Chisei

From Ordic Encyclopedia

The Kingdom of Chisei
治世国 Chisei-koku
Chiseian Flag
Flag Emblem
Motto: 天下布武 Tenka Fubu
All Under Heaven, By Force of Arms
Anthem: Ōmihikari
National Seal

Map of Chisei, showing major cities & states
Location of Chisei in Western Escar
CapitalEito
Largest Wanshu
Official languages Shirakawan, Saramosiri
Recognised national languages Shirakawan, Saramosiri, Geusyoan, Uraani, Kuijuan language, Kitahashinese, Hokufunese
Demonym Chiseian
Government Federal Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
 -  Grand King Tenkahiko
 -  Chancellor Ishū Chika
 -  Prime Minister Nishioka Kyouka
Legislature Grand Assembly
Establishment
 -  Shun dynasty 1594 
 -  Unification 1661-1711 
 -  Kahō Constitution 15th February, 1825 
 -  Jōhō Constitution 18th March, 1890 
 -  Meiwa Constitution 1st September, 1954 
Area
 -  459,125.67 km2
177,269 sq mi
Population
 -  2018 estimate 137,107,840
 -  Density 298.63/km2
773.4/sq mi
GDP (nominal) 2018 estimate
 -  Total $5,393,822,425,060
 -  Per capita $39,340
GiniDecrease 37.2
medium
HDI Increase 0.885
very high
Currency Chiseian Mon 文 (SHM)
Time zone Royal Standard Time (CET) (UTC+1)
Date format dd-mm-yyyy
Drives on the left
Calling code +41
ISO 3166 code SH

Chisei (Shirakawan: 治世国 ちせい Chisei-koku, lit: 'State of Chisei') or the Kingdom of Chisei, is a sovereign state in western Escar. It borders West Kuiju to the east, Chanha to the south, and shares a maritime border with the Hinomoto Special Administrative Region of Yamatai, across the Sea of Shirakawa. Chisei has an estimated population of 137 million, making it the 4th largest country in the world by population.

Chisei is a Semi-Constitutional Monarchy with a dual executive system system of governance. The current monarch is Tawiō Tenkahiko. The country's capital city is Eito, a major financial center host to a multitude of domestic and foreign corporations. The city of Wanshu, the most populous urban center in Chisei at over 13.4 million inhabitants and among the busiest ports in western Escar, is often regarded as the 'second capital' due to it's dominance in the media, the economy and in national politics, despite not holding any official status.

Historically, Chisei was formed as a union of the states of Shirakawa and Saramosir, with other neighboring kingdoms such as Kitahashi, Uraan and Geusyo incorporated later on. Today, this union manifests itself as a federation, with each region maintaining it's own capital, government and laws seperate from the overall Government of Chisei.

The unification of Chisei allowed it to become one of the largest colonial powers in the world by the late 18th century, though it's expansion in the 19th century would suffer a setback with the beginning of the domestic Taihei Revolution of 1804 and subsequent Chiseian civil war. Despite the eventual suppression of the revolts the absolutist Chiseian system was forced to reform, and the Kahō Constitution, passed in 1825, would establish the foundations of the modern Chiseian constitutional monarchy. The Chiseian empire would experience a brief renaissance, before it was once again sent on a gradual decline by a series of costly wars between the 1880s and 1910s. It would reach it's lowest point in the First Escar-Varunan War, which saw it decisively defeated by the rising Yamataian empire and it's government subsequently overthrown by a military junta, beginning the period known as the Conciliar Government.

Chisei would reclaim most of it's lost territory, despite nearing collapse, in the bloody and destructive Second Escar-Varunan War between 1937 and 1945. The war also served to disturb the balance of power within the military, and by 1954 civilian government would be fully restored by Marshal Hatsume Amami, who would go on to become Chisei's first postwar Chancellor. The '50s and '60s saw the dissolution of the Chiseian empire and reconciliation between Chisei and Yamatai, a development encouraged by the onset of the Escaric Divide.

Chisei today is a highly developed nation, with a high standard of human development and one of the most powerful economies in the world. Chisei is among the founding members of the Ordic League, and maintains a permanent seat on the Security Council. It is also a founding member of the Heian Cooperation Organisation (HECO), the Wanshu Development Summit (WDS) and the International Industrial Forum (IIF).

