Serene and Independent Principality of Tatsumiya

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Serene and Independent Principality of Tatsumiya

Flag

Zen Garden of Tatsumiya
Official languagesEnglish and Japanese
Demonym(s)Tatsumiyan
GovernmentElective Monarchy
• Tatsu Ouji
Prince Ryuho
• Daijo Daijin
Lord Kenji of Tatsumiya
LegislatureGrand Royal Assembly
EstablishmentAugust 23, 2011
Population
• Census
11
CurrencyUS Dollars, Japanese YEN
Time zoneEST

Tatsumiya, officially the Serene and Independent Principality of Tatsumiya, is a self proclaimed nation-state with limited international recognition. It is regarded by its government as a sovereign nation, but is classified as a micronation by most outside observers and organizations.

History

Tatsumiya declared independence on August 23, 2011 but was originally founded on August 9, 2010 as a part of the now defunct Aspinburgh.

Autonomous Territory

On August 9, 2010 the Holy Tatsumiyan State was founded by Prince Ryuho as an autonomous region of the now defunct Aspinburgh. For the first year of its existence there was very little activity carried out within its territory.

Beginning in June 2011 various construction projects took place including the construction of a pond, repairing of fences, the building of a Zen garden, planting of a wide variety of shrubs and flowers and the painting of a mural of Mount Fuji.

On July 16, 2011 the newly remodeled garden was consecrated and a small Buddhist Shrine was formally dedicated.

On August 1, 2011 the Parliament of Aspinburgh granted official recognition to the Holy Tatsumiyan State and it was reorganized as the Tatsumiyan Autonomous Region. Prince Ryuho was appointed by the parliament as Governor-General., before having served as, “Bishop.”

Independence

Aspinburgh had been in and out of turmoil for several months. In mid-August it became clear that the country would soon dissolve. Prince Ryuho decided then to declare independence and on Tuesday August 23, 2011 he read a declaration of independence and proclaimed the Serene and Independent State of Tatsumiya. He declared himself, “Tatsu Ouji” and began to organize Tatsumiya. Aspinburgh granted recognition to Tatsumiya the same day and Prince Ryuho meant with his father, Lord Kenji, then the president of Aspinburgh. Aspinburgh was formally dissolved on September 1, 2011.

Isolation Period

On September 2, 2011 Prince Ryuho announced that the country would enter a year long period of isolation. This was to allow the country to focus on building itself up into a modern state. The main focus was to organize a stable government, develop infrastructure and agriculture and ensure the general wellbeing of the country. During this time Tatsumiya has very limited contact with other states.

Elections were held in October but where decalred null and void by Prince Ryuho.

On December 29, 2011 as part of the efforts to organize the state the office of the Daijo Daijin (literally Chancellor of the State) was created and Dr. Seiji Yamamoto was appointed to the post. Following this, on April 8, 2012 the Crown Council of State was formed and Lord Kenji appointed as Daijo Daijin.

In May the country began an agricultural program and also began to develop horticulture. On July 13, 2012 the Royal Palace and the grounds surrounding it joined Tatsumiya as part of its claimed territory.

As these new developments progressed, Tatsumiya began to reach out to other nations.In July 2012 the period of isolation was declared over.

Current Status

Since August 2012 the country has continued to progress and make new developments. In August deputy positions were created for the various ministries of the Crown Council of State, foreign relations became to take form and Tatsumiya began to implement economic, environmental and culture programs and policies.

On December 1, 2012 Prince Ryuho announced that he would be ending his absolute rule and hand over power to the Royal Family, allowing for collective rule. On December 6 the Royal Family announced that the Grand Royal Assembly would be formed and hold its first meeting on December 14.

Government

Officially an “Elective Monarchy” Tatsumiya is in fact run as an absolute monarchy by Prince Ryuho. Since April 2012 power has slow been transferred to various ministries. On December 1 Prince Ryuho announced that he would hand power over to the Royal Family to allow for collective governance of the country. On December 1 it was also announced that the country has begun to draft a constitution.

Tatsu Ouji

The Tatsu Ouji (literally “Dragon Prince”) is the head of state, chief executive and diplomat and commander-in-chief of the country. The Tatsu Ouji appoints the Daijo Daijin, the Crown Council of State and rules by decree. Foreign Affairs and National Defense are handled directly by the Tatsu Ouji. His Majesty Prince Ryuho has ruled as Tatsu Ouji since August 23, 2011. Whoever holds the office also serves as Patriarch of the Royal Family and nominal head of the Tatsumiyan Buddhist Order.

Daijo Daijin

The Daijo Daijin (literally, “Chancellor of the State”) is appointed by the Tatsu Ouji and acts as non-executive head of government. The Daijo Daijin oversees the daily administration of the government and acts as deputy and chief of staff to the Tatsu Ouji.Dr.

Crown Council of State

The Crown Council of State consists of the Tatsu Ouji, the Daijo Daijin and the heads of the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of the Treasury. The Tatsu Ouji appoints all members and they serve as His leisure. The Crown Council of State forms the cabinet and acts as the administrative body of the country.

Culture

Customs

Holidays

Language

American English and Japanese (Toyko dialect)are the official languages of Tatsumiya. English is used daily. Japanese is used rarely and only as part of religious and state ceremonies.

Food

Religion

Although officially a Buddhist country, all citizens are guaranteed religious freedom. Besides Buddhism, Christianity is widely practiced.

Buddhism

The Tatsumiyan Buddhist Order is the state church of Tatsumiya with the Tatsu Ouji serving as nominal head of the order and a Bishop appointed by the Royal Family who acts as chief priest. The Order is a Mahayana Buddhist denomination that is culturally and theologically Japanese in nature.

Gautama Buddha, the historical founder of Buddhism, is referred to as Shakyamuni or the World Honored One. The Household Altar of the Royal Family contains a scroll with the image of Shakaymuni surrounded by heavenly guardian buddhas.

The veneration of ancestors plays a central role in Tatsumiyan Buddhism, with food and water being placed on the altar each day as an offering to the spirits of the deceased. On the birth and death anniversaries of ancestors their favorite food are placed on the altar and special prayers recited to them.

Tatsumiyan Buddhism also has incorporated Shinto into its practice. Shinto, the Way of the Gods, is the native religion of Japan. It central tenets include nature worship and community responsibility. Tatsumiuyan Buddhism pays homage to the Kami (gods) of Shinto and Shinto charms are very popular.

Obon is a festival held from July 13 to 15 each year that celebrates the ancestral spirits. Special offerings and prayers are made before the Royal Family’s Household Altar and the Shrine of Shakyamuni and a grand festival and banquet are held complete with a wide variety of foods and drinks, music and bon fires. Obon is the most celebrated holiday in the country, far surpassing even Independence Day and New Year's.

Other holidays include and Setsubun (February 3), Nirvana Day (February 15), Buddha's Birthday (April 8)and Enlightenment Day (December 8).

Christianity

Christianity is widely practiced by many Tatsumiyans. The majority of the Royal Family practices Christianity, with many of them also following Buddhism as a philosophy.

Easter and Christmas are the only Christian holidays observed in Tatsumiya. Christmas is the second largest holiday observed in Tatsumiya, Obon being the first.

Unlike Buddhism, which is plays an open role in the affairs of the state, Christianity for the most part in practiced privately. However, Prince Ryuho ordered the Family Bible to be placed in the Household Altar and also decreed that readings from the Bible would be read during ancestral ceremonies and agricultural planting and harvesting events.

Language

Food