Nobunaga’s Ambition Realized: Dawn of a New Rising Sun

[Ambassador Huntsman]

"It was because of this status that Morimochi was able to manage"

Did something get cut off there?

I just caught and fixed it. It's now "It was because of his celebrity status that Morimochi was able to manage preliminary negotiations and strategic talks with the khan and his officials and generals on how best to defend against Yebusu's invasion."

 

[WotanArgead]

However, it is strange that Russia is inactive during the conflict.

 

[Asasyn13]

However, it is strange that Russia is inactive during the conflict.

I think that they are too busy with the west borders and dealing how obtain some sea port. After all, Peter I now rules in Russia. In the next interludium about events in the Europe we will probably read about Third Northern War, who will be very diffrent from OTL.

 

[tonsofun]

Distance probably plays a major part for Russia. The distance between Moscow and Chita is 4700KM (2900miles) which most likely means the Russian king won't hear about things until long after they've happened and projecting power out there will be a lot harder than it is for anyone else. This puts them at a major disadvantage and makes them reliant on the people already there.

 

[Ambassador Huntsman]

Distance probably plays a major part for Russia. The distance between Moscow and Chita is 4700KM (2900miles) which most likely means the Russian king won't hear about things until long after they've happened and projecting power out there will be a lot harder than it is for anyone else. This puts them at a major disadvantage and makes them reliant on the people already there.

Basically yeah.

 

[Ambassador Huntsman]

Chapter 131: Daijo-daijin Nobuie and a 17th Century Retrospective​

5 years after his appointment to the Sangi-shu, Oda Nobuie had proven himself to be a capable and mature participant in government, having gained much experience in a relatively balanced political environment. He had been instrumental in pushing for greater involvement in the far north and it had been many of his deputies from the Ezo-Menashir campaign that ultimately led the Japanese intervention into the Sapusu-Yebusu War. Witnessing the growth of his son and heir, daijo-daijin Oda Nobuhiro decided to step down as the chancellor of the realm in favor of Nobuie, someone he knew would be able to fully wield the power of the position. On November 27th, 1697, the 30 year old Nobuie traveled to Kyoto to formally be appointed by Emperor Kitayama (北山天皇) [1] as the new daijo-daijin. Customarily, he would also simultaneously be made seii-tai-shogun and sa-konoe-no-daisho (左近衛大将), or senior commander of the imperial guard, and elevated to the junior 1st courtly rank. Nobuie’s ascension marked the beginning of 40 years of what would be known as the “Age of Nobuie'' and he would be the one to lead Japan into the 18th century. This transition of power was further defined with the retirement of Kanbe Tomoyoshi, the remaining major figure active during the Manji War, from the Sangi-shu and as the governor of Luson province and would be formally succeeded in the latter position by his son Yoshihiro.

Japan had changed significantly since the death of Oda Nobunaga, the “Great Unifier” and founder of the Azuchi daijo-fu, in 1601. The realm had seen 6 daijo-daijins come and go in the last 100 years, with Nobuie being the 7th. During that time, Japan had expanded its territorial extent beyond the home islands, not only annexing the entirety of Bireito but moving into northern Luzon, Ezo, southern Karafuto, and even onto the mainland via the northerly port of Kuroryutsu. As a result, Japan’s population had nearly doubled from 15 million in 1601 to 29 million in 1700. Beyond this populational and territorial expansion, Japan’s commercial and political reach had dramatically expanded, its merchants now scattered all over the East from the frigid waters of the Ezo Sea to the warm waves of the Indian Ocean. Throughout Southeast Asia, Nihonmachi communities decades or even a century old had continued to thrive with the one in Ayutthaya even having a direct impact on the internal politics of foreign countries. Meanwhile, Azuchi had established a multitude of diplomatic relations, not only with traditional neighbors like Ming China and Joseon but also far-flung European powers enterprising into the region. Japan had even fought the Iberian Union at one point, incurring a devastating defeat in the Iberian-Japanese War and influencing the fate of its other conflicts far closer to home. By the end of the century, Japan’s political stature was starting to be one of global and not just regional importance.​