Etymology

The characters for Chisei in Chiseian Yashiman are 治世 (Hyōkana: ちせい), meaning 'Peaceful/Prosperous Times'. However, this spelling was only adopted in 1825. The most widely accepted actual etymology places the word's origin in old Kannaguru, around the 5th Century CE, from Cise-i or 'Place of Dwelling' - a broad term possibly referring to the idea of the 'known world', which eventually came into general use as a popular collective name for the various Kingdoms surrounding the regional powers of Shirakawa and Saramosir.

History

Prehistoric to classical history

In 1993 ancient hominid remains originating from about 100,000 BCE were found in lava at a paleolithic site near Goyado, along with a number of stone tools and crafted items. The earliest anatomically modern human inhabitants of Chisei likely arrived sometime around 37,000 BC, and rapidly spread throughout continental Chisei, southern Asaji and the Yashiman archipelago. Around 15,000 BCE, another group known as the Kujin, characterised by a more sedentary neolithic lifestyle began to migrate into Chisei from the east. They are thought to have given root to the Eastern Washu culture in Hinomoto, as well as the Kanazawa culture in northern Geusyo. Rudimentary agriculture was introduced to southern Chisei by 5,500 BCE, and had spread to Asaji by 2,000 BCE.

An example of Washu pottery.

Archaeological evidence demonstrates that complex agricultural societies and the earliest forms of social-political complexity emerged during the Shichimon Pottery Period (1500 - 300 BCE). Prior to the Yashiman migrations, Chisei was home to a large number of indigenous tribes - some settled, others nomadic - which Yashimic settlers termed Yezo (蝦夷). The largest included the Weyo, the Ashiaka, the Hayato and the Usumono. Based on records of tributes to the Hua court between 193 and 337 CE, it is believed at least some of the Yezo shared common customs and language, which may have been ancestral to the modern Asachi languages. The Hinoan conquest, beginning in 411 CE, and the subsequent 200 years of rule over western Shirakawa, saw a massive influx of Yashiman settlers, reducing the Yezo area mainly to what was to become Geusyo, Asachi, eastern Kitahashi, and until the later stages of Yashiman settlement, Huresir (eastern Shirakawa and parts of Uraan). Siddhism was introduced to Chisei in 498 from Moudak (武德), and monastic communities would soon carve out an important place in the politics of Chiseian courts.

Most of the regions settled by Yashiman-speakers would be unified under the San dynasty in the 8th century, beginning the Shirakawan Dynastic Period. The San state expanded its borders, conquering the Yezo kingdoms to the south and expanding the Yashiman sphere to Geusyo. In the north, the remnants of the Yezo mostly remained as many disorganized statelets and tribes until the 11th century, when they were integrated into the rising Kingdom of Asachi, and the San state. In 1201 the Asachinese under Ateruy II conquered and overthrew the San, establishing the shortlived Kingdom of Chisei, until Ateruy's death lead to the fracturing of their empire in 1216. While Asachi fragmented entirely, beginning the Seven Lords Period, the Katō War in Shirakawa saw the new Gejō dynasty triumph over Asachinese princes and the remnants of the San in the Kingdom of Geusyo.

With few opponents, the Gejō unified a realm from the Sea of Yashima to the Hisui Strait. An invasion by the Kikyō Shogunate of Hinomoto and their Geusyoan allies was repelled, securing Shirakawan control over the Usu islands and Toshima. Subsequent Gejō monarchs completed the conquest of Kitahashi and made repeated attempts to conquer Asachi, though they were unsuccessful beyond the establishment of small trading outposts. Domestically, the Gejō fully embraced cultural influence from the Huaxian sphere, introducing a new system of bureaucracy, a legal code, and standardised taxation. Confucianism and taoist ideas spread among the literate elite, and new schools of Siddhism were introduced.

Medieval Period

Portrait of Tulišen, or 'Kyofu Yoishige', around 1350 by court artist Yamanawo no Susumu.
The 1290 eruption of Mt. Tenzan in Yamatai resulted in widespread climate change across the Escaric mainland, and Chisei in particular was heavily affected, as harvests failed repeatedly for several years. Widespread famine and the resulting unrest and rebellions, alongside the arrival of the deadly White Plague in 1300, resulted in a sharp societal decline and the onset of civil war. A further challenge to the Shirakawan and Asachinese states was the mass migrations of nomads caused by the conquests of the Grand Ejenate beginning in 1291. Chiseian Tsahars first settled in the Uraani valley during this era, establishing small khanates and satrapies between Shirakawa and the Ejenate's western frontier.

