Jū-kinai

Jū-kinai (The Ten Provinces) was a nation of ten allied provinces on the island of Fusō. Each province was controlled by a powerful family who swore fealty to the Kinoshita Clan in Year 1 of the Golden Calender. The alliance broke apart following the assassination of the Emperor, Kinoshita no Akihiko on the final day of the year 559.

History

The unification of the allied provinces was led by the warlord Kinoshita no Akizumi of Settsu Province. Akizumi claimed to be the grandson of sun kami Ōhirume no Muchi and that she had instructed him to unite the Yayoi people in her name.

Along with his allies, the Nakatomi and Katsura, Akizumi quickly subdued much of the southern pennisula - some through diplomacy and some through conquest - making his way westward. Despite hostilities between the Yayoi and other ethnic groups in Fusō, Akihide was known to leave ethnic minorities be (especially those on the smaller, surrounding islands) believing they posed no threat to his might and was uncaring as to how the individual provinces treated them.

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Upon the establishment of the Jū-kinai, a new calender was created for use throughout the provinces. This came to be known as the Golden Calender, named after the new imperial family. The years prior to the founding are labeled as the Silver Calender.

Disbandment

Over five hundred years later, during the reign of Akihiko, growing discontent within the Jū-kinai culminated with his death. On the final day of the year 559, he was found dead in his chambers when his servants entered to ready him for the new year celebrations that evening. Discovered in a pool of his own vomit, it was believed he had been poisoned. His allies and enemies immediately began levelling accusations at one another. In the chaos, Akihiko's only child, Totaro was spirited away from the Golden Cape and taken first to Sakuchi, and then to a small coastal village in Washu were he could grow up annoymously.

With the emperor dead, and his heir no where to be found, several powerful clans declared their provinces independence. Akihiko's most loyal supporters hoped to keep the alliance together, but were unsuccessful in appeasing other families. Starting with the Misaki clan in Harima, the Terasaki, Iwakura, and Aoyama clans all broke away from the alliance. Conflicts also arose within the individual provinces as minor clans seized the opportunity to revolt against their leaders.

DISBANDED/DISSOLVED

Maps

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  Fusō

  Fusō, an archipelago once home to ten deities, is now a land rife with conflict between warlords, clans, and spirits. In the south, a former empire - Jū-kinai - has collapsed, and the repercussions ripple across the islands.

1 - 559

Type

Geopolitical, Empire

Capital

The Golden Cape

Ruling Organization

Kinoshita Clan

Location

Fusō

Notable Members

• Kinoshita no Akihiko