Sengoku Jidai, Japanese interactive History

[Rhyfelwyr]

Is there any way to contact the Europeans or Korea to hire men or weapons etc?

[Herakleitos]

From Date Harumune:

Regarding the winter campaign against the traitorous Oura clan. The taken course of action was decided upon after numerous occasions of disrespect to both the Date clan borders and those of our esteemed allies of the Mogami clan. Furthermore the Oura clan are strongly suspected to have secretly supported the Nanbu clan in its vile plans and can therefore not be tolerated to enjoy the possessions that they hold at this moment. Coming spring season they can be sure that their defenses will be tested again.

[Kagemusha]

From Oura,

To put it short. Lord Date is lying. How did we supported Nanbu? When the war started we broke off from being a Nanbu vassal. I dont want to even comment about the disrespect of Clans or their borders. We supported Date and Mogami against Nanbu and this is how they repay their debt of honour. Like i said before all i can do is to warn Uesugi and Ashina about when my Clan is gone. There is little doubt against whom these two wretches turn their weapons.

Oura Tameaki

[AggonyDuck]

Is there any way to contact the Europeans or Korea to hire men or weapons etc?

The thing is that while there are more than enough men and weapons in your lands, you just don't have the wealth to feed them for a year, so there is really nothing to gain by trying to hire foreigners as mercenaries. That said you can buy teppo/cannon from the europeans for a considerable fee, but at the same time Suzuki is selling the products from his gun factory and should be preferred to boost domestic production. At the moment I believe, that there are three active gun factories in Japan, but only Suzuki is selling the products.

[Revolting Friendship]

OOC:
I want to make a few historical notes in relation to my letter to the Portoguese, for reference:

The Ôtomo did historically have close ties with both Portoguese traders and the Jesuites(these two forces were more or less inseperable). At one point, the Ôtomo asked for the assistance of european ships in the retaking of Moji castle, and it was rendered after some consideration, in the form of sea bombardment.
Aside from the Ôtomo, the Omura-clan would eventually go so far as to offer them land at Nagasaki (1580), with the prospect of recieving trade incomes, increasing their power and influence, and studying western science and culture. Before this, they too had recieved support of Portoguese warships and substantial numbers of guns, which allowed them to survive, even against fierce opposition from their stronger neighbours, mainly the Ryûzôji.

Nonetheless, the historical situation was very different from the one we have arrived at in this game. Firstly, the strength of the christian daimyô was considerably weaker. The Ôtomo was the only major christian clan, and they had firm grip over Bungo and Buzen only, other extensions being lose alliances and nominal vassalships. Furthermore, there was no government enforced policy of persecution towards christians(at this time), even while many local damyô did so on own accord. For these two reasons, the Ôtomo could not ask for and hope to recieve extensive support from the Portoguese, who did not want to upset the balance by alienating buddhist Lords who had christian converts living in their lands(mainly on Kyûshû), by supporting any one side. Regardless of this, they still supported the Ôtomo to some extent, and the Oura to a greater, which shows that they were much in favour of their christian partners gaining influence.

Also, there was never any deals formed between the bakufu and the Portoguese. The europeans realized just as much as the daimyô themselves, that Japan had no functioning central government to speak of, and approached the daimyô seperately. Hence why you will see old european documents refer to the daimyô as "King of province name"

A last note will be that, at this point, with the Spanish(1600), Dutch(1609) and English(1613) arriving later, the Portoguese, with their integral policy of missionary work, was the only european power trading with Japan. And they did so in Kyûshû exclusively. Had I known differently, my strategy would obviously have been less desireable.