In 1312 the Ejenate invaded Shirakawa, conquering the last independent holdouts of the Gejō dynasty by 1323. Karaqan, the third son of Grand Ejen Ahūnag, was appointed as the governor of the region. He oversaw the consolidation of the western Ahūnagid conquests, leading the invasion of Geusyo in 1336, the failed invasions of Hinomoto in 1340 and Asachi in 1346, and brutally crushing the Shinzan rebellion of 1345. Karaqanid Chisei became independent in 1350, after the division of the Grand Ejenate between the Ejen's sons, and in 1351 the Kangon Dynasty was founded in Bürgedbalik. Though enerally adopting the culture and customs of their Shirakawan subjects, the Kangon also innovated in many ways, centralising the court bureaucracy and even forming an early standing military, known as the Red Standard Army.

The Kangon reoccupied the briefly independent Kingdom of Geusyo in 1360, sparking a war with the Tong Dynasty of Chanha, which had guaranteed the protection of the fledging state. The Tong were soundly defeated, though the Tong-Kangon rivalry would persist with frequent border skirmishes and raids across the frontier.

By the 1390s, the Kangon frontiers reached as far as central Kuiju, with inroads also being made into Huaxia and even Asachi. With this new period of prosperity, trade and commerce once again flourished and major social realignments took place, filling the vacuum left by the conquests, succession wars and plague of the decades past. More laborers moved to the cities as the population grew and financial institutions grew highly developed. The court sponsored the first Chiseian exploratory voyages across Escar, Osova and Amphia.

In 1431, Geusyoan noble Toku Masakado launched a rebellion against the Kangon, with support from the Tong, and founded the Geusyo Republic. The loss of Geusyo further shook the dynasty, both due to the loss of the Kingdom's major breadbasket and the disastrous expeditions to reclaim the territory, which bankrupted the court and forced the debasing of the currency and heavy taxes. This in turn led to rebellions in the provinces, especially in the far eastern commanderies, where the court failed to pay its Uraani governors. Much of the urban proto-industry collapsed as a result, which also created major problems of vagrancy and banditry in the countryside. Natural disasters, such as the 1440 Chōwa event and the Great Eito Fire, also shook the foundations of the dynasty. In 1493, the Karaqanids would finally be overthrown by the native Kōhō Dynasty, with the remnants of the royal family forming a shortlived rump state in Aso.

The Kōhō did not rebuild most of the Kangon economic institutions, and actively reversed many of their reforms, decentralising taxation and the army to appease regional rebels and stabilise the country. A 1500 treaty with the Tong acknowledged Huaxian supremacy, and guaranteed the independence of Geusyo. There was also a reduction in the overseas trade and exploration that had begun under the Kangon, resulting in the emergence of the Asachinese Kingdom of Saramosir as the dominant naval and colonial power in Chisei. Saramosiri sailors surveyed and colonised territories in Valeya, southern Escar and Osova, and established trading outposts as far as Amphia. Nevertheless, the conservative policies of the Kōhō did end the crisis that had gripped Shirakawa since the 1430s, and restored some measure of stability. In the 1520s, the court even once again began sponsoring navigators and merchant enterprises as Saramosiri prosperity became apparent. The two powers would eventually come to blows, as they competed for colonial resources with eachother and other Escaric powers.

The growing power of merchants and scholar gentry over the Kōhō began to cause unrest among the Shirakawan landed nobility from the 1540s. Yet more controversial was the Kōhō court's eventual patronage of new Siddhist sects, introduced to Chisei through trade with southern and central Escar, which challenged the dominance of the traditional monastic hierarchies that had formed the Kōhō's base of support in the war against the Kangon. These tensions erupted into the Jinshin War in 1565, a large scale civil war that toppled the Kōhō and would also involve several neighboring states such as Geusyo, Saramosir, the Uraani Khanate and, eventually, Hinomoto.

