Fusen

Fusen, officially the Democratic Republic of Fusen (: 浮川民主共和國 Fusen Minshu Kyōwakoku), is a  in northeastern Sinju. The country is located between the continents of Jungju and Yeongju, facing Kaisa to the east, Jeongmi to the west, and Yondoku to the north. Fusen, whose kanji mean "floating river," is often poetically referred to as the "Land of the Floating River."

Fusen has over 85 million residents living in 37 provinces and eight regions, with one autonomous region. It is the fifth most populous nation in Sinju and the third most populous in the Sinju Union. It is compromised primarily of the main island of Fusen and various smaller islands present off its coast. The capital of the country and its largest metropolis is Chukyo, with over 14 million citizens in its metropolitan area. The highly urbanized country is home to plethora of other major urban areas such as Fukui, Heijo, Katsuyama, and Fujisawa.

Various people groups have occupied Fusen from prehistoric times, with early sedentary villages dependent on of the rich forests, seas, and rivers of the islands. Interaction with Cheonje and the rest of Sinju brought about profound shifts to the country's language, governing structure, and culture. A centralized state first governed by a religious and political figure known as the Tenno first emerged during the 7th century CE, which gradually took control of most of the archipelago. This state collapsed in 1124 after years of decline and the complete elimination of the royal family during a smallpox epidemic, and Fusen was plunged into a civil war, which gradually stabilized into four different states by the mid-15th century. The island of Fusen was unified into a single state by the Iwaki clan in 1671, but prior to that Fusenese polities had already begun acquiring overseas colonies. During the mid-late 19th century, the country began a successful period of state-led industrialization focusing upon heavy industry which turned Fusen into a foremost and advanced industrial power. However, following its loss in the X War, Fusen was stripped of all of its colonies and soon went into a heavy economic downturn, leading to the rise of radical movements such as the Renewalism. The country was briefly occupied by Allied forces following the Eulhae War, upon which a new constitution was created for the country.

Today, Fusen is a and the 4th largest economy in the world by nominal GDP, and the 7th largest by PPP. It is Xth largest exporter and Xth largest importer of goods worldwide. It is a global leader in technological and industrial sectors with a highly skilled and highly educated workforce. The country has one of the highest percentages of those holding a tertiary education degree, and its citizens rank highly in international rankings for education. It is a member of the Congress of Nations and a founding member of the Sinju Union. Fusen has a robust social security and universal health care system, as well as tuition-free university education and strong environmental laws. Fusen remains continuously influential in the realms of culture, economics, science, and politics.

Etymology


The kanji for Fusen, 浮川, were first applied to the nation by travelers from Cheonje during the 3rd century CE in reference to the s they saw there. During the 5th century CE with the rise of a centralized government based in the Kato region, the name was popularized by scribes and government officials to describe the land they lived in.

Fusen went through many names during the postclassical and early modern eras, with usage of the name rising and falling in popularity throughout different dynasties. Fusen officially adopted the name of Dai Fusen Teikoku (大浮川帝國), meaning "the Great Fusenese Empire", or more poetically, the "Great Empire of the Floating River," following the complete conquest of the island in 1671, and was known by this name until its transition to a republic resulting from its loss in the X War. After seeing a brief revival in usage under the Renewalists, following its occupation after the Eulhae War, Fusen's official name has been Fusen Minshu Kyōwakoku (浮川民主共和國), meaning the "Democratic Republic of Fusen."

The character fu (浮) means "floating" while the character sen (川) means "river" or "stream." Due to this, the country is popularly referred to by many as the "Land of the Floating River."

Prehistory and ancient history


The first humans arrived in Fusen c. 33,000 BCE while the nation was still connected by land to the Sinju mainland. By around 12,000 BCE, semi-sedentary hunting-gathering cultures collectively known as the Rei culture emerged along the coasts and major rivers of Fusen which were based primarily upon hunting, gathering, and fishing. These peoples dwelled in pits, elevated houses, and caves in areas meant to maximize exposure to sunlight. In these cultures, descent was traced matrilineally and some of the world's oldest pottery was constructed.

The begins c. 800 BCE, with the first fully-sedentary villages based primarily on farming appear in Ryumoku in western Fusen. The introduction of agriculture coincides with the introduction of bronze tools and weaponry from neighboring Jeongmi.

The earliest written documents regarding Fusen come from Cheonje in the 1st century Records of Cheonje. Buddhism was introduced in the 4th century through Jeongmi, and despite some initial resistance against the religion from major religious figures, it soon became a dominant religious presence over much of Fusen.

