History of Takyoto

The history of Takyoto surrounds the history of the 6 islands of Takyoto and its people. This rich history spans from the ancient, imperial history of the region to the modern era of Takyoto, as a stable republic. The history and settlement of Takyoto is estimated to have begun during the Jōmon period around 13,000 BC. This included the Japanese exploration of regions surrounding them, and expanding their growing nation. Human development was soon fostered and developed stably, filled with culture. Early versions of pottery and other art could be traced at this time, with the earliest written mention of the region coming in just several hundred years after.

A temporary capital was set up by the Japanese around the Nara period, which was known as Tōru. Tōru was known to be a major cultural center at the time, with several centers for religion, art, and other cultural depictions. The imperial family of Japan had most of the control of Takyoto at the time, until around 794, during the Fujinawa period. During the Fujinawa period, most of the residents overthrew the Japanese control of Takyoto, and set up a minor imperial government to replace. The capital was soon changed to the current capital, Toyokin. Even though the imperial family of Takyoto had most of the rein and control over its territory for several eras, with hundreds of much smaller domains being ruled under the family, they have been known to have been overthrown during their rule in some periods by the shoguns and samurai. Around the Karuzami period, the Karuzami shogunate was the main ruler of power, and like its neighbor Japan, had refused to contact most of the outside world except for its surrounding neighbors such as Hokkodo and Okatabawashi.

The Meiji period brought forth major changes to the government and power of the President of Takyoto. The Empire of Japan was expanding outside of the Japanese borders and into Takyoto, the rest of East Asia, and many countries located in Southeast Asia. This meant that Japan had control over the President and the rest of the country, and became Japanese territory. This was, however, until the Empire of Japan crumbled after World War II, giving back the control of Takyoto back to the republic government and the President.

After World War II, Takyoto has enjoyed great economic and political growth, and yet still keeping with it's peaceful and responsible culture. The country has grown in the manufacturing business, with many companies which are known to design automobiles, aircraft, and consumer electronics. However, recent natural disasters such as the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and Typhoon Nohakai have damaged the nation physically. However, the country has managed to recover from these events, and continues to strive and success.

Jōmon period
The Jōmon period lasted from around 14,000 to 300 BC. The first signs of civilization and stable living settlements in Takyoto could be traced back to around the middle of the Jōmon period. Japanese had sailed to explore and found the island of Tōru, and made some off shore settlements. Jōmon culture was characterized by the Mesolithic and Neolithic hunter-gatherer lifestyle of many. Most dwellings for the people were in the mountain caves found just a few kilometers off the northern coast of Tōru. The living patterns and routines of the people on Tōru during the Jōmon period were quite primitive, and not very advanced. Agriculture was hardly practiced at the time, with very basic and unsuccessful guidelines for agricultural practices. Meanwhile, pottery was more popular, with early versions of clay pots and vases being traced back to 2,100 BC. Most early depictions of clay vessels around this time were very simple, and had limited to no designs. As the Jōmon period came to end however, most potters had already dressed their vessels with somewhat intricate designs. Most designs were usually implemented with the use of sticks found in the region.

Most findings of vessels and pots tracing back to the Jōmon period are found on Tōru. However very few have been also excavated near the northern coastline of Shokishima, most commonly in areas near the Kamotsu-ōdan Strait. The most recent excavations have taken place in the past decade as of 2011. However, the frequency of excavations have decreased over the years as recent urban development and sprawl have limited the land available for findings. However, several places have been put off limits from developers for historical findings and natural habitats for the environment. Dogū have been found and dated to the late Jōmon period, when these figurines were said to have been first created.

