#shogunate

[tanuki-kimono]

What patterns are traditionally allowed for a man's kimono? What little I can find indicates that it's stripes or nothing.

In the past, men kimono could be as extragant and luxurious as women's, but men modern kimono fashion takes a lot from Edo era.

The thing is: it was then super regulated by the shogunate which turned a bad eyes at the chônin (=commoners living in cities, especially rich merchants). Those grew richer and richer - much more so than many samurai, and the shogunate dictated sumptuary law after sumptary law to try keep them in check.

In men kimono fashion, this means lavish patterns tended to be hidden: haori linings, juban underwear, etc. It also means they turned to other time consumming techniques to show wealth: edokomon (tiny tiny tiny patterns), and nezumi (grey family) and cha (brown family) subtle colors are some examples.

This historical heritage is sadly still super strong! But that doesn't mean any pattern is actually forbidden :) They are simply used differently, and many men today are pushing the lines so bold patterns (and colors) make a come back!

On a side note, some patterns are much much rarer on women items while they are more easily found on men's: shunga (erotic art), yôkai and/or gruesome sceneries, variation on "manly" symbols like the dragon/tiger imagery, etc etc etc

[beardedmrbean]

[lovlyrp]

ꜱʜŌɢᴜɴ ✾ 2024

some of my fav shots (that've been giffed so far ^ ^) - gif creds attached.

[ricisidro]

🌸Shogun🏯🇯🇵📺🇺🇸

1980 vs 2024

#ToshirôMifune and #HiroyukiSanada

Lord Yoshi Toranaga was inspired by the life of warlord and later shōgun, #TokugawaIeyasu in feudal Japan.

#Shogun or the top military leader holds the real power in the country and act as regent for the Emperor. The #shogunate is a system of military gov't which started in 1192 and lasted until the 19th century.

Shōgun (2024) now streaming on #DisneyPlus.

#ShogunFX #history #fiction

[stesmancaveart]

My latest piece. The Red Panda Samurai.....

My latest piece. The ever adorable, ever deadly....Samurai Red Panda. A new character that will be added to the growing team of Warrior animals, for a new comic I'm working on. Enjoy.

[lauravanarendonkbaugh]

Get some popcorn, because I'm about to tell another tale from Japanese history.

(I like this terrible story.)

In AD 984, Prince Morasada ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne and became Emperor Kazan. He was 17 years old.

His mother was one of the influential Fujiwara clan, and "influential" is an insufficient word. The Fujiwara were tightly involved in imperial politics, married into every level of the royal family and holding most key ministerial positions. (In my Kitsune Tales stories, when Kaede takes the name of the Fujitani, that is my small nod to the Fujiwara of history.) Even today, over a millennium later, at the revered Kasuga Taisha in Nara (that's the Shintō shrine with the famous bowing deer), there is a gate that only the Fujiwara may use.

Fujiwara no Kaneie, Kazan's great-uncle, definitely had his fingers in all the political pies. But neither of Kazan's two principal consorts were Kaneie's daughters (one was a niece), so if either bore Kazan a son, Kaneie would not be entitled to a regent's position. There were two possible solutions: get an heir from one of Kaneie's daughters, or remove Kazan before he fathered an heir and replace him with someone in Kaneie's own line.

The opportunity opened in 985, when Kazan's favorite consort died, still in her teens. Fujiwara no Shishi was Kaneie's niece, but it was Kazan who mourned her. Beset by pressures of the competing ministers, grieving, and still only a teenager, Kazan likely fell into depression.

But Kazan's friend and cousin Michikane was there to support him. Michikane was only a few years older, and he knew well the pressures of the imperial court, being a Fifth Rank official himself. He empathized with Kazan and supported him in his increased religious studies, as Kazan sought solace in Buddhist teachings. When Kazan wondered aloud about leaving behind the world to follow a religious life, Michikane did not laugh, but encouraged him to think about it. When Kazan said he would like to become a monk, Michikane applauded his dedication. "And as the bonds between us are so strong," it is reported he said, "I will immediately join you, as a subject should serve his sovereign," and they would become monks together.