Map of East Asia in 1697 (Salmon = Japan, Blue = Joseon, Orange = Lesser Jin, Brown = Amur Khanate, Purple = Russia, Mustard Green = Northern Yuan, Gold = Ming China, Red = Ryukyu Kingdom, Light Orange = Spain, Pink = Trinh lords/Dai Viet, Light Pink = Nguyen lords/Dai Viet, Green = Lan Xang, Sand = Cambodia)
​

One undeniable trend within the realm was its rapid urbanization, making Japan the most urbanized society in the world. This was especially evident in the growth and size of Azuchi and Sakai, with the former towering above at 800,000 inhabitants and the latter in a strong second at 500,000. Kyoto stood as the third largest city, though it being sandwiched between two other huge population centers had caused its population to stagnate at around 300,000. Kanazawa had around 150,000 inhabitants while Kamakura had a population of around 120,000 by the end of the century. Beyond these 5 major cities, regional urban centers existed in Iriebashi on Bireito, Awari in Luson, Shimonoseki in the Chugoku region, Kagoshima in Kyushu, Gifu and Sunpu in the Chubu region, and Yonezawa and Sakata in the Oshu region.

Another trend was political centralization. Although the realm had substantially centralized with the unification of all the provinces by the beginning of the 17th century and the establishment of the daijo-fu in Azuchi, its military and economy was very much in the hands of the regional daimyo lords and Azuchi could not levy taxes directly upon them. Although daimyo lords still wielded significant control over their domains at the close of the 17th century, major aspects of the realm now fell under the purview of Azuchi. Through various reforms enacted by chancellors like Oda Nobutomo and Kanbe Tomoyoshi, Japan came to possess a central navy and implemented a shogunal system that gave Azuchi direct oversight and even control the mobilization of regional armies from the retinues and populations of the daimyo lords. Azuchi also came to dictate foreign policy for the entire realm, directing diplomacy towards outside powers and organizing overseas military ventures. The daijo-fu even became able to set a cohesive economic agenda centered around trade expansionism through its foreign policy and control of key ports and cities through magistracies. These activities were all conducted by Azuchi’s evolving bureaucracy and government structure that co-opted the Ritsuryo court system and samurai institutions and norms while also innovating on its own.

Finally, Japan was increasingly a realm defined by capital and commerce quickly breaking free of centuries-old feudal trappings. Many samurai clans had developed domain-run enterprises, or ji-shoukai, that focused on boosting certain industries like cash crops and handicrafts and exporting them as a product, bringing in more revenue and attracting business from all corners. At the same time, trade expansion overseas not only attracted droves of foreign traders but also dramatically increased the size, scope, and power of the Japanese merchant class. In one specific case, common objectives would result in several merchants under the leadership of Tenjiku Tokubei forming the India Trade Guild and overseeing Japanese trade interests across the Indian Ocean, especially on the Indian subcontinent. While separate phenomena, these two developments represented an evolution away from a more feudal and rural past towards economic globalization, mercantilism, and proto-industrialization.

As Japan entered the 18th century, it would face new challenges and opportunities from abroad and from within. The far northern frontier of the realm was increasing in economic and security importance while domestic innovation and trade expansion would continue apace. It would also be in this century, however, that Japan would confront many of its societal and structural contradictions. The political system that had ruled the realm was a combination of the 8th century Ritsuryo code, feudal samurai norms and traditions, and institutions created in the century that were joined together in an incoherent fashion, making it uniquely vulnerable to a political crisis. The legal class system that predated Japanese unification, although eroded in practice by the rise of the merchant class and the power of capital, was still legally in place and this situation would have to have to be contended with amidst the realm’s socioeconomic changes that undermined it. Additionally, despite the prosperity brought about by the Oda policy of trade expansionism, a rural-urban imbalance was beginning to develop, threatening to bring about social unrest, famine, and political friction. These were just some of the things Japan would deal with in the 18th century and it remained to be seen whether the new daijo-daijin would be able to handle them.​

