Fusen

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

Fusen is divided into 37 provinces and eight regions, with one ethnic enclave. 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 4 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. Fusen's cities are known for their distinct architectual styles, and pedistran friendly street designs.

Fusen enjoys a unique governance system, based around preserving the heterogeneity of Fusenese society, and the freedoms enjoyed by it's people. The basic unit of Fusense governance is the tonarigumi, a mutual aid associtation that every 20-25 households particpate in. The tonarigumi deliberates local concerns, as well as electing higher level councils through soviet democracy. Political problems in Fusen are dealt with from the lowest level, and from the body that has the most immediate concern with the matter. For example, a tonarigumi might deliberate the building of a new store in a local community, whereas a national emergency would be dealt by the provincal level council. Fusen's various professionals organize into Professional Societies, which decide basic economic policy, work with national councils on making decisions, and manage areas related to their area of expertise. For example a society made up of steelworkers would deliberate policy concerning the steel industry with larger steel enterprises. Every 6 months Fusenese workers, professional societies, businessmen and scholar-gentry are required to have a meeting, and discuss concerns related to the enteprise. This system of meetings and professional societies gives Fusenese workers high levels of collective bargaining power. Civil servants also have their own societies, which manage Fusense government ministries. Questions of law and in Fusen are dealt with by Fusen's, who work at state sponsored universities, and are picked at random to decide cases of law in courts, via. The scholar gentry also creates various surveys and papers looking at the impact of policies, and create national recommendations for local governments. Finally the Fusenese Army has the role of "defending Fusen and it's polictical system", and while at normal times isn't supposed to interfere in the policial system, it can intervene if the system is faced with foreign threats. The army also deals with areas concerning disaster relief, national security, and protecting Fusenese ocerseas.

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 Tianqi and the rest of Sinju brought about profound shifts to the country's language, governing structure, and culture. The island of Fusen was unified into a single state by 1671, but prior to that had also begun acquiring overseas colonies. The Fusenese monarchy in the 18th cenuty began a massive programme of centralization, forcefully trying to integrate distinct daimyos, intellectuals, and merchants under one absolute imperial bueracracy. Much of Fusen's artistocracy scholars and merchants grew discontented by these policies, and gradully grew more against the Fusense monarchy. The centralization only lasted until the death of the second Emperor of the Fusenese Emperor, and a power struggle among nobles escalted into the Fusenese Revolution. Seen as the major liberal revoution of Tiandi, the Fusenese Revolution created one of the earliest democracies in Sinju, and has inspired every revolution ever since. The Revolution triggered the attempted reinstatment of the Koriwa Emperor by Jeongmi and it's allies. Early on Fusen occuiped much of Sinju, but was eventually pushed back. Drained of resources, and with the war at stalemate the Fusenese Wars ended 5 years later. The peace deal saw Fusen stripped of it's first colonies. During the 19th century Fusen's political system matured, and it began a rapid state led modernzation. Fusen soon became a Tiandian industrial powerhouse, rivarling Jeongmi. Fusen also saw a second round of colonization, now orientated towards Miju and Namju,and became an integral member of the so called "Concert of Sinju". Fusen would also reproach towards Jeongmi, with both countries endorsing the ideas of freedom of trade, and [["Min'na no Umi"].

Today, Fusen is a and the Xth largest economy in the world by nominal GDP, and the Xth largest by PPP. It is Xth largest exporter and Xth largest importer of goods worldwide. Fusen has one of the largest and most important economies in Tiandi, specializing in electronics, software, automobiles, and industrial machinery. It's economy is a leader in the manufacture of high-technology goods, as well as research and development. However Fusen lags behind Jeongmi in areas like finance and insurance, principally due to it's much harsher regulations. Fusenese citizens are some of the most educated in the world, and along with state policies to reduce living costs and high wages, enjoys some of the highest living standards in Tiandi. Fusen enjoys a robust social safety net, universal health care system, tution free education, and strong environmental laws. In recent years however, the Fusenese economy has remained stagnant, and with the country unwilling to engage in reforms to the economy, it will likely remain so in the foreseeable future

Etymology


The kanji for Fusen, 浮川, were first applied to the nation by travelers from Tianqi 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 Tianqi in the 1st century Records of Tianqi. 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 Tianqian designs. Tianqian 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 Tianqi. There was a great deal of interest in Tianqian-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.



Nascent feelings of nationalism began to emerge during the Hundred Flowers era and became particularly strong during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Fusen sought the unification of Fusenic-speaking areas, desiring the incorporation of countries such as Mishiwase, 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. In 1871, the country unexpectedly easily defeated Meisaan in the 1871 Lukdou War. 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


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

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. Today, the Fusenese Constitution guarantees to all areas under Fusenese jurisdiction. 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.

Religions such as are practiced primarily by foreign workers and immigrant groups.

Cuisine


Fusenese meals are based around on combining staple foods such as and  with a soup and side dishes known as . 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.

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.