Plans were made, while Kaneie continued to apply political pressure. A message quietly passed to his two eldest sons prompted the three to take the imperial regalia -- the gods-gifts granting the divine right to rule -- out of the imperial palace and to Ichijō, son of a previous emperor. He was only 7; he would need a regent, and he was the son of Kaneie's daughter.

And finally, one summer midnight in 986, Kazan ordered his carriage out of the Sewing Hall Guard Gate. Some report that, as they rode out, Kazan hesitated. "Isn't this a bit hasty? Should we think it over?" But Michikane assured him he was doing the right thing, and further broke the news Kaneie had already sent the imperial regalia to his successor. Kazan conceded that there was no point to returning, and they went on to the temple Gangyō-ji.

Kazan shaved his head to take religious vows, but when he met his friend Michikane again, Michikane still had his hair. "I want to see my parents once more," Michikane explained through tears. (Culturally, he had a filial obligation to his parents, per Confucian teaching, and once he became a monk he would sever that connection. Wanting to see them once more was understandable.) "My parents won't prevent me from returning, though, and I'll come back soon to join you."

But Kazan, with slow realization, did not believe this last promise. He stared at Michikane. "You have deceived me."

"Why would I do such a thing?" Michikane protested. "I'll be back soon!" and then he left.

But the penny had dropped; Kazan now realized why Michikane would do such a thing. Michikane left the temple and joined the armed escort waiting for him, and they together rode home to his father, Fujiwara no Kaneie, regent to the new emperor.

(And now, the commercial)

The Only The Dead Face North Kickstarter!

In Only The Dead Face North, a rumor that a missing imperial treasure was taken by Kazan as he abdicated by night and hidden along a religious pilgrimage route sends humans and yōkai racing to find it, not only for its monetary value but for political leverage in the young shōgunate.

You can back the new story here, getting your own copy for as little as $5, or get the previous stories in the series in this exclusive boxed set, available only direct and, in honor of the Kickstarter, currently discounted with 25% off with code BETRAY (through Feb 22, 2024).

(And feel free to let me know if you enjoyed this bit of history!)

Find Me!

I'll be talking about history and my historical fantasy with Lost Without Japan, a podcast about visiting Japan and related cool topics. Watch for that episode the week of February 12, 2024.

And I'll join the fabulous World Anvil team on February 16 to discuss Kickstarter and projects. Watch us live at 1pm Eastern (find your local time here) or catch the replay.

[arthurdrakoni]

Flag of the Republic of Ezo

This is the flag of the Republic of Ezo.  It comes from a world where the Boshin War went slightly more favorably for the Shogunate forces.  As a result, the Meiji government was forced to, at least temporarily, recognize the Republic of Ezo.  It wasn't long before the Japanese declared war on Ezo once again.  However, the Satsuma Rebellion still happened and was a lot more widespread, emboldened by Ezo's success.  The Meiji government was forced to focus on quelling the Satsuma Rebellion.  Ezo was able to find support from France and Russia to help protect them from the Japanese.  Eventually, Japan had no choice but to formally recognize the Ezo government. 

In response to Ezo's alliance with France and Russia, Japan strengthened its ties to Britain and Germany.  Following their failure to capture Hokkaido, the Japanese turned their attention to Korea.  Ezo, under the command of the recently defected Saigo Takamori, also sent an expedition to conquer Korea.  Korea was able to play Japan and Ezo off of each other, and was able to maintain its independence.  In time, Korea was able to modernize and industrialize like Japan had.  Japan was humbled by its failure in Korea, and the Japanese were forced to focus more on domestic policy than foreign conquest.