Members of the Sangi-shu 1665-1697

Kajuuji Tsunehiro (勧修寺経広): 1641-1672
Ikeda Yoshinori (池田由則): 1646-1659, 1662-1668
Shimazu Norihisa (島津則久): 1651-1661, 1662-1675
Asano Noriakira (浅野則晟): 1657-1693
Urakusai Nagaie (有楽斎長家): 1657-1675
Sakuma Moritora (佐久間盛虎): 1658-1661, 1662-1672
Akechi Mitsunori (明智光則): 1659-1668
Satake Yoshitaka (佐竹義隆): 1660-1672
Asukai Masaoki (飛鳥井雅章): 1661-1679
Ichijo Kanehiro (一条兼煕): 1662-1668
Kanbe Tomozane (神戸朝実): 1662-1697
Mori Tomoyoshi (森朝可): 1662-1681
Mōri Tsugumoto (毛利嗣元): 1662-1689
Saionji Kinnori (西園寺公則): 1662-1671
Sassa Katsutoyo (佐々勝豊): 1662-1667
Wakamatsu Tomohide (若松具秀): 1662-1666
Tokugawa Noriyasu (徳川則康): 1662-1679
Akita Morisue (秋田盛季): 1664-1676
Kitabatake Nagayori (北畠長頼): 1666-1689
Anekouji Tomotsuna (姉小路朝綱): 1667-1687
Sugaya Tomoyori (菅屋朝頼): 1668-1679
Hashiba Hideyori (羽柴秀頼): 1668-1691
Takatsukasa Fusasuke (鷹司房輔): 1668-1690
Kaga Nagaaki (加賀長昭): 1671-1678
Nanbu Shigenobu (南部重信): 1672-1692
Murai Munemasa (村井宗昌): 1672-1678
Oogimachi Sanetoyo (正親町実豊): 1672-
Ryuzoji Tomoie (龍造寺朝家): 1675-1692
Tarui Tomoyuki (垂井朝之): 1675-1695
Ikeda Tsunetora (池田恒虎): 1676-1697
Oota Tomofusa (太田朝房): 1678-1680
Miyoshi Yasutsugu (三好康嗣): 1678-
Inaba Kagemichi (稲葉景通): 1679-1694
Seki Narinaga (関成長): 1679-
Nakanoin Michishige (中院通茂): 1679-
Date Munetoshi (伊達宗利): 1680-1693
Takigawa Kazuatsu (滝川一積): 1681-1696
Sassa Katsutoo (佐々勝遠): 1687-
Kudo Kanefuyu (工藤包冬): 1689-1692
Ito Sukezane (伊東祐実): 1689-
Ichijo Uchifusa (一条内房): 1690-
Nagaoka Tsugutoshi (長岡嗣利): 1691-
Oda Nobuie (織田信家): 1692-1697
Otomo Yoshitaka (大友義孝): 1692-
Kakizaki Norihiro (蠣崎矩広): 1692-
Niwa Nagatsugu (丹羽長次): 1693-
Satake Yoshizumi (佐竹義処): 1693-
Kawajiri Shigehiro (河尻鎮煕): 1694-
Urakusai Hiroie (有楽斎煕家): 1695-
Yamauchi Toyomasa (山内豊昌): 1696-
Musashino Toshikatsu (武蔵野利勝): 1697-
Nanbu Yukinobu (南部行信): 1697-

Kyoto Shoshidai:
Oogimachi Sanetoyo (正親町実豊): 1662-1672
Kasannoin Sadanobu (花山院定誠): 1672-1685
Chikusa Arikore (千種有維): 1685-1693
Yanagiwara Sukekado (柳原資廉): 1693-

Azuchi bugyo (magistrates):
Sakuma Moriyoshi (佐久間盛郎): 1662-1666
Ishimaru Sadatsugu (石丸定次): 1666-1679
Kondo Shigenobu (近藤重信): 1679-1692
Niwa Nagamori (丹羽長守): 1692-

Oometsu-shoku (inspector general):
Kondo Shigenao (近藤重直): 1662-1672
Kudō Kanefuyu (工藤包冬): 1672-1689
Wakebe Yoshitaka (分部嘉高): 1689-1692
Kondo Shigenobu (近藤重信): 1692-1693
Kutsuki Tanemasa (朽木種昌): 1693-

