Harawata Oukoku (はらわた王国)
Motto:【能ある鷹は爪を隠す】Tr. A capable hawk hides his claws.
Introduction
On Saineshima (さいね島) and across the Nekokajun-hantō (みすみ半島) the resides a most peculiar nation that came about as a result of the Crisis of the Twenty-Nineth Century (29世紀の危機): the Harawata Oukoku (はらわた王国). From Two divine essences that come from one greater singular One: the Harawatajin (はらわた人) find strength in unity and love. A capable hawk hides his claws, after all...
Table of Contents
History
Terms that will be useful
Shitennō refers to the Heavenly Kings. (This is the actual term used to describe then.)
Tengoku Jidai (Heaven(ly) Period) refers to when the Heavenly Kings were the dominant force in the genre.
Tsukinode refers to Nijisanji. (Literally meaning Land of the Rising Moon)
Sentenjō refers to what is /indie/ (Roughly translates in this case to many gods)
Kiyo refers to effectively Kaguya Luna and her fanbase.
Shuzi refers to numberfags. (Rough translation of Chinese word for numbers to Japanese)
Maitoyl refers to meatfags. (Their word.)
Ikyouto refers to EN barbarians. (Meaning Heathens or Pagans.)
The lands that make up the Harawata Oukoku have a long history that has seen them ruled over at some points by the Shitennō (四天王) during the Tengoku Jidai (天国時代), the Tsukinode Teikoku (塚本帝国), and the Sentenjō Teikoku (千天上帝国).
Early Years «Beginning of History to 1568»
During the legendary Tenjoku Jidai, the island of Saineshima (then known as Shimogashima (下賀島)) was an important stronghold of the Kiyo dynasty (輝夜). Likewise, the Nekokajun-hantō (then known as the Kii-hantō (紀伊半島)) was also under Kiyo rule during this period as an agricultural hub, something it remains to this day.
After the decline, fragmentation and ultimate fall of the Tenjō; the Saineshima soon found itself under the control of the Tsukinode after a period of struggle known as the Kasoku no Sensō (Tr. «Wars of Acceleration» (加速の戦争)) given its strategic importance. It fell under the rule of the upstart Suzuhara clan in 1568 (-866 BVTE), officially becoming known as the Saine Domain (さいね藩), with the island’s name changing to its present form as a result. Also during this time, the Sentenjō took control of the Kii-hantō from the declining Kiyo and integrated it into their new realm.
For the purposes of the overall history, we must disconnect the stories of Saineshima and Nekokajun-hantō, as their fates weren't connected till a later date.
Tsukinode Period (塚本時代) «1568 to 2815»
Arguably the most important time period in the history of the island was during the Tsukinode Period, lasting from 1568 to 2815 (-866 to 379)
According to primary sources from the period just after the conquest, the island was reported to be in poor condition from several centuries of neglect and corruption from its ruling elites best illustrated by this poem:
The Kiso left an island That has been covered fully by weeds Bandits rule the highland Farmers can barely plant their seeds
Even her famous cities Which are in unbelievable decay It must be seen in pity That things have fallen this way
The truth of this being a fabrication to justify the rule of the Tsukijn, or actually the reality of the island is up for debate but popularly accepted by her people along with the other sources which declare that the islanders felt liberated and greeted the conquerors with rose petals and cherry blossoms.
Whatever the case maybe, what is true is that the island grew greatly in overall importance as a strategic, economical, and cultural hub within the Tsukinode Teikoku and represented the golden age of the island. All the marks of this can be seen by the abundance of poetry, music, artwork, architecture, and infrastructure that date back to this era.
It was also during this era that the culture and religious beliefs of the people of the island came to be in their present form. The mythos of the patron kami, Suzuhara Lulu, were fleshed out in full during this era as well as the distinctness of the Harawataijn (as they came to be known as) from the rest of the Empire.