Ezo also pursued a policy of isolationism following the failed expedition to Korea.  Some industrialization was a necessary evil, but on the whole Ezo strived to maintain as much of its traditional culture and way of life as possible.  As time went on, however, Ezo began to increasingly fall under French influence.  In many way, it could be said that Ezo had become a French protectorate.  

World War I started off around the same time, and with very similar circumstances, as our world.  However, in this world Japan fought for the Central Powers.  The Japanese were bitter at the British for selling weapons to Ezo, resentful growing opposition to the creeping British influence on Japanese society, and their alliance with Germany was as strong as ever.  Ezo initially tried to remain neutral, but a surprise Japanese attack prompted Ezo to join the Entente Powers.  The war ended in an Entente victory.  Japan was placed under crushing reparations to Ezo, and was forced to cease land in northern Japan to Ezo.

Japan began to grow resentful against Ezo, and began to rearm for another war.  Ezo and Korea were subjected to a series of harsh bombing campaigns. It wasn't long before Ezo and Korea were forced to surrender and formerly occupied by Japan.  The Japanese continued to expand their influence across East Asia and the Pacific.  It wasn't long, however, before they found themselves in conflict with the United States.  Like in our world, the war ended in an American victory.  

Ezo regained its independence following the war.  Though there is still bad blood between Ezo and Japan, the two nations are slowly putting their past behind them.  There is a movement to reunify Ezo and Japan into a single nation, but it doesn't have much support at the moment.  Still, you never know what the future might hold.

The flag is black and white in reference to the flag of the Tokugawa Shogunate, and the seven-pointed star stands for the spirit of the Ezo people.

Link to the original flag on my blog: https://drakoniandgriffalco.blogspot.com/2017/10/flag-of-republic-of-ezo.html?m=1

[odaclan]

Was Nobunaga actually already the “shogun” without having the “Sei’i Taishougun” title?

This was a theory that I found while trying to study the bureaucratic protocols and norms of the Sengoku. It suggested that Nobunaga’s reign did too have the approval from the imperial court, and he didn’t need to take over the “Sei’i Taishougun” title from shogun Yoshiaki.

After ousting Yoshiaki, Nobunaga was awarded the titles Dainagon (Major counselor) and Ukonoe no Daishou (General of the Right, also sometimes shortened as simply “Udaishou”). These are titles that the shogun traditionally also held, as the “Sei’i Taishougun” title is something of a unique title that is separate from the imperial hierarchy. Upon these appointment, Nobunaga was allowed to be addressed by the honourific address that usually only the shogun has: ue-sama.  

Some people thought that this means the imperial court has acknowledged that Yoshiaki’s authority is over, and Nobunaga is in charge now, even though he does not have the “Sei’i Taishogun” position at this point. 

The logic for that theory was that in that time period, the Udaishou was the highest imperial office that someone of the samurai class could have, hence the tradition of having the shogun also hold that post. The higher ranking Sakonoe no Daishou/Sadaishou post, the General of the Left, was traditionally held by the noble houses.

Shogun Yoshiaki and his brother Yoshiteru before him did not have Dainagon and Udaishou titles, and the last Ashikaga shogun to also have the aforementioned titles was their father Yoshiharu. Yoshiaki and Yoshiteru’s official court title was only up to the Sakonoe no Chuujou (Lieutenant-General of the Left), one rank under the Taishou.

Because in the imperial hierarchy Nobunaga’s Udaishou post outranks Yoshiaki’s Sakonoe no Chuujou, the theory posits that he is already acknowledged by the imperial court as the new ruler replacing Yoshiaki. That is, he is the “new shogun” (i.e the samurai ruler of the land), even though he does not actually have the literal “shogun” title. 

What will change if this theory turns out to be true? 

For one, it further confirms the idea that Nobunaga is not as wildly "out there” as most people thought he was. He still operated within the standard norms of the time period and adhered to the established traditions, and didn’t just smash his way through the court and government without regard to the customs. 

