the Emperor
 
Allegiance: Emperor

[Provincial Daimyo]
[Kyushu]

If we truly wish to prosper as a nation in this world, we must not fear progress. We have seen how easily the Nanban can violate us when we are unprepared. We must make use of their technology and use it to protect ourselves. The Emperor understands this; therefore, I back the Emperor. The Shogun was never meant to be above the Emperor, yet he has acted as such in all but name for centuries. It is time we rectify this mistake and place the Emperor back in his rightful spot as true ruler of Nippon. Glory to Nippon and glory to the Emperor!
 
Allegiance: Shogun

[Provincial]
[Kansai]

My brother and clan have been vindicated in the eyes of Nippon. It is time to exterminate the nanban red-cheeks and remove their foul influence from Nippon. We must protect our traditions from these vile creatures. The Emperor's wicked advisors must be removed and he must be shown the path of righteousness and follow in his father's footsteps.

Long live the Shogunate and long live Nippon!

-Lord Matsui Ichiro, Daimyo of Kobe
 
Allegiance: Emperor

[Provincial]
[Kansai]


Japans Divine ruler must return to his rightful place as the Ruler of Japan.
 
((Please use the format naxhi provided to ensure that your vote counts))

Allegiance: Emperor

[Provincial Daimyo]
[Kyushu]
 
Allegiance: Emperor

[Regional Daimyo]
[Kyushu]
((With the bonus now that all of Kyushu has now declared for the Emperor))

A Message to the Daimyos of Japan

My Lords of Nippon

The Fujin League has chosen to support our Emperor. I now ask that you other Lords join this cause, to avert war by creating unity amongst our clans, or if there must be war, that our army may be the largest and overwhelm our foes so the result can be swift and decisive so that the Gaijin do not have an opportunity take advantage of our quarrel.

The Lords of Kyushu have been like clouds. The Shogun paid us little heed as we floated along, slowly gathering our strength. He thought to scare us like children with his parades but the clouds blew over the forests of his yari and silently watched the retreat of the fleeting streams of his ashigaru. We obeyed the Divine Wind which guided us and brought us together, gathering as a mighty storm, like a Tayfun, dark and foreboding in our might, arrayed before our Emperor, whose sun burst stretches its rays to blind our foes and bring fear to their hearts.

To those who have backed the Shogun, I recognise the honourable conduct of answering your master's call, but I ask, is it not more honourable to answer the call of your master's master instead? The Shogun is a great man but the Emperor is a God. You can not hope to stand against the Divine Will. I implore you to move your banners to the Emperor's camp and respect the rule of the descendant of Amaterasu. But if you will not join us, I will honour your challenge and do my best to bring you a swift death so that you may join your ancestors that much sooner.

To those who are neutral, I ask you to carefully reconsider. To fight against the Emperor may be wrong but the vanquished who die on the battlefield will at least be remembered as honourable warriors and their families will seek the blessing of the ancestor who drew their sword. When the battle is fought and the victors are celebrating, what will you say when you approach their camp, and they ask, where were you this day? Will you tell them that your katana slept in its scabbard as brave men fought? That you sat with the women and children in your castle until you hear the clash of yari and the sweet music of steel on steel no more, knowing that it was safe once more to venture out of your gate? There is still time to rally to the Emperor. To strike down the foe at the end of a battle is as important as to kill the first man. To miss this battle for fear of choosing the wrong side is to curse your children with a name that will bring dishonour for years to come.

We ask that you join us, the men of Kyushu, and others such as the great Lords Ota and Oshiro, who have declared to fight by our side.

We stand for the Emperor, Nippon and our Honour.

Yamamoto Hirakuni
Daimyo of Nagasaki
 
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((Private, Thunder Alliance Members))

OvZb4Gp.png

Dear sirs.

I have noticed that you are troubled by the coming conflict. You have declared neutrality for the sake of preserving peace. You do not know what side you wish to join. I will tell you now, there will be no peace until the Nanban are removed from the Imperial Palace. I stand firm to many of the beliefs of the Thunder Alliance. I believe in the status-quo, I believe that the system of Daimyo loyalty has worked very well for the past few centuries. But what I cannot stand is the fact that the Nanban wish to undermine this entire system with their governments and culture! If the Emperor wins, the Daimyo and the Samurai shall be disbanded and replaced with western title of nobility! The pact that the Daimyo have made with the Shogun will be broken, and the Emperor will centralize this entire country! I know the Thunder Alliance wants the balance of power to be between Daimyo and the Shogun, but if the Emperor wins that will not happen. Join me, dear Thunder Alliance members, Lord Satake, Lord Motoro, Lord Asano, and I will make sure the Daimyo remain in-tact and the current system of loyalty and governance remains! Join me, and the Nanban will fail in removing the Daimyo and Samurai! Join me, and the status-quo shall remain!

-Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu


((Private, Qwerty))

OvZb4Gp.png

Lord Mori.

You had served Emperor Komei and Emperor Ninko well. You have stood by their sides and encouraged tradition through the Imperial Court. I know Emperor Komei's order to expell the barbarians was your work as well as the Emperor's. You must understand that the Nanban have infiltrated the Imperial Court. I know it pains you that your loyalties have been constantly been rewarded with removals and dishonor. My ancestor, Tokugawa Ieyoshi, removed you from Chugoku's Roju, and I know how you felt. You have always been an Imperial, and a man who favors the traditions of our ancestors. I know it pains you to see the Emperor turn to the Nanban, to try and enforce Nanbansense among the people, but you must be diligent. You must fight the Emperor else the Emperor will fight you. You must fight the Emperor to save the Emperor. Join me, Lord Mori, and I will make sure that Kyoto is returned to the rightful hands of men like you, and that the Emperor never goes astray again.

-Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu
 
Takeshi was walking in his garden when he received the report of the imminent war. Tree's flowers was falling like soldiers. He shuddered at the thought.
<<It's time?>> he asked to the messenger.
<<Yes>>
<<I waited a long time but I never felt ready. I'll get my weapon.>>
As he walked he looked at his house wondering if one day would see it again. He looked at the trees without flowers wondering if they would survive the winter. He looked at the young men who were preparing for war wondering how much of their blood had to pay for Japan's glory.
<<You know>> he said to the messenger while he shined the katana's blade he had taken from his father before leaving home <<men choose the path of war because diplomacy is made of talks and boring discussions.>>
<<Would you have chosen the other way?>>
<<Maybe>> he said bowing his head <<let's go to war.>>
He come out quickly to protect his Emperor, Japan, his home.

Allegiance: Emperor
[Regional Daimyo]
[Tohuku]

-- Takeshi Ohba
 
Allegiance: Emperor

[Karo]
[Shikoku]


天皇 栄光 バンザイ!
Ten'nō eikō banzai!

~Sakamoto