Izumo may widely be considered the heart of Ashihara, but in reality today its nothing more then people chasing lost glories and squabbling over the remains— Masamoto Makato, A Samurai's Voyages Around the World
Geography
The Izumo region at the heart of Ashihara, where it is south of Kumamori; east of Fukuyama mountains; and north of Kushatani, and Nakahoni peninsulas. The Izumo region is dominated by the central river valley which makes up half of the northern region, which is then broken up into the coastal south and Kosa Peninsula further east. In the west large grasslands are main feature, with the coastal areas being forested.
Climate
The regions Climate vary greatly due to trade winds bringing cold air from the north during winter, and warm ocean air during the summer. The southern portion tends to humid and subtropical, where the Kosa peninsula tends to much more less humid but warmer but larger extremes between seasons. The central river valley tends to be temperate, with less winds reaching, them and the effects of the mountains to the north give them a more moderate climate. The western most region is similar but tends to on the cooler and less humid side, although due to the effects the mountains, the area frequently droughts.
Natural Disasters
Much of the Eastern half of Izumo is prone to strong typoons doing the summer, and while winter storms do not affect the region as much, Kosa without any protection from mountains experiences major blizzards doing the winter months. While earthquakes are a minor problem, a much more serous issue is the frequency of flooding when either storms or mountain snow melting overflow rivers. In addition due to western grasslands, that portion frequently experiences major tornadoes.
Major Geographical Features
The Fuzan Sea is a semi-inland sea that is separated from the open ocean by Yamatai and Nakahonia. It has emerged as a crucial international trade route and serves as Izumo's primary access point for foreign trade, particularly since overland routes have fallen into decline. The sea derives its name from the Sea Dragon Fuzan, which inhabits its waters and rules over a vast array of marine life. Fuzan also imposes a tax on passing ships, which has made the dragon quite wealthy in recent years.
The Tiansu river is the world's largest river, spanning over 2,000 miles from west to east, starting from the Fukuyama Mountains and flowing into the sea. It serves as a crucial commercial route due to its significant depth, which allows ships to travel along most of its length. The river is named after the Tiansu River Dragon, which has been watching over it benevolently for thousands of years. However, the river is now facing severe pollution issues that have angered Tiansu. Consequently, the River Dragon has taken steps to encourage nations to clean up the river, although due to on going tensions have mostly fallen on volunteer efforts.
The Kanyi river while short, connects to the vital lake Yomagi which commercial ships in the south use to ease travel in the region.
Lake Yomagi is the second largest lake in the world, and has served as a major commercial hub since the Third Izumo Empire, the lake has also hosted major tourist and cultural attention of the years, which has made it an icon of Izumo regions beauty.
The Shinkyo Ruins are located on the main island in the middle of Lake Yomagi, and were once the location of the capital of the third Izumo Empire, but today is mostly an abandoned ruin with only a few villages remaining inhabited on the island.
The Shui Canal was first built in the early days of the Third Izumo Empire by the first Emperor Hachiman in order to connect the Tiansu river to Lake Yomagi directly. Following the collapse of the Third Izumo Empire, the Yosuko dynasty took over the maintenance of the canal. The dynasty, which occupies portions of western Izumo and has frequent disputes with the other Izumo powers to the east, considers the canal to be a crucial alternative to avoid losing access to the Tiansu River due to geopolitical conflicts.
The Seo Mountians, while not a major range, has been an important barrier between Izumo and Kumamori for centuries, mostly preventing any serous invasion.
Cultures
Yuzhou/Otha(ancient name): The Yuzhou people, who migrated into western Izumo three thousand years ago and were conquered by the Third Izumo Empire, have maintained a strong martial tradition and a culture of diligence and hard work inherited from Izumo. This has resulted in a high percentage of martial arts practitioners, with a focus on individual abilities and technology that aids individuals rather than factory systems. The Yuzhou see themselves as the inheritors of Izumo culture and tradition, valuing traditional values that they believe others have abandoned. The Yuzhou's strong sense of identity and adherence to traditional values may cause tensions with other cultures in the region.
Sansei: The Sansei are well known for their commercial abilities, and have devolved substantial tradition of meritocracy, where only the talented succeed and inherit, with inheritance by blood even being a taboo. In recent years, the Sansei have become a major center of manufacturing, having been the first to adopt steam power, which has further inspired a generation of innovators allowing Sansei to have many of the leading scientists and Engineers of the age. Despite facing challenges such as wars, invasions, and competition from foreign merchants, the Sansei have adapted and thrived, making significant contributions to Izumo's economy and society.
Mutaku: Mutaku culture is marked by a prideful and elitist mindset, with a focus on status symbols and education. They believe themselves to be the natural inheritors of Izumo and value luxury and power. While they have historically been known for their highly skilled administrators and artisans, but as industrialization gave way to strict organized factories along feudalistic lines the balance of power between classes was disrupted. In direct reaction, Koshu Revolution has greatly disrupted traditional structures, leading to a moral decay which has resulted in corruption and a continued thirst for power among the Mutaku elites and lower classes.
Kosa: Kosa culture places a strong respect for elders and maintaining social harmony, and the idea of filial piety is highly regarded, with children expected to take care of their parents in their old age. As such the elderly are highly respected and often hold positions of authority, with younger generations expected to follow their guidance and respect their decisions. Despite limited industrialization, many Kosa also work in traditional crafts, such as glass and ceramic making, which have become important parts of their cultural heritage. The Kosa are also highly independent, with individual Kosa cities having thier own traditions, which lead to preservation of city states. Overall, Kosa culture remains deeply rooted in tradition while adapting to changing times, blending their ancient beliefs with new ideas and practices.
Religion
The Izumo religion is a polytheistic belief system centered around the worship of a pantheon of deities organized as an imperial court. This religion was fixed during the third Izumo Empire, with Emperor Hachiman taking over the pantheon of Kami. The Izumo Court Pantheon is now mostly decentralized to individual nation-states since the fall of Izumo. The religion promotes moral education, martial arts, and social harmony among citizens. Hachiman is the Kami of war and Izumo, who is the Emperor of the Izumo Kami. Tenjin is recognized as the Kami of Magic and Hachiman's eternal Minister of Magic. The religion is a strong source of regional identity and internal conflict.
Regional Differences
Yuzhou includes many Kami which they have traditionally followed since before thier migration, as well as martial heroes who have become cultural Kami.
Sansei includes many foreign luck and Money Kami in thier version of the Pantheon.
Mutaku is split between those who those who maintain the traditional pantheon, and those in the Kushu republic who have attempted to remove aristocratic elements from the pantheon.
Kosa includes many shamanistic practices from before they adopted Izumo culture, which are meant to ward of bad luck and bring good luck.
Comments