Yayoi period
The Yayoi period lasted from about 400 or 300 BC until 250 AD. The Yayoi period completely superseded and followed the Jōmon period. The Yayoi period was named after the Yayoi town that was located in Bunkyō, Tōkyō. Yayoi was where most of the first recognized traces to the Yayoi period were excavated. During the Yayoi period, many cultural practices of the people during the time had changed. An influx of wet-rice farming, copper making, bronze making, and iron making. While rice farming and copper making was introduced during the early years of the Yayoi period, it is thought that bronze and iron making made their way into practice during the mid-Yayoi period. Copper was used for the vessels in place of clay that was used during the Jōmon period. Meanwhile bronze or iron were used for ceremonial or agricultural uses respectively. Most of the iron and bronze were imported from Japan during 50-25 BC. Shamanism was widely practiced for the people believed that it led to good crops and produce.

Takyoto was still under the rule of Japan by 60 AD. However, the six islands were barely mentioned in the Chinese Book of the Later Han, as they were still rarely known to the outside world at the time. Most of its recognition came from the people of Wa, one of the earlier names for Japan. The Book of the Later Han has a line saying: "Across the ocean from Lelang are the people of Wa. And further away are the people of Chè." Chè was the earlier name of Tōru. However, the other five islands were not mentioned until later periods due to the slow exploration of the islands at that time.

Asuka period
Preceding the Asuka period was the Kofun period, however records of the Kofun period have been lost or rarely found over time and is no longer pointed out in Takyotan history. The Asuka period lasted from 538 to 710, but some historians have mentioned of extending its years from 250 to 710 in Takyotan history. At this time, the further exploration of the islands of Takyoto were started. Most explorers sailed beyond Tōru and into Shokishima, mainly along the northern coast. The higher class people that had resided in the Takyotan islands during the Asuka period had begun practicing Buddhism, thus the low and rare practice during the Asuka period. Buddhism was introduced to the early Takyotans and Japanese by the Baekje people. Most of the lower class and peasants could not practice Buddhism. At one time during the Asuka period, Buddhism practices had even taken a halt for a few decades because of the unpopularity, but continued slowly after.

The people living on Tōru and Shokishima were still under the control of the Japanese government. Prince Shōtoku was the main power over the two regions, along with Empress Suiko. She was the niece of the previous emperor who had been assassinated in 593. She was the first female ruler of Japan and Takyoto ever since the earlier ages.

Nara period
The Nara period took place during the 8th century, and was the golden age of the Japanese state. The Nara period took place from 710 to 794. While the capital of the whole Japanese state including the Takyotan islands was Nara, the foreign capital of the islands was Tōru. The Nara period was also the start of the turning period for Takyoto. The people of Tōru and Shokishima had started evolving into the idea of forming a separate government from that of the Japanese government. Since it was still at its early stages, very few people had already begun forming groups and plans to overthrow the Japanese rule over the islands. Meanwhile, most of the land that was owned by the government was being surveyed and registered to the state. Also, quick trade and political options and practices were begun between Tōru and Shokishima and the main Japanese state. However, the state had already offered to set up trade routes with Chinese and Okataian cities like Chang'an and the Imperial City. Certain aristocracies also emerged during the Nara period. These aristocracies owned several lots of land for farming and domination. They were supported by small taxes placed upon the lower classes by the state. Several of these upper class families were supportive of the overthrowing of the Japanese rule in the Takyotan islands, and some would even be hired by the Imperial Family. Architecture also saw a great difference and an increase of interest among several higher class residents. Temples and shrines were constructed across the islands, most of which were connected by main roads that traversed within the forests and mountains. Allotments for farmers and industrial purposes in the rural areas were set up and established for certain people by the government. While most allotments reached a size of about one to two acres, most of the more highly qualified people had lots of around 8 acres due to a wider availability of land. An early rendition of the census ran through the islands and allotments starting in 730. The census, like the modern derivatives, ran every 5 years. The Tōruhōfu clan was a group of regents who were known for changing the political development in the Takyotan islands. They were most widely known for their participation in the independence of Takyoto from Japan. They sparked major riots starting around November of 783 in the Tōru and Yamato-kyū, which is present day Nairiku. These riots resulted in the destruction of several Japanese government offices, and lasted from 783 to around late-784. The imperial family, who was residing in Yamato-kyū during the time of the riots, had to move to Nagaoka-kyō in order to escape from the growing crowd of protestors and increasing destruction.