Classical Fusen


The classical period was marked by the emergence of a centralized state in the Kato plain around the 7th century CE, with the beginning of the classical period usually dated to 612 CE with the founding of a new capital at Heijin based on Cheonje designs. Cheonje institutions such as and the. Authority was centered around the Tenno, who served as both a religious and secular authority. Buddhist temples and orders were greatly patronized during this period by the tenno and the class of nobility known as the.

The period saw the development and flourishing of an independent and unique culture as its interactions with the mainland decreased due to the breakdown in order that was going in Cheonje. There was a great deal of interest in Cheonje-style poetry and the composition of vernacular literature. Works such as The Butterfly Diary by Fujimura Shoshi and By the Willow by Takazuki Hisae were among the world's first novels and have remained classics in literary canon. came into widespread usage among women for letters of correspondence and for writing literature, while men continued to use, with works written in the vernacular by men being primarily of technical usage.

The Fusenese state saw regular warfare with non-Fusenic peoples known as the Moso present in eastern and northern Fusen. New irrigation techniques brought from the mainland and lands conquered from the Moso meant great expansion in the area under Fusen's control, and most of the new land was given to new nobility who had passed the kakyo or to generals who had led successful battles. By the mid-11th century, most of the Moso had been defeated or driven away to Aeyu.

Feudal era


The later Heijin period saw the central government increasingly unable to function and enforce its authority over large swathes of the country as tax revenues decreased from the complete tax exemptions increasingly granted to noble families and Buddhist monasteries. Trade decreased due to lack of safety and increasing autonomy by local power figures. Pay began to be given not in terms of currency but rather utilitarian goods such as clothing. In 1124, central authority all but collapsed as a widespread bout of broke out in the capital, killing the Tenno and much of the royal court.

Weakening central institutions resulted in local warriors known as providing protection and serving as figures of authority. Samurai pledged their allegiance to more powerful samurai landlords known as. For the next few hundred years, Fusen would descend into constant civil war, with stabilization of a four major clans only occurring by the early late 15th century.

During the feudal period, the school of Buddhism found its way into Fusen, finding immense popularity among the samurai class with its stoicism and focus on rigorous self-control. Zen values of simplicity such as simplicity flourished during the period as daimyo often patronized temples for legitimacy.

In 1312, the kingdom of Awnre made gains in Western Fusen, and established a presence on the island before being removed by the Inoue clan in the Seian War in 1544.

Fusenese Empire


In 1662, the lands of the Miyake clan were conquered by the Inoue clan under Inoue Tadamori, upsetting the balance of power which had previously existed on the island. The Inoue continued to press east in order unify all of Fusen, defeating and overrunning the lands of the Takahashi clan by 1664. The only remaining clan was the Iwaki clan, whose presence was centered around the regions of Tobu and Kaihoku. The Inoue were soundly defeated in the Battle of Tokushima after the Iwaki released water from a dam, drowning several Inoue soldiers and leaders, including Tadamori, and cutting off their escape route.

The Inoue forces were in a rout, allowing for Iwaki Takahiro to make major westward gains while the Inoue regrouped. Incessant fighting followed for the next several years, with gains being made by both sides for full control of the island. In March 1670, however, with the death of Inoue leader Inoue Tadayasu, the Iwaki engaged in a new offensive to push west.

After a final defeat of the Inoue clan during the Battle of Isohara in 1671, Iwaki Takahiro became the first ruler of the entire island in several centuries. He moved the capital to Chukyo and proclaimed himself to be Emperor (皇帝) of Fusen. Attempts to centralize authority and reduce the power and privileges of local landlords and samurai resulted in the Saganoseki Rebellion in 1692, but was ultimately crushed due to the rebellion's weak organization and inferior supplies.

During the imperial period, Neo-Confucianism was greatly patronized by the the Emperor and the former samurai. The country adopted the civil service exams present in neighboring countries. It was also during this period that Fusen began its overseas expansion and started to acquire colonies. Buddhist monastic orders which had grown powerful during the feudal era weakened in power and were suppressed from the rule of Emperor Kowa in 1743 onward.



Nascent feelings of nationalism began to emerge during the Hundred Flowers era and became particularly strong during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Many Fusenese nationalist thinkers looked toward the past and into the country's indigenous Shinto religion to construct a national myth and identity, and Emperors began to increasingly style themselves in the manner of the old Tenno. Shamans were increasingly institutionalized into formalized Shinto priests and priestesses as Fusen sought to promote what it believed to authentic expressions of indigenous Fusenese identity. Fusenese nationalists also sought the unification of Fusenic-speaking areas, desiring the incorporation of countries such as Tosanchi, Hyaon, and Izin as part of a Greater Fusen. The Aeyu region was also seen as part of a Greater Fusen due to its large and politically dominant Fusenese minority.