Chinjufu Shogun:
Sakuma Moritora (佐久間盛虎): 1658-1672
Nanbu Shigenobu (南部重信): 1672-1692
Nanbu Yukinobu (南部行信): 1692-

Eastern Shogun:
Tokugawa Noriyasu (徳川則康): 1662-1679
Takigawa Kazuatsu (滝川一積): 1679-1696
Musashino Toshikatsu (武蔵野利勝): 1696-

Western Shogun:
Ikeda Yoshinori (池田由則): 1662-1668
Mōri Tsugumoto (毛利嗣元): 1668-1689
Akechi Mitsumasa (明智光政): 1689-

Shikoku Tandai:
Saionji Kinnori (西園寺公則): 1661-1671
Chosokabe Tomochika (長曾我部朝親): 1671-1688
Saionji Kinhiro (西園寺公熙): 1688-

Kyushu Tandai:
Shimazu Norihisa (島津則久): 1640-1675
Ryuzoji Tomoie (龍造寺朝家): 1675-1692
Otomo Yoshitaka (大友義孝): 1692-

Naval Shogun:
Tagawa Seikou (田川成功): 1662-1679
Kurushima Michikiyo (久留島通清): 1679-

Orange = Oda clan member, Blue = Court noble, Green = non-Japanese
​

[1]: Crown Prince Masahito (正仁親王) became the new emperor as Emperor Kitayama after his father, Emperor Gosai, died in 1691.​

 

[Dragonboy]

Looking forward the “Age of Nobuie''! He will transform Japan and face all challanges head on!

Amazing chapter @Ambassador Huntsman ! keep going!

 

[Simeon]

I thought the Luzon province has its border between Pangasinan and Tarlac.

 

[Ambassador Huntsman]

I thought the Luzon province has its border between Pangasinan and Tarlac.

Fixed.

 

[karatachi]

Onwards until the 19th Century, where European powers end up having to treat Japan as a real equal and also do a bunch of mental gymnastics to have that fit into their racist framework.

 

[Simeon]

Onwards until the 19th Century, where European powers end up having to treat Japan as a real equal and also do a bunch of mental gymnastics to have that fit into their racist framework.

On the other hand, the Europeans may be more open to syncretism which can enable a greater introgression of Eastern literature and ideas into Europe, not just limited to Japanese texts but even to the Chinese ones.

Imagine the Romance of the Three Kingdoms translated into French or Dutch and become at least a minor hit among the military officers of Europe.

 

[Asasyn13]

Onwards until the 19th Century, where European powers end up having to treat Japan as a real equal and also do a bunch of mental gymnastics to have that fit into their racist framework.

Well, this is a bit of a complicated topic, as contrary to the current message, "pure" racism has not been widely popular in the past. Most Europeans assumed the supposed superiority of their race on the basis of generally accepted truths and facts (that is: all/almost all powers were European states between the 15th and 20th centuries, most known discoveries and inventions were of European origin). They didn't hate Africans or Asians, they just considered themselves better than them (something that also happens today, e.g. Americans like to think that their country is the best in the world, the West promotes democracy and its civilization as the only right path for the development of humanity, etc. ).
But, if we want to consider the position of true believers this nonsense, the "great" thinkers and philosophers of these and subsequent centuries, it will be something like this: either the division into three human races with "destined" roles (white - higher as rulers and warriors, yellow - middle as managers and thinkers, black - lower as simple slave and servants; something that will be extremely similar to OTL) or simply Asians will be recognized as equal to Europeans and part of the same race (which, in my opinion, would have interesting results, e.g. the possible denial of the separateness of a European continent in favor of recognizing Eurasia as a whole land).

 

[Simeon]

Now, I am interested with the correspondences between the Japanese ambassadors and the nobility of Europe.

 

[Anarch King of Dipsodes]

Onwards until the 19th Century, where European powers end up having to treat Japan as a real equal and also do a bunch of mental gymnastics to have that fit into their racist framework.

In the Age of Sail, Europeans did not view east and south Asians as inferior, but as different, geographically remote and outside their cultural community. African, North and South American, and Australian natives were obviously "inferior", being profoundly backwards in technology and social organization. (Mesoamericans fell somewhere between, behind technologically and having some horrible customs, but clearly near-peers in social organization. It is worth noting that there is a Spanish noble house who trace descent from Montezuma.)

