Social Nature of JoukaiNote - Joukai means "Sacred Ground, Amashita's Heaven, or paradise"
A culture of discipline and filial piety. A patriarchal society to the enth degree, to the point were women speak a different dialect than men. Great respect is given to elders who are revered as wise, and are looked to for leadership. A man will often learn one thing and devote himself to mastery of that one area. Cowardice is punishable by death and defense of one's honor is of major importance. Often one regains one's honor through a traditional duel using the razor sharp Katana of old. Sword play is still practiced by most men, and basic sword play is taught in school. Foreigners are frowned upon and often times find cold treatment from natives. Society is divided into a lose caste system, with Daimyo of great clans at the top and common garbage men at the bottom. Descendants of Samurai own the lands of their forefathers and govern it just as it has been done for hundreds of years. Those below the lowest level of Samurai are not permitted to carry Katana, but practice other martial arts for discipline and honor. Depending on the clan, commoners live poor oppressed lives, or pleasant middle class to wealthy lives.
Most wealthy and respected men have been so since birth. This same system of governing and society has been in place for a great deal of time.
Wars between neighboring clans or families are technically legal through feudal rights, thought most conflicts are settled through a single champion or small scale traditional battle between samurai and peasants. In one instance, an entire historical battle was recreated between the Takeda and the Mori. It was a bloody battle done in in a very specific traditional style. Modern style of warfare is frowned upon between citizens of Joukai, though to stay fresh and to gain honor, soldiers are often times pitted in a high tech battle scenario that uses electronic suits and weapons down to artillery and aircraft. Electronic beams are sent to simulate were bombs would explode or guns would fire. Small shocks go where the pain would be, and depending on the severity of the wound, would be the severity of the pain. Eventually should one "die" their suit turns off and they are useless.
This style of mock combat is expensive but vital to the training of Joukai troops. It is an advanced version of laser-tag one could say.
People usually wear traditional garments because they are suited to the temperature of Joukai, and because of the highly traditional joukai society.
There are approximately 460,000 Samurai (1% of Population) of various ranks, most being low rung retainers. All samurai are required to have a great deal of military and administrative training preparing them for their many leadership and military roles they perform in their clans.
Standard urban home in Semi-traditional Style
Rock Garden in the Traditional Style
Ancient Manor House of a minor noble family.
Standard Dress and Landscape of Joukai (Despite the fact that they are westerners)
Samurai in his Hakama and wielding his Daisho (2 Swords)
Religion of Joukai The citizens of Joukai worship a number of spirits, gods, and totems along side ancestor worship and reverence to "The Enlightened One" (Think a mix of Buddhism and Shinto).The spirits are always associated with nature, with each natural thing possessing a spirit; such as a river spirit, tree Spirit, Spirit of the Forest, Spirit of the Mountain, Wind Spirit. There are also animal spirits and ghosts, such as a Fox Spirit, and each animal is associated with a certain characterization, such as foxes with guile and agility, Crane with majesty and grace. Spirits are referred to as Kami Then the gods are gods of ideas and concepts, such as Bishamonten, god of war.
There are seven major deities who are worshiped throughout Joukai, excluding "The Enlightened One". They are called the Sichijin "Seven gods".
- Ebisu - god of fishermen, good fortune, commerce, and honest labor (Patron deity of Sanada). Virtue: Candour
- Daikokuten - god of Earth, Wealth, Prosperity, farmers, Flood Control, Kitchen(Patron deity of the Oda). Virtue: Fortune
- Benzaiten - goddess of music, Fine arts, eloquence, literature (patron Deity of the Go-Hojo). Virtue: Amiability
- Hotei - god of contentment of happiness. Virtue: Magnanimity
- Fukurokuju - god of wisdom, longevity, fertility. Virtue: Popularity
- Juroujin - god of Longevity. Virtue: Longevity
- Bishamonten - god of treasure, god of war, god of warriors (Patron Deity of Mori & Takeda) Virtue: Dignity
Each village and region has their own wealth of kami, gods, and totems to worship, and many vary from place to place. The 7 are the best known and most widespread. They believe in reincarnation, and the ability for men to become demons, ghosts, and spirits. They hold that the Spirits intervene in daily life and proper reverence to each according to their domain in very important. The religion is also very festival and ritual driven. Many festivals grace the Joukai calendar, with the most important being the Festival of the Dead, and the Festival of Light.
Religion is very important to the people of Joukai, and they view atheism as ignorance. Since their religion is so broad and flexible, they easily accept other religions by adapting them to their own.
"The Enlightened One" is the first man they hold to have reached Enlightenment, and the one who paved the way for the rest of the world. He aides his followers in breaking the cycle of rebirth and brings peace and nirvana to those who follow him closely. He teaches peace and reverence to life and nature and goodwill between men. His wisdom is often sought by performing various rituals in which the result shows his judgment. He is accepted by every citizen of Joukai and the most widely worshiped deity. His close followers follow their master's footsteps by living simple lives seeking knowledge and inner peace, they often remain abstinent their entire lives and scorn any luxury other than learning.
Monks to the Enlightened One usually devote themselves to learning or the arts where they specialize in their particular art. They wear a variety of simple garments and traveling attire, but most simple country monks wear yellowish to orange robes while in the temple. Many sects however have their own dress code, these are usually large orders concentrated in one to two large temples.
Miyoshi Temple Complex, Bhuto Province, to the Emlightened One
Kamakura Island Temple, Major Site of Fukurokuju Worship. Deity and Kami temples and Shrines are marked by their iconic gates.
Typical robes of a Monk of the Enlightened One