After the 1854 Gefu War, Kapuk was incorporated into Fusen, and heavy immigration was encouraged in order turn Aeyu fully Fusenese. During the Meian period, Fusen underwent a largely state-led industrialization project, building new factories with the latest designs from Jeongmi and Meisaan. The state invested heavy resources in science, and Fusen acquired a reputation as an industrial and scientific powerhouse.

From the late 19th century on, Chukyo became a major center of urban cosmopolitanism, with a vibrant nightlife and thriving art scene. Inhabitants of numerous nationalities mingled together in its many tea houses and cafes.

First Republic and Renewalist Fusen


Immediately following Fusen's surrender and the signing of the Treaty of X, the Fusenese Revolution declared the nation a republic and launched the nation in a brutal civil war that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and intervention by numerous countries to prevent the communists, led by Nakagami Fumiko, from coming to power. Emperor Asahito fled to Yeongdoku, and the civil war ended in 1918 with the victory of the Fusenese Republic under Ibuka Kihachi of the Social Democrats. Nakagami and other communist leaders were killed in mass executions following the victory. The immediate years following the civil war were marked by and mass crackdowns meant to keep order.

The period between 1920 and 1925 saw a period of relative stability and the rebuilding of the country's infrastructure. The 1924 election saw the victory of the conservative Constitution Party.

In 1925, Fusen was devastated during the Great Depression. Mass unemployment, ineffectual government, and resentment for the humiliation placed on the nation by the Treaty of X resulted in the rise of both far-left and far-right parties, largely in the form of the Communists and the Renewalists. Furthermore, rumors spread following the Great 1927 Kyoki Earthquake that the Khak had poisoned wells and prayed for such as a disaster to come upon the Fusenese people and nation. The ensuing weeks saw the mass killing of ethnic Khak and those who were suspected to be Khak, with the police turning a blind eye toward or even aiding in the killings.

In 1928, the Renewalists under the leadership of Aso Nobosuke won the 1928 election. In 1929, all other political parties were banned and the leaders of various leftist were arrested. Under the Renewalists, Fusen began a massive military buildup and mobilization, with a particular emphasis on the air force and the navy.

Through deficit spending, government programs caused unemployment and poverty to plummet. Public works projects built up a significant amount of infrastructure, such as the Hokano Dam.

In 1933, Fusen annexed Hyaon, which had previously declared independence during the civil war, with an annexation of Izin following suit in 1934.

Postwar and modern era
Fusen found itself occupied by the Allied powers following its loss in the Eulhae War.

Government


Fusen is a , with the Prime Minister serving as  while the President serves as a ceremonial head of state. The country has a unicameral legislature known as the Parliament, which has 640 seats. Members of the Fusenese parliament are chosen through a form of representation; half of all seats are elected through single-winner constituencies, while the other half is elected through region-based proportional representation. There is for all adults, although younger individuals and non-citizen permanent residents may acquire voting rights through passage of the voting acquisition exam. All voting is done through a.

Administrative divisions
Fusen is divided into eight regions, which are further divided into thirty-seven provinces and three directly governed municipalities. One region, Ryumoku, is governed as an autonomous region.

Reihoku 嶺北, Reinan 嶺南, Ryumoku 柳黙, Kyoki 京畿 (Kato 河東), Kasei 河西, Tobu 東部, Kaihoku 海北, Kainan 海南

Demographics
Ethnic Fusenese are the dominant ethnic group in Fusen, comprising 86.1% of the population in the 2014 census. Indigenous minorities include the Ryumokese and the Khak.

Languages
The official national language of the country is, a language. Modern Fusenese is written using three scripts: Cheonje characters known as, and two sets of syllabaries collectively known as and , based on cursive script and character radicals respectively. is frequently utilized and is a required subject in Fusnese schools.

Regional languages include Ryumokese, whose status as a dialect or a separate language is in dispute, as well as the Reso-Iluladmivic Resan language.

Migration
Fusen has historically several waves of migration.

Immigration to Fusen has been primarily from other members of the Sinju Union and from former colonies. Immigration from within the SU is primarily from other Aeyu, the countries of Shakushi and Wamu in particular. The area with the largest proportion and number of immigrants is the Chukyo Metropolitan Area, with notable immigrant communities also existing in Fukui and Heijo.