Also, if this theory is true, it would debunk all the Honnouji conspiracies that involve any variation of “the imperial court feared Nobunaga’s power/ambition”. If Nobunaga ruled with the approval of the imperial court, then all that backstage plotting makes no sense. 

And the last thing is that this theory being true would also further lend credibility to the other theory saying that Nobunaga wished to return the power to the emperor and do away with the concept of a “shogunate rule”. After all, the specialty-designation “shogun” title was the very proof of the samurai rule breaking away from and undermining the imperial court. Nobunaga choosing to not take the shogun post, and instead adhering to the “standard” imperial court ranks, was thought to be proof that he’s returning to the old imperial rule rather than following  the path of the “samurai/shogunate rule”.

Of course this is just a theory, and it only spawns more theories and what-ifs. I still find this worthwhile to consider because I’m realising that I don’t actually know what the rules and norms of the government of that time period is like. Even though in practice the daimyou and other local rulers largely disregard the central government (the shogun and the emperor both), I do see proof that the various rites and protocols still has to be performed. It means that the bureaucracy still matters to some degree, and learning about how this whole system works is something that is necessary to properly understand the Sengoku environment.

[kmalexander]

Moronobu Gansai: A Free 17th Century Cartography Brush Set for Fantasy Maps

The Tōkaidō was the most important of the Gokaidō (Five Routes/Highways) administrated by the ruling Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo Period. Running along the coast of Honshu, this road linked the shogunate’s capital of Edo with the imperial city of Kyoto. Along this route were fifty-three government post stations where travelers had to show their traveling permits and pay their toll before…

[whimseysthrone]

Blue Eye Samurai, s1 (Netflix 2023)

Blue Eye Samurai is a damn good show. A damn good show that comes with a couple of warnings. Continue reading Untitled

[the-bird-and-the-flute]

Ikegen - Shogunate boys at the University

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

Warnings: none

Words: 738

A/N: featuring yoritomo, morinaga, shigehira, tamamo and kagetoki

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

Professor - "Please take a look at your grades and see if there is anything you would like to ask me. I’ll answer your questions in class tomorrow. Have a nice day, everyone."

The shogunate boys are all seating next to each other with their tests in hand. Kagetoki smirks triumphantly when he sees he got a 10.

Kagetoki - "Hmm, that's not bad."

Morinaga - "Wow, as expected of Kagetoki. You also did a pretty good job, Shigehira. Congrats!"

Shigehira blushes at the compliment. He only made two mistakes in the test, so he also got a high grade.

Shigehira - "Ohh.. yeah… Thanks. It was not that difficult I guess…"

Morinaga - "It seems there is only one person here who is not that happy. I wonder why… Right, Yoritomo-sama?"

Yoritomo - …

Yoritomo - "Hmm…"

Shigehira gets shocked when he sees Yoritomo got a zero.

Shigehira - "Yoritomo-sama, I'm sure there must be a mistake. Let's talk to the professor… Maybe he can reevaluate your test and…"

Kagetoki - "There is no need for that. That's what he gets for partying all night long with Tamamo and those women last night. "

Morinaga - "Hehehe, it looks like our shogun didn't study much yesterday."

Yoritomo seems thoughtful when suddenly he has an epiphany.

Yoritomo - "I know how to fix this! You, woman!"

Shigehira - "Where is he going? Yoritomo-sama!!"

Yoritomo points to a student who was sitting on the other side of the classroom and walks towards her.

Yoritomo - "Hey, woman!"

Girl - "Huh?"

Yoritomo - "It looks like you got a good grade in the chemistry test, huh? That's very impressive."

Girl - "Hey, give my test back!"

Yoritomo - "How dare you interrupt me! I have an offer for you."

Girl - "Whatttt? Get lost, you fucker!"

Yoritomo - "Ohhh, that's very bold of you to talk to the Seii Taishogun like that. You're a troublesome woman, indeed."

Yoritomo - "Hehe, you know, what? I like you. Teach me chemistry now and I'll let you join the shogunate. How about that?"

