Sakura Empire
The Sakura Empire (桜の帝国, Sakura no Teikoku), officially the Empire of Japan, sometimes called the Empire of the Sakura, is a country in East Asia.
History
Background
Sakura Restoration War (izen1-1, GC 1814-1816)
The Sakura Restoration War (桜復元戦争, Sakura Fukugen Sensō) was fought between May 1814 and January 1816. The war began with the Battle of Wakayama, during which Sakura forces conquered the Wakayama Castle. Shogun Tokugawa Ienari sent a military force to retake the castle and defeat the Sakura Forces. After the Shoguns forces were defeated in the Battle of Misaki, the Sakura forces marched on Kyōto. The Emperor Kōkaku declared Himeko Tenkaku and the Sakura forces as enemies of the court, allowing any means to supress them. Despite heavy losses, Kyōto was taken by the Sakura forces. Shogun Ienari has died in the fight in the streets of the city, while Emperor Kōkaku was taken prisoner by Himeko Tenkaku. She tried to force the Emperor to abdicate and acknowledge her as the true leader of Japan, but Emperor Kōkaku refused. On the 18th of August, he was executed by firing squad, and Himeko Tenkaku announced herself as the "Daughter of Amaterasu" (天照大神の娘, Amaterasu Ōmikami no Musume) and gave herself the title of Tennō.
The death of Shogun Ienari and the capture of Emperor Kōkaku put the shogunal forces in disarray. Tokugawa Ieyoshi became Shogun after both his father and elder brother died in Kyoto. He began organising a new Army in western Honshū and rallying the Daimyos. After news of Emperor Kōkaku's execution spread across Japan, the Daimyos and the new Shogun were shocked. Prince Ayahito, then 15 years old, was hastily made Emperor. He called for the People of Japan to "deliver the punishment of the gods to the godless Himeko and her followers". As a result, two anti-Sakura armies would form: One in western Honshū, led by Shogun Ieyoshi which consisted mainly of shogunal forces and forces from the Shimazu and Chōshū Clans. The second army would form in northern Honshū, under the patronage of the new Emperor. This army consisted mainly of the Aizu, Jozai and Nagaoka Clans. Meanwhile the Sakura forces prepared a force under the command of Ayako Watanabe to cross the Osaka Bay and take over Shikoku and its sulphur deposits.
Shikoku was taken after a two month campaign beginning in early November 1814 with the landing at Kōchi. Meanwhile, on Honshū, Sakura Forces have taken control over the Ise and Tango provinces, while having partial control of the Echizen and Harima provinces. During the winter only minor skirmishes would take place between the Sakura and the Shogunate. In March 1815 the Northern Army under command of Yorinobu Nagaoka began an advance towards Yokkaichi. Despite heavy resistance from the Sakura forces, Nagaoka managed to conquer the city. He contiued his march towards Tsu, but was beaten by Aki Uchiyama at the Battle of Nakano River, during which up to 2.000 shogunal Forces drowned in the river.
One month after the Nakano River Battle, Himeko Tenkaku would start the "Northern Push" to take control of the nothern part of Honshū. The Sakura forces, being more mobile and using more modern, european weapons, managed to quickly advance towards Edo, where Emperor Ayahito resided. They besieged the city, while naval forces blockaded the harbour. Various Daimyo fleets arrived to relieve the city, but were narrowly defeated in the Battle of Edo Bay. After almost 3 months of being besieged, on the 22nd of September, Edo was captured by the Sakura besiegers, and Emperor Ayahito was taken prisoner. While the Siege of Edo was going on, other Sakura forces took control of northern Honshū.
While the "Northern Push" was going on, Shogun Ieyoshi ordered an incursion towards Ōsaka. Shimazu ships bombarded the harbour and defensive fortifications, while Chōshū troops would try to take the city. The Ōsaka garrison managed to hold the attackers at bay until reinforcements arrived. Nevertheless, the city took heavy damage during the fighting, with almost 80% of the city destroyed. At the end of October Himeko Tenkaku arrived with her army to beginn the "Southern Push" in November. The army, experienced after fights in northern Honshū, quickly managed to take control of the western parts of the Island. Shogun Ieyoshi took residency in Kokura, and most of the remaining shogunal ships guarded the Kanmon Strait between Honshū and Kyūshū or
the Bungo Channel.
The Sakura naval forces concentraded their ships and attacked the ships at Kanmon Strait, attempting to deceive the shogunal commanders into sending reinforcements from the Bungo Channel. The shogunal ships did indeed sail away from the Bungo Channel, allowing the army under Ayako Watanabe to cross the sea and land at Usuki. The naval battle at the Kanmon Strait ended in a costly defeat for the Sakura fleet, but it allowed the army to land on Kyūshū.
Ayako Watanabe quickly marched north towards Kokura. Shogun Ieyoshi tried to intercept Ayako Watanabe, but was defeated in the Battles at Shiida and Yukuhashi. Kokura itself was taken after one week of siege. Shogun Ieyoshi avoided capture by comitting Seppuku. With both sides of the Kanmon Strait under control, Himeko Tenkaku was able to cross it into Kyūshū. in the following month quickly taking the rest of Kyūshū, ending the Sakura Restoration War on the 22nd of January 1816.
Teishō Era (1-43, GC 1816-1859)
After the end of the Sakura Restoration War, Himeko Tenkaku assumed control with the regnal era name of Teishō (禎生, "Blessed Birth"), and solidified her control over Japan. She took the regnal era name of Teishō. Every possibilty of resistance was supressed bloodily. One of the first edicts issued was the "Edict of National Purity", which firstly removed all rights of the male population and later called for their removal from Japan by any means.
Teishō Reforms
Recognising that during the Edo period Japan has started to fall behind other powers in economical, technological and military affairs, Himeko Tenkaku implemented a large number of reforms. The aim of these reforms was to improve the economical and military power of Japan, but also to transform the feudal society into a modern system.
Prefectures
Another reform was the abolishment of the old, feudal provinces and the establishment of new prefectures. The new prefectures were a part of the imperial administration and headed by bureaucrats that were appointed by the Imperial Council.
Teishō Schools
In the year 8 Himeko started a major reform of the education system. In a span of 5 years schools were established in almost every town. The schools taught the basic skills in the most important subjects, such as reading, writing, calculating and handicraft work. Children between the age of 6 and 10 were required to attend the school four days a week.
Imperial Universities
In addtion to the improvement in basic education four universities were established. The knowledge taught was tailored to the needs of the country. The natural studies were heavily favoured in the coursework, as well as administrative subjects.
Shintō
The Shintō faith was also modified by Himeko Tenkaku. Most aspects from Buddhism were removed, and the japanese aspects strengthened. The role of nature spirits, especially the Yōkai, became more important.