It was in this rationale I decided to make this descision, and I hope the fun for everyone, and the oppertunity to take advantage of viable strategies, will not be nullified due to any lack of insight into the historical context. I write this to make clear that I'm not trying to "cheat", or do something that has no actual historical precedence.
Even while seriously decimated at that point, the Ôtomo, Omura and Arima sent an embassy to Rome in 1582, that was recieved by the Pope himself. The europeans on their part had much respect for the Japanese, their land, culture and capabilities. They were by some observers thought to be the most formidable people in Asia, also deeming them superior even to the europeans themselves.
So, had Kyûshû been united under christian rule, there is no telling how far the cooperation between the europeans and Japan might have gone, and how it may have impacted on the future of Japan as a nation. Exploring such hypothetical avenues is a large part of the fun with these kinds of games. And honestly why I picked the Ôtomo in the first place.

Thank you for reading

[Monk]

OOC:

Personally, i think the Otomo seeking outside help was a great idea to be incorporated, and I would really be interested to see if they can secure western aid. It has potential to really shake things up in the west and could even have ramifications for us eastern Daimyo as well. Games like this need exciting twists to keep it interesting and even if Otomo's request is denied it makes for great progression.

[Rhyfelwyr]

Lord Oda,

I am surprised at your actions, surely a weakling such as yourself needs all the allies he can get? You are nothing but rebel scum, and I shall be well pleased to see you dead. Nonetheless, you are no fool, and I will respect you, if only for your tactical abilities on the battlefield. I eagerly await the day when we shall cross each other's path.

Regards,

Yamana Yoshisada

[Prince Cobra]

Lord Otomo, the Nanban are not fools to directly interfere in our internal affairs! They will risk too much...
--------------
Lord Yamana, I think I will prevent the Oda from crossing your paths in the future. Do not worry about him, I am sure he still can rely on the Otomo help behind the scenes. His moves are just dust into the eyes.

OOC: The Shimazu were also Christians, btw.

[Revolting Friendship]

Then tell me Kanrei, have you not openly adapted a policy of persecution against christians, and encouraged all Daimyô to do the same? The Portoguese has nothing to lose from supporting me and taking distance from you and your allies.
My alliance is already the gate to the rest of the world.
Nothing that comes or goes there do so without passing our lands. The Portoguese have no relations with the rest of you.
Moreover, I stand for free and mutual cooperation, and an open and forthcoming attitude, while you only prove hostility towards them and their customs. If this is not a matter of religion, then why have you more than anyone made it so? Everyone should know by now the kind of laws I maintain in my domains, I openly stated them, and they are a far cry from your hostile and narrowminded edicts.

Not only do I believe that the Portoguese will support me, I believe it is only right that your influence should be undermined, as to rid Nippon from the curse it presents. It is one thing to respond to religious fanaticism attacking peaceful practitioners, and an entirely different one to promote it yourself.
I do the former, and it can be considered as a wise attitude by any ruler. But one who himself encourage religious violence is an enemy of his own people, and make them an enemy of himself. And it comes as no surprise to me that you have thus found a partner in the Ikkô-shu. Which only adds hilarity to the equation, seeing how the two of you otherwise are exact opposites. And these wretches have as little reason to call themselves adherants of Jodo Shinshu, as you have to call yourself the servant of the Emperor.

And to all others who would think that I put us at risk to make us slaves of the europeans, I will say that I am entirely confident that the Portoguese will be happy to view us as allies on equal terms. It would be more beneficial to them than attempts of subjegation, which will only cause costly wars, while their support cost them virtually nothing at all, and will only increase their revenues with time.

None of you have been in so much contact with them as to determine what nature or attitude they possess, but I can safely say this: Giving them a lot of land is not making ourself vassals, and it will only quench any desire they might have had to undertake military expansion. I expect to recieve the same forthcoming terms as I myself have given, and it can only be considered as mutual cooperation. I will assist their interests in Asia, they will assist mine, and together we will grow stronger.

Then so what if they gain some influence? Does not all allies influence one another? Why should we be exempt from world politics, and practices both common and logical by any measure? I am not afraid of it. I am not afraid to make allies, nor am I afraid of changes.

Ôtomo Sorin

OOC:
The Shimazu were never christians historically. But it is not a rare misconception that they were, mainly due to the cross-like symbol of their clan.