Girl - "No!"

While Yoritomo annoys the poor woman, his friends are watching from the window a cute little fox surrounded by girls in the yard.

Shigehira - "Is that Tamamo?"

Kagetoki - "That lazy fox has no shame, hasn't he? He partied all night long yesterday, didn't study for the test and now he skips class to be spoiled by these girls?"

Morinaga - "He is very human-oriented ahahah."

Suddenly, a group of boys enters the classroom looking for a student to join their team.

Boy 1 - "Hey, anyone here wants to play baseball? We need another player."

Morinaga - "Yeah, I do!"

Shigehira - "Wait, Morinaga! We have a situation here!"

Morinaga - "I'll be right back. See ya!"

While Morinaga left to play and Yoritomo is trying to persuade a student to teach him chemistry and maybe join the shogunate to make good use of her knowledge, Tamamo is now facing a challenge of his own after a stray god appeared in the yard.

Now all girls are patting the dog, instead of him. Tamamo is frustrated. He wants all eyes on him. Why the humans are paying attention to a silly dog instead of a cute little fox like himself?

Tamamo - (Whyyyy? Get lost your stupid, dog! I got here first!)

Tamamo - (If this is Kagetoki's doing, he will pay for it. I'll get late to all next meetings!!)

The dog doesn't seem to even notice Tamamo's presence and keeps wagging his tail to the girls who are playing with him.

Meanwhile, Kagetoki and Shigehira watch the scene from the classroom window.

Kagetoki - "Hehehe, look Shigehira. The gods are punishing the lazy fox. Serves him right."

Shigehira - "Emm… Kagetoki, I don't think we have time for that now."

Kagetoki - "Why not? The dog just stole his spotlight. I'm having fun watching this pathetic Ayakashi getting rejected."

Shigehira - "Well… Morinaga is nowhere to be seen and Yoritomo-sama just made a deal with that random girl. It looks like she agreed to join the shogunate. So… Maybe we should interfere?"

Kagetoki - "Geez, fine. You go after Morinaga and Tamamo. I'll terminate whatever deal these two made right now. Let's go back home before Yoritomo recruits more weirdos to our group and Tamamo gets into a fight with a stray dog…"

[the-l-files]

So, I had a 3D exercise where the goal was to recreate in 3D a character from a pre-existing 2D artwork. The only limitation was that I had to choose from the ArtStation Challenge around the theme of Feudal Japan (https://www.artstation.com/challenges/feudal-japan). The original art was created by Servane Altermatt, go check her page on ArtStation (https://www.artstation.com/shaose)! Enjoy!

[whatevergreen]

Japan: 1 Silver Monme issued by the Bittsu Exchange office, 1744

Hansatsu (aka bookmark money) were a form of locally issued paper (card) money in use during the later feudal period, 17th-19th centuries, and removed from use by 1879.

The blue dye is to prevent forgery, as this particular shade of the color was restricted and difficult to produce.

[nomohmoss]

meet the archons

better quality

[fogaminghub]

🌸 Before the Dawn: Dive into the Heart of 1868 Edo and Kyoto! 🌅 

Get lost in the intricate narrative of Rise of the Ronin. From dramatic confrontations to the weight of your choices, this mission will captivate and challenge you. Are you ready to redefine history? ⚔️✨ 

Explore the bonds that connect us all and the choices that could change the course of fate!

[hybridreviews]

TIME of the SEASON Summer 2024 Edition: The ELUSIVE Samurai

Damn, this was elusive. Well, not that elusive. I didn't let it get past me.

OK, I’ve been hearing some critical praise for its first episode and yeah, I’m curious to see what this one is all about. I just hope this isn’t some critic bait where only they might like it but others won’t give a damn but it might be like shows like Frieren as in, people will love it but I just like it and don’t hold it to that high of a standard. This is The Elusive Samurai. Director: Yuta…