Tenshukyō Shogunate
Tenshukyō Shogunate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Flag | |||
| Capital | Redan | ||
| Official languages | Japanese, English | ||
| Demonym(s) | Tenshuk | ||
| Government | |||
• Shogun | Devon | ||
| Establishment | 2 October 2018 | ||
| Population | |||
• Census | 23 | ||
The Tenshukyō Shogunate (often referred to simply as The Shogunate) was formed on 2 October 2018 by the former Baron Devon of Cordova after relocating to the Atlanta, Georgia area. The Shogunate is based largely on the Muromachi and Edo periods of Japan. The Shogunate has operated independently as a fully sovereign entity other than its time as a dependency of the Empire of Agber, from 1 July 2020 to 1 November 2022.
History
In 2018, then Baron Devon of the Enclave de Cordova announced he would be abdicating the throne as part of his move to Atlanta. Despite urging by the majority of those involved with Cordova to simply rule from his new area, Devon thought it would be in Cordova's best interests for it to have a sovereign who was local to the community. Although he remained close with Cordova and its new ruler, Celestina, the former Baron began planning a new endeavor almost immediately.
Initial plans were focused on creating a national identity that would largely mirror Cordovese culture, with a slightly stronger focus on mainland Spain, as opposed to Cordova's colonial focus. This was quickly abandoned when he briefly visited with his parents while his great-grandmother was over from Japan. The in-depth discussions about his Japanese heritage and his subsequent studies as a result of the visit led to a change in plans. Attention shifted to a focus on the Muromachi and Edo periods of Japan, which fell within the time periods generally viewed acceptable at Renaissance Festivals. He began discussing the matter in groups for his local community, and quickly found others interested in building the project with him. He would officially found the Shogunate on 2 October of that same year. It was named Tenshukyō (天主教) for the Japanese word for celestial.
Over the next few months, the newly minted Shogun worked with his new friends to make a splash at the 2019 Georgia Renaissance Festival. Banners, armor, weapons, and even "Orders of Honor" were acquired or manufactured for the endeavor. Owing to the relative lack of Japanese culture present at the fair, Shogun Devon and his retinue were regarded with delight and an overwhelmingly positive reaction from other fair-goers. The Shogunate has been praised for challenging the Euro-centricity often found at fairs, as well as bringing awareness to the Japanese culture of this period.
The Shogunate joined the Empire of Agber on 1 July 2020. Initially announced as a dependency, the Shogunate was primed to enjoy a great deal more autonomy than existing territory nations. This distinction became moot, however, when Empress Arlene announced that more autonomy would be bestowed upon the first four nations in the Empire with the Indiana Proclamation.
Beginning 29 March 2021, Redan and the Tidal Throne became the seats of power for the Empire of Agber, when Shogun Devon became the Emperor of Agber. This was the case until the Empire disbanded on 1 November 2022.
Government
All leaders will be known as Shogun. This decision was made as there has never been any official women shogun, and to be inclusive of potential non-binary persons in the role. The Shogun is selected by a simple majority vote of the Council when the throne becomes vacant. The Shogun rules for life on the Shogunate's Tidal Throne. The current Shogun is Devon of Clan Momohana.
The Council
Tenshukyō is unique in the Empire in that it does not have districts with clearly identified borders. Instead, five clans hold seats on a council, with the Shogun's clan serving as head. These five clans may be dismissed by unanimous vote of the other four, with a new clan being appointed to the Council by the Shogun. This has only been done once when Clan Kochō was removed for having been absent from Shogunate affairs for a number of months. The head of a Clan with a seat on the Council is called a Daimyo, regardless of gender. The head of any clan that does not have a Council seat is not afforded any special honorific.
List of Clans
| Clan | Status | Founded | Mon | Leader | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kikuchi | Council | 2018 | 
|
Daimyo Benji | Founding Council clan. |
| Kochō | Inactive | 2018 | 
|
Peter | Originally a Council clan, removed in 2020 due to inactivity. |
| Manza | Active | 2019 | 
|
Tabitha | |
| Momohana | Council | 2018 | 
|
Shogun Devon | Founding Council clan, Daimyo is current Shogun of Tenshukyō. |
| Sadakichi | Council | 2019 | 
|
Daimyo Gina | Named to Council in 2020. Daimyo Gina currently serves as Devon's Chancellor. |
| Sansei-Ryu | Council | 2018 | 
|
Daimyo Yoshio | Founding Council clan. |
| Tōgō | Council | 2018 | 
|
Daimyo Reyna | Founding Council clan. |
Orders of Chivalry of the Tenshukyō Shogunate
The Shogunate currently has three orders. The font of honor for these awards is Shogun Devon. Members of the Shogunate's orders are not given a specific honorific, such as Knight or Dame. Instead, they are simply known as a recipient of that degree.
| Order Name | Established | Classes/Ranks | Awarded For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exalted Order of the Rising Moon | 10 November 2018 | Grand Cordon Star and Seal |
Service to the Shogunate | Honor Cordon can be bestowed to foreign heads of state by the Shogun, but does not officially confer membership. |
| Order of Kanju and Manju | 21 February 2019 | Grand Cordon Star and Seal Seal |
Service to the Shogunate | |
| Order of the Peach Blossom | 2 October 2018 | Grand Cordon Star and Seal Seal Medal |
Service to the Shogunate (for top 3 ranks) personal achievement or distinction (for Medal) |
Honors System Structure
Much like those of the Japanese system it is inspired by, the Shogunate's orders exist as part of a single structure of honor.
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Moon: For impeccable and prolonged service to the Shogunate. The highest honor, reserved only for the Shogun themselves.
- Grand Cordon of the Order of Kanju and Manju: For impeccable service to the Shogunate. Reserved only for Daimyos of the Council Clans.
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Peach Blossom: For exceptional and prolonged service to the Shogunate. The highest honor conferred upon citizens of the Shogunate
- Star and Seal of the Order of the Rising Moon: For exceptional service to the Shogunate. The highest honor that can be awarded for acts of a singular nature.
- Star and Seal of the Order of Kanju and Manju: For distinguished and prolonged service to the Shogunate. The highest honor that can be conferred to individuals who are not members of the Shogunate.
- Star and Seal of the Order of the Peach Blossom: For distinguished service to the Shogunate.
- Seal of the Order of Kanju and Manju: For prolonged service to the Shogunate.
- Seal of the Order of the Peach Blossom: For service to the Shogunate.
- Medal of the Order of the Peach Blossom: For personal achievement or distinction. Awarded much in the same way that the Order of Arlene I is.