Ōkami Shogunate

"Dai Ichi, Dai Man, Dai Kaichi."

大一大万大吉

"All for One, One for All, and may Heaven Bless the Land."
-Ishida Clan motto-


"They are a rough and a fearless people, lambs in their own country, but well-nigh devils outside of it."

UEG Officer recalling a 1615 quote by a Dutch commander.


Dai Ōkami Bakufu

The Ōkami Shogunate's throne world, Ōkami, is located at the midway point between the Sol and Fantoma Sectors, roughly 3000 light years from each. The systems primary, Amatarasu, is a K1-IV Class Orange Main Sequence Star orbited by eight planets and two asteroid belts. Ōkami is a lush and verdant blue green sphere with a vibrant and diverse biosphere and is orbited by two small terrestrial moons.

Contents

  • History:
    • An abridged accounting of the Dai Ōkami Bakufu's journey over the last 100+ years.
  • Overview
    • Information about the Ōkami Shogunate
  • Out Sphere Holdings:
    • Information on Bases and other facilities held by the Shogunate
  • Structure:
    • Information of the Governmental and Legal structure of the Shogunate
  • Law and Order
    • List of crimes and their consequences
  • Places of Interest:
    • Information on special places within the territory of the Dai Ōkami Bakufu.
  • Red Seal Trading Company:
    • Information on the Red Seal Trading Co. and their vaunted Red Seal ship.

Ōkami-jin

Like her territory, the Ōkami Shogunate's peoples are just as diverse, and her population of over 17 Billion is made up of Garudan, Human, Invid, Karbarren, Pyertonian, Tiresian, Trow, and Zentraedi all living under a single banner, all Ōkami. Despite the racial differences and disparate systems of their ancestors, the citizens of the Ōkami Shogunate are bound together into a homogeneous whole based on a common language, common religion, and common culture. The three pillars of Japanese, Shinto and Bushido make the Shogunate what it is, and Ōkamijin who they are. The diverse races that make up her people came from cultures that allowed easy integration; the Zentraedi, Trow, and Karberran are warrior races at their heart to which the precepts of Bushido fit. The Garudan concept of Hin is about as close to Zen as one could get and Pyrtonian mysticism complimented Shinto spiritualism easily whereas the Invid, with no prior culture to call their own, just went with the flow.

Garudan:

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  • Population Demographic: 5.24 %
  • Population Total: 890,800,000
  • Avg Height (Male): 5'9" - 6'8"
  • Avg Height (Female): 5'5" - 6'4"

Ōkami of Garudan decent, affectionately called Neko-Jin, can often trace their linage to the Kokiri system as members of the Unmasked. Early in the Shogunate’s history the Shogun extended to the Governor General of Kokiri an open invitation that she and her people would be welcome on Ōkami should the sectarian strife between the Unmasked and the Children of Gaea persist. This invitation was accepted some years later.

Almost overnight the Kokiri Colony immigrated alongside many of the Unmasked still living on Garuda. Ferine Mara was named Hatamoto and her people were welcomed with open arms. Anime tropes aside, the Ōkami Neko comprise 5.24% of the population and occupy all walks of life. They make fierce and dutiful warriors, and many have careers in the Kempaeitai or Keisetsu. It is rumored that the Shogun employs trusted Neko-jin psychics as part of her Castle Guard and one, with formidable precognitive and clairvoyant ability, serves on the Council of Regents. They are utterly dedicated to the Shogunate and are quick to react to any perceived slight against it.


Becoming Ōkami-jin: Shogunal Immigration Policy


Ōkami-Do

Ōkami-Do, or the 'Ōkami Way'. These are the values that make Ōkami what it is. It should be noted that since the majority of the leadership of the Shogunate spent their formative years either aboard star-ships or within space stations (Luna Base) a form of 'shipboard discipline' is strongly ingrained in all levels of society. Simply stated, the individual member of Ōkami society is not quite as "free" (in a certain sense) as a 20th century western man (or counterpart in an other polity), because the individual is strongly constrained by a set of expectations and responsibilities.

The individual is expected to be an active citizen, and is conceived of as having both civil liberties and responsibilities. The fragile ecological and social environment found on ships and station has lead to the development of society where the individual is expected to take his social role very seriously, and to contribute to the working of things around him. Consider this example; on a spacestation, if a civilian saw something like an air leak in the hull, and didn't report it to anybody, they would be endangering not only their own life but also the lives of everybody on the station. So, that is a crime. This aspect is reinforced among immigrants processing thru Acculturation Centers, as the two largest (of three total) Acculturation Centers are, in fact, large space stations.

The individual is expected to behave in an intelligent, responsible manner, and to be aware of the implications of his or her actions. Citizens are expected to be aware of the long running consequences of their actions, and to act accordingly.

In another example; if a person is injured, it is the civil duty of passers-by to assist that person however possible. If a passer-by refuses to aid the injured party, or pretends to ignore them, then the passer-by is held to be partly responsible for the subsequent condition of the injured man, and will be charged under law accordingly. Likewise, the tools of an ordered and peaceful society are its security measures, and the co-operation of the common citizen is an expected duty. To an Ōkami-jin, running away from or obstructing the authorities is a clear admission of guilt.