Education
education has been completely free since 1973, and parents are encouraged to send their kids to pre-schools. Due to their high take-up rate, pre-schooling is generally considered a normal part of schooling in Fusen despite it being optional.

Schools at public schools are provided for free, and are required to be nutritious and befitting growing children.

Families whose children are at risk for low academic achievement may be visited by trained professionals. They offer a wide variety of services that relate to each child's and each family's background and needs. Such professionals may visit pregnant low-income women and talk with them about positive health-related behaviors, such as following a healthy diet or refraining from the use of alcohol or tobacco while pregnant. Positive health-related behavior may have a major impact on children's school performance.

Home visitors may provide information on childcare and social services, help parents in crisis and model problem-solving skills. They may help implement the preschool/school curriculum at home or provide a curriculum of educational games designed to improve language, development and cognitive skills. In most cases, such support is offered to families on a voluntary basis. Families who are eligible for the program may decide for themselves whether or not they want to participate. There are no penalties if they decide against it or against continuing with the program.

Religion
Religion in Fusen has traditionally been syncretic, with the merging of indigenous shamanistic beliefs and imported religions such as and. The indigenous belief system of Fusen is referred to as, and the Tenno served as the most important religious leader prior to the end of the Tenno line in 1124. Buddhist orders were historically powerful groups in the country, the the introduction of Buddhist morality led to the stigmatizing of groups which worked with death such as butchers and tanners, who became an underclass known as. Several new religions arose in Fusen beginning in the 18th century; most Fusenese who identify as religious who are not of an immigrant background identify with one of these religions.

Minority peoples such as the Resans have their own set of traditional religious beliefs, but have experienced a significant amount of assimilation to the point where the modern adherents of traditional Resan religion lack a direct past to past practitioners, being mostly nationalists seeking to revive aspects of traditional Resan culture.

Today, an overwhelming majority of Fusenese do not consider themselves religious nor do many religious consider their religion a major part of their lives. However, despite such irreligiosity, most Fusenese nonetheless engage, celebrate, and participate in traditional rituals and holidays which have religious roots such as the of the New Year. Religions such as are practiced primarily by foreign workers and immigrant groups.

Music
Traditional folk songs were generally grouped into four categories: work songs, children's songs, religious songs, and gathering/festival songs. Popular traditional instruments include the, , , and the.

Fusen is home to one of the largest music markets in the world today. first originated and was popularized in the country, and remains one of the most popular recreational activities today and around the world.

Cuisine


Fusenese meals are based around on combining staple foods such as and  with a soup and side dishes known as . Rice is of particular importance; the fundamental status of rice as a staple food is signified by the fact that the Fusenese words for cooked rice, gohan and meshi, also mean "meal." However, some areas historically wheat was much more commonly consumed than rice util the early 19th century. Fusenese cuisine places a particular emphasis on the, the quality of ingredients, and presentation. Owing to its northerly location and relatively short growing seasons, much of Fusenese cuisine tends to lack spice and features a copious about of pickling - are eaten with almost every meal. Nonetheless, it features a great deal of regional variation with numerous regional specialties which use local ingredients and traditional recipes. Today, a wide variety of foods can be found from across the world. Restaurants serving Nochtlican, Tagolese, Jeongmian, and Meisaani food can be found in most urban areas.

A combination of, , and , , , and  is the most traditional way to season Fusenese food, these generally being the only seasonings used when grilling or braising some type of food. Extra herbs and spices may be used to neutralized fishy or gamy odors, as well as to give some extra flavor to the dish.

Due to the country's status as a collection of islands, is among the most popular types food in the country. While often grilled, it is also served raw in the form of or. The consumption of red meat from farm animals was long and explicitly banned by law fur much of the country's history, although wild game was permitted to be eaten. The ban on red meat consumption was permanently lifted in 1801, and several types of meat such as, , and are widely used in many Fusenese dishes today, many inspired by dishes from mainland Sinju such as  and.

can served to most Fusenese dishes, and is prepared in prepared in various forms such as, the tea used in. Matcha has also become an immensely popular flavor for desserts across the world, often being paired with various such as chocolates, pastries, and cookies.

Fashion and design


Fusenese fashion has a long history and has had profound influence upon the rest of the world. Cities such as Chukyo, Fukui, and Heijo serve not only as Fusenese fashion capitals but global ones as well. Major Fusenese fashion labels include Oyama, Tochikura, Isozaki, Haruguchi, Furusawa, Motoyoshi, and Yano.