One might compare this to the Chinese position of the period: China is civilization, all others are "barbarians".

Japan was in an odd position: self-sufficient and equal, but very aware of the "great" civilization next door, from which Japan had taken much, including religion (Buddhism), philosophy (Confucian classicism), and even writing (kanji). (Ancient Rome had a similar status for Europeans, except that it was long-fallen.)

As the Age of Sail passed into the Industrial Age, Europe leaped ahead in technology: that advantage converted maritime dominance into territorial dominance. At the same time, democratic and egalitarian ideals took hold. The obvious contradiction between those ideals and white political supremacy had to be explained away: that was the origin of race ideology, both casual and "scientific". Then as white advantages passed away, the dominance also fell.

So: TTL will be very different, because Japan will contest and disrupt what was OTL near-total maritime dominance from a very early point. At no time will Europeans ever make a Chinese-like distinction between them and all others. That will have consequences for other regions.

 

[anyone]

What would the view of black people be ITTL Japan? If they hold the view that Africans are equal, will that bring them into conflict with Europeans and their slave trade?

 

[Kurd Gossemer]

What would the view of black people be ITTL Japan? If they hold the view that Africans are equal, will that bring them into conflict with Europeans and their slave trade?

Yasuke set a important example given he was able to not only rise but also have a very important position where his descendants continue to hold and at the very least do a decent job. While the only black people in Japan are probably slaves with a handful of freedman who came with European traders, the Japanese aren't likely to have the same conception about black people as Europe has, of course this only in a racial sense as they're still likely to claim that it was their superior Japanese way of life and society that allowed Yasuke to reach his position and thus "elevated" him

 

[Ambassador Huntsman]

What would the view of black people be ITTL Japan? If they hold the view that Africans are equal, will that bring them into conflict with Europeans and their slave trade?

There isn’t much of a view atm because there’s no significant contact. That also means the African slave trade is basically out of sight so even tho Nobunaga cracked down on the slave trade of Japanese people in the 1580s, “out of sight, out of mind.” Only Aguro Yasuke comes to mind in the popular imagination and he was very successful.

On the other hand, the Japanese generally have more negative views about some of the indigenous peoples they’ve interacted with frequently (especially the Catholicized Filipinos) and of course even the European merchants are sometimes “just too dirty and smelly”.

Yasuke set a important example given he was able to not only rise but also have a very important position where his descendants continue to hold and at the very least do a decent job. While the only black people in Japan are probably slaves with a handful of freedman who came with European traders, the Japanese aren't likely to have the same conception about black people as Europe has, of course this only in a racial sense as they're still likely to claim that it was their superior Japanese way of life and society that allowed Yasuke to reach his position and thus "elevated" him

Basically yeah.

 

[Sol Zagato]

Yasuke set a important example given he was able to not only rise but also have a very important position where his descendants continue to hold and at the very least do a decent job. While the only black people in Japan are probably slaves with a handful of freedman who came with European traders, the Japanese aren't likely to have the same conception about black people as Europe has, of course this only in a racial sense as they're still likely to claim that it was their superior Japanese way of life and society that allowed Yasuke to reach his position and thus "elevated" him

So long as they're not in a position of using significant numbers of African slaves. Then it's a straight road to dehumanization town.

If they get in an enemy-of-my-enemy situation, say against the Ottomans, Portuguese or Dutch, they could instead view them positively.

 

[Asasyn13]

If they get in an enemy-of-my-enemy situation, say against the Ottomans, Portuguese or Dutch, they could instead view them positively.

Er.... No, that probably won't happen. Each of the countries you mentioned is too far from Japan and its zone of interest (East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific) for any confrontation to make any sense. Except in the case of participating in some war on nominally opposite sides. There may be clashes, but it's too early for something like situation with the America and France between the 18th and 19th centuries.

 

[HyperMuscularDemon]

Speaking of Africans, Japanese merchants may very well honestly get to travel to the Swahili cities, Somalia, Madagascar, and intermingle with the inhabitants of those areas.