The practical upshot of the social attitudes prevalent in Ōkami culture is the creation of a society who's individuals are very, socially, and ecologically aware. The average citizens feel that they have a vested interest in their society and their planetary environment. Forethought and responsibility are highly valued faculties. In the context of culture, "honor" also equates to social responsibility. (See Bushido below)

Two primary pillers comprise Ōkami-Do; Shinto, as mentioned above, and Bushido.

Ōkami-Shinto

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Ōkami society is heavily steeped in traditional Shinto. (Koshinto, Shrine, and Folk Shinto). This system, or Ōkami-Shinto, espouses hard work, frugality, ancestor worship, harmony with nature, belief in the Kami (spirits), nationalism, and altruism. As Ōkami-Shinto is the religion of the realm and forms part of the backbone of Ōkami society, no other conflicting religions are permitted within the mainstream. One may worship another faith if they wish, in private. No proselytization or evangelism is allowed, or tolerated. Practitioners express their belief through a standard language and practice, adopting a similar style in dress and ritual, dating from around the time of the Nara and Heian periods of ancient Japan.

Bushido

Practiced alongside Ōkami-Shinto are the precepts of Bushido, the Way of the Warrior, and it’s ten virtues;

  • 一 Rectitude and Justice
    • ‘Rectitude is one’s power to decide upon a course of conduct in accordance with reason, without wavering; to die when to die is right, to strike when to strike is right.’
  • 二 Courage
    • ‘Perceiving what is right and doing it not reveals a lack of Courage.’ In short, ‘Courage is doing what is right.’
  • 三 Benevolence and Mercy
  • 四 Respect and Politness
  • 五 Honesty and Sincerity
  • 六 Honor
  • 七 Loyalty
  • 八 Filial Piety
  • 九 Character and Self Control
    • 'It is a wretched thing that the young men of today are so contriving and so proud of their material posessions. Men with contriving hearts are lacking in duty. Lacking in duty, they will have no self-respect.'
  • 十 Respect and care for the elderly
    • 'When you are listening to the stories of accomplished men and the like, you should listen with deep sincerity. Within the tedious talk of old folks are their meritorious deeds.'

Bushido is, essentially: chivalry. This has created a pragmatic, brave, industrious, polite, yet direct people who do not suffer thoughtless, obsequious, or cowardly behavior lightly.


Slice of Life in the Shogunate

Every child in the Shogunate receives their name in a small ceremony three or so days after their birth. Friends and relatives attend, bringing gifts for the child. At the age of one month the child is taken to the local Shinto Shrine and his/her name and date of birth is recorded and the child formally becomes a member of the community.

Chonaikai “Neighborhood Watch”
A neighborhood watch consists of groups of 10-15 households organized for fire fighting, civil defense and internal security. This 'watch' that can provide limited local administration and disaster relief duties until First Responders arrive and then will assist them for the duration of the crisis. The watch also aids the elderly and disabled, holds cultural and sports activities, and when a member of the community dies, watch members assist the bereaved family with funeral arrangements.

A child is given a great deal of love and affection, but from nursery school on, the child is trained in obedience, bushido and duty. Children are brought up with the obligation that they do nothing to bring shame to the family reputation and with the expectation that they will achieve great things.

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Typical Ōkami Suburbia Your average Ōkami home

Many youth programs such as scouting and clubs in various persuasions are commonplace and children routinely participate in competition to hone their skills, bring honor to their family and clubs name, and in general for the fun of it. The most common clubs are combat based, kendo, aikido, karate, shooting, power armor, mecha. To an outsider this bares the hallmarks of a ‘warlike race’; to Ōkami-jin, its Tuesday.

Kyudo
Kyudo is a popular martial art in the Shogunate.

‘Scouting’ in the Shogunate is essentially unchanged in focus from Baden Powell’s 1907 vision, albeit with a decidedly Ōkami flavor. The young of the Shogunate can join these organizations which teach them wilderness survival, outdoorsmanship, respect for nature and the Kami, social responsibility, citizenship, character development and self reliance.

  • Etai Sendatsu (Nature Guide): Ages 8-11
  • Sakai Seinen (Frontier Youth) (Co-ed organization) Ages 11 - 14
  • Sakaijin (Ranger): (Co-ed organization) Ages 14-18

Other popular clubs deal with more esoteric or traditional pursuits like calligraphy, magic, ikebana, and music. Martial arts and martial skills are taught at all levels of education alongside physical fitness and academic acumen. Higher education is prized and is held in the same esteem as the martial pursuits. Students vie for positions in prestigious universities and military Academies. While the selection process is designed to challenge the individual and allow for a good fit of student and school, notably absent is the much condemned phenomena of old Earth Japan’s ‘Examination Hell’.

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Small town festival on Ōkami.

Festivals ’Matsuri’ are popular and many emulate the traditional Japanese festivals of old Earth, especially popular is the Bon and Hanami Festival. Matsuri commemorate the beginning of the New Year; Ōmisoka, and the changing of the seasons; Setsubun as well as nature and respect for ones ancestors; Shunbun no Hi, and Shūbun no Hi respectively. Immensely popular is the Hadaka Matsuri.

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Ōkami Mon
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Dai Ichi, Dai Man, Dai Kaichi.
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