Wakoku (Wah-co-cou)
Wakoku is an island nation near the Yaojing region mainline with a distinct culture due to historical periods of isolation from other nations. Described as an "extremely small island country" far away in the east of the world, it is birthplace of the henge magical beast and the Yokai culture. Wakokan culture stretches back millennia, yet has also been quick to adopt and create the latest modern fashions and trends.
Wakoku is an island group or archipelago created by undersea volcanoes. Most is mountainous landscape so terraces were used to create more farmland. Monsoons in the summer bring warm winds and heavy rains and fierce storms in early fall called typhoons.
Culture
As Wakoku has undergone periods of openness and isolation throughout its history, the culture of the nation is if anything unique. While heavy Jianghu influences are evident in traditional Wakoku culture, it has also retained many native customs, resulting in a seemingly seamless blend. Wakoku has undergone many shifting when it comes to fashion and technological development that breaks some for their stigmas and possibilities.
Assets
The surrounding waters is abundant with fish and since ancient times provided a major source of food.
History
Wakoku's location on islands at the outermost edge of Tianxia has had a profound influence on its history. Just close enough to the mainland, yet far enough to keep itself separate, much of Wakoku's history has seen alternating periods of closure and openness. Until recently, Wakoku has been able to turn on or off its connection to the rest of the world, accepting foreign cultural influences in fits and starts.
Religion
Wakoku has two dominant religious traditions: Mitama is the ancient animist religion of traditional Wakoku, and Sramana which officially arrived 1500 years ago. For much of its history, the two faiths were not clearly differentiated, but there was a schism when Buddhism lost favor with the fall of the shogunate and the subsequent modernization of the country within the last century. Today, the two faiths are clearly separated, most Sramana elements have long since been removed from most Mitama shrines, and the ceremonies are clearly separated.
Generally speaking, the Wakokan are not a particularly religious people. It is common to visit shrines and temples to offer coins and make silent prayers, and many homes often have a small shrine or display religious artifacts from various temples, but there is little mention of religious faith or dogma in daily life. Wakokan people also tend not to think of religion as a matter of dogma or faith but rather as a matter of particular practices, and they will follow practices from various religions as it suits them, thus it would be impossible to try to represent what percentage of the population is Mitama versus Sramanan. According to a famous poll, Wakoku is 80% Mitama and 80% Sramana, and another oft-quoted dictum states that Wakokans are Shinto when they live, Ecclesiac for weddings and Sramanan when they die, since funerals usually use Sramana rites.
At the same time, Mitama and Sramana have had an enormous influence on the country's history and cultural life. The Mitama religion focuses on the spirit of the land, and is reflected in the country's exquisite gardens and peaceful shrines deep in ancient forests. When you visit a shrine with its simple torii gate, you are seeing Mitama customs and styles. Sramana in Japan has branched out in numerous directions over the centuries. Foreigners are probably most familiar with Zen Sramana, which was introduced to Wakoku in the 18th century. Zen fit the aesthetic and moral sensibilities of medieval Wakoku, influencing arts such as flower-arranging, tea ceremonies, ceramics, painting, calligraphy, poetry, and the martial arts. Historically, the two faiths have intertwined considerably and you will find them side by side in cities, towns, and people's lives.
Trade & Transport
Wakoku has one of the world's best transport systems, and getting around is usually a breeze, with the train being the favored for most locations. Although traveling around Wakoku can be expensive, there are a variety of passes for foreigner visits that can make travel more affordable.
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