Prior to the late-Nara period, the name Takyoto was not officially the name of the islands. It was commonly known as Chè, which was the name given to the people of the islands by the Chinese. It was not until the recently uncovered Book of Wǔdǎo that the name Takyoto was seen. Historians estimate that the book dates to 791, near the end of the Nara period. It was written by the Chinese and explains the area of Japan and Takyoto during the traditional times. Not only did it mention the country's current name, it also talked about major events that had not been known of until the past few hundred years. It mentions about a smallpox epidemic that had originated from Japan and killed over a fourth of residents on the island of Tōru.

Fujinawa period
The Fujinawa period lasted from 794 to 1203 and was the last period of the Traditional Takyoto-era. It is well known for being the high point and success of the independence of Takyoto from the Imperial House of Japan. In addition to political changes, a rise in different cultures and religions were seen throughout the Fujinawa period. Several forms of literature, art, and music became practiced and were commonly enjoyed during the period.

Influences from many other Asian cultures and states were becoming increasingly common during the early stages of the Fujinawa period. Taoism and culture from the Tang Dynasty from China were the most popular of the influences. The Chinese had a major impact on communication and literature as well, starting the inspiration for a new language and writing system known as kana. While the Takyotans were largely opposed to sharing a language with that of the Japanese, their startup language was unsuccessful and they were to use kana. Although influences from the Tang Dynasty had already ended by 840, trade and religious deals still continued. In 813, a civil war broke out between the Takyotans and the Japanese. Growing tensions between the two states had taken effect during the late-Nara period, when most aristocracies and peasants pleaded for a separate government that would be independent from that of the Japanese. This pleading spread throughout many of the residents, who soon secretly planned to take this into effect. The war lasted for over 6 years, and had many victories by the Takyotans. While the Japanese had still refused to surrender during the decline of the civil war, they were forced to lose after the Great Fire of Tōru, which burned down several important government residences and offices of the imperial court. The fire was started by several protesters who wanted freedom from the Japanese. In 820, a proper government was set up by the Takyotans, and Takyoto soon became a state independent from Japan. The Imperial Empire of Takyoto was the result of the war and victory of Takyoto, and sparked a new age for the islands.

The etymology of the Fujinawa period comes from the now destroyed village of Fujinawa. It was the first village to ever be founded by the Takyotan government after the civil war and independence from Japan. The actual name Fujinawa has an unknown origin. However, historians speculate that the name comes from the founder of Fujinawa, who's name has not yet been uncovered.

The governmental constitution stated that the highest point of sovereignty would be given to the emperor. However, with the Japanese still furious about their loss, they had threatened several times in the mid-800s that they would soon re-attack the islands and claim it again. Thus, the imperial family commonly hired families of minor power to guard or serve them. Military or warrior clans were rarely hired by the imperial family however, due to their much lower trust from the emperor than other families. Only the Nishiki clan was trusted well enough by the emperor to serve and guard his family.

Also in the Fujinawa period, was the further exploration of the large island of Shokishima. A growing population around and far from Yamato-kyū had already reached an estimated 16,000+ in 921. As lot owners and farmers wanted more land expansion, surveyors had set out to discover the land beyond the northern coastline of the country. Most surveyors had set out along the coastline and continued west, but some had thought of exploring the hilly and mountainous areas near the center of Shokishima. Many surveyors and lot owners who had gone towards the mountains had never returned due to rocky and cold climates at the time. However, most of the fortunate set for the west, where several more small towns and villages were set up along the coast. Several of these towns had at least a dock for trading and fishing purposes.

Imperial Takyoto (1203-1502)
The imperial period of Takyotan history, which was dominated by the rule of the imperial family of Takyoto and their patrons, ran from 1203 to 1502. It also marked the rise of the Takyotan empire and its growth across the six Takyotan islands. Although the shōgunate had several appearances as well throughout imperial Takyoto, they wouldn't have a major significance until the Torimodosu period.