A greater study of the Tsukinode Period is needed, and will be done separately, but what is true is that this golden era came to an abrupt end in the 29th century during the 29 Seiki no Kiki. (Tr. «Crisis of the 29th Century» (29世紀の危機))) The tales of this era will also be done separately, but to sum it up, the fall of Suzuhara Lulu by the hands of the wicked resulted in the separation of the island from the Empire. The Harawata Oukoku would rise from these ashes…
The Early Harawata Period (早いはらわた時代) «2813 to 3045»
Perhaps the greatest period of the struggle for the islanders was the Early Harawata period, which lasted from 2813 to 3045 (379 to 611). After declaring its independence from the Tsukinode Teikoku, the island was left to fend for itself in an age where the Shuzi sought to conquer it.
Over this period of just over two centuries, there were no less than twenty attempted invasions of the island, and even more raids by the Shuzi. From 2815 to 2850 (379 to 414) alone, five attempts were made! But despite all of these efforts, success did not come no matter the amount of men and resources the Shuzi poured into. The island’s people, who were before the Toraburu no Jidai already known to be some of the most fanatical warriors in their former Empire, were hardened even more. These struggles and a transforming event known as Kibou no Touchaku (Tr. «Arrival of Hope» (希望の到着)) would effectively and abruptly end this era during the height of the largest attempt by the Shuzi yet upon the island. From the Heavens, came Misumi-sama (三隅様) and her grace.
The story of the Kibou no Touchaku will like many others be talked about separately given how it defined the nation and came at the island’s hour of greatest need but what it did was rallied the Harawataijns to repel the Shuzi and drive them into the sea with a great slaughter. Many songs have been written about this, and it can be called one of the defining moments of the island’s history. It also marked the start of the «Middle Harawata Period».
The Middle Harawata Period (中年いはらわた時代) «3045 to 3464»
From 3045 to 3464 (611 to 1030), the Kingdom saw a period of stabilisation, growth and even conquest. One of the results of the Kibou no Touchaku was that the Harawatijn were no longer going to hunker down against their enemies but take the fight to them. The Shuzi, who menaced many, were now menaced by a small island and its fanatical warriors who proved to be quite the ulcer and drain on them. They had even managed to take control of some Shuzi land for periods of time before giving it back up.
Without many options, the Shuzi finally agreed to peace and to pay the island tribute if they would stop their attacks in 3321 (887).But the Shuzi weren’t alone in feeling the wrath of the Harawataijn. The mighty Maitoyl, the famed cannibals, too would suffer.
After the boastful Maitoyl of Sekkashima offended the Harawataijn by declaring they had killed their beloved Lulu, they brought divine wrath upon them. In 3061 (627), the Harawataijn unleashed what the locals of Sekkashima know now as the Suzukaze (すずかぜ) on them. The whole ruling class of Sekkashima was massacred, and the slaves of the island, who were much like the Harawataijn in beliefs and culture, were liberated. The cousin of the King of Harawata became one of two Kings on the island, but that is a story for another time.
What is true is that the Harawataijn had gained themselves quite the reputation by the end of the 35th century and their radicalisation, resolve and persistence would see their kamioshi pay them with the greatest reward of all: The Birth of Unou (ウノウの誕生) in 3464 (1030). Her entrance into the world marked the start of the current period, known as the Fukkatsu (Tr. «Resurgence» (復活)) within the Kingdom.
Fukkatsu Period (復活時代) «3464 to present»
The Fukkatsu Period, or Modern Period, has been seen as the second golden age of the Harawataijn people.
Since the start of this era around 100 years ago, the Kingdom has experienced growth it hasn’t seen since the Tsukinode period 700 years before. The great traditions of poetry, art, and music have been molded together with the great radicalism, and zeal that was developed during the previous two periods.
It was during the start of this period that the Nekokajun-hantō was ceded to the Kingdom, and also has seen the resumption of the wars against the Shuzi. In the light of a world set against the old ways which the island professes, the Harawataijn stand strong and stand ready to fulfill their prophecy that was made long ago: where her people would be the leaders in the Sekai no Jouka (Tr. «Purification of the World» (世界の浄化)) from the evils and sins of the Ikyouto.