Unification

In 1571 the Hinoan Taikunate invaded mainland Chisei, forming the Yashiman Empire stretching from Yamatai to eastern Shirakawa and Geusyo. However the state would be shortlived, as a series of bloody wars with the Uraani Khanate ground down the Hino-Yamataian armies, eventually halting the Taikunate's eastern expansion. The Hino-Saramosiri War of 1590-91 saw the Hinoans expelled from Shirakawa, and the Later Gejō Dynasty installed in Eito by Saramosir.

Early Imperial Period

  • early 1700s - Rapid expansion of the Chiseian empire
  • 1760s - Beginnings of the industrial revolution
  • 1780s/90s - Height of the Royal Autocracy
  • 1802 - Taihei Revolution, beginning of the Civil War

Late Imperial Period

  • 1825 - Grand Law, beginning of the Koushin Democracy
  • 1851 - End of the Koushin democracy
  • 1862 - 71 - Second Northern War

Early 20th century

Second Escar-Varunan War

Postwar

Contemporary history

Politics

Government

Chisei is a federal constitutional monarchy with a dual executive. The government of Chisei has a unique structure, made up of five branches: executive, legislative, judicial, audit and personnel.

The executive branch itself has two leaders: the Chancellor of Chisei, currently Ishū Chika, who is the de-facto head of state elected directly by universal suffrage and appointed by the Grand King of Chisei for an 8 year term, and the Grand Council of State, led by the Chancellor-appointed Prime Minister of Chisei, currently Nishioka Kyouka. The Chancellor executes all of the secular prerogative powers of the monarch, which include the ability to dissolve the current legislature, issue royal pardons, present credentials to ambassadors, and appoint the heads of the ministries of War and Foreign Affairs.

The Grand Assembly is the unicameral legislature of Chisei, elected by a system of mixed-member proportional representation every 3 years. The Prime Minister and Grand Council may be dismissed by the Assembly, and consequently the majority of the Assembly largely determines the choice of government. The Prime Minister and Grand Council in turn have a significant influence on the legislative agenda of the Assembly.

The personnel, audit and judicial branches are represented by the Three Commissions (三院 San'in), known as the Kōshīn (Examination Commission), Tosatsuin (Capital Investigative Commission) and Shihōin (Justice Commission). Together, the Three Commissions are tasked with the enforcement of the constitution, the defence of civil rights, the supervision of the democratic process, and with the removal of incompetent or unqualified officials, as well as their replacement. The Tosatsuin is furthermore responsible for the impeachment of the Chancellor. The directors of the San'in serve for life, and are appointed by the monarch, though they may be removed by a 3/4 majority vote of the Heavenly Assembly.

While 18th century Chisei was an absolute monarchy, the power of the Taiwō greatly declined with the Taihei Revolution of the 1810s, which established the Constitution of Chisei. Despite this, the old aristocracy remained the dominant force in politics until the First Escar-Varunan War, after which Chisei was subjected to almost three decades of military rule, legally enabled through the emergency rule of the monarchy. The restoration of democracy began in 1947, with both a new Constitution and the first postwar elections introduced in 1954. These reforms further distanced the monarch from political activity, and took further steps to introduce meritocracy and popular sovereignty to the Chiseian system. Postwar Chiseian politics have been dominated by the Royalists and Federalist parties, but this paradigm was suddenly upended in 2018 after the collapse and schism of the Royalists. As a result, one of the ex-Royalist factions, the New Citizens Party, succeeded in achieving a plurality of the vote in the 2019 elections and formed a coalition government with the left-wing Social Front and the regionalist Northern Welfare Party.

Monarchy

Judiciary

Law Enforcement

Mounted officers of the Uranuur Police Agency in Luunukh.
Law enforcement in Chisei is primarily provided by the national police agencies (民族警察庁 Minzoku Keisatsu-chō) of the Kingdom's constituent countries. These operate as unified organizations at the national district level, and there are typically no independent local police departments as is the case in many other countries, though municipal police forces have been established in some large cities.

Outside of these instances, many roles involved in day-to-day policing are commonly performed by Machikeitai, a form of volunteer-based neighborhood watch or town militia. Machikeitai are organised and partially funded by residents, though they recieve accreditation, training and financial support from District Police and local governments. They lack full powers of arrest and detention, but work closely with regular police units when necessary.

In remote or sparsely populated areas, or where criminal activity is notably more violent or widespread, patrols are instead handled by the Peaceguard or District Police.

The National Security Agency (全国警備庁 Zenkoku keibi-chō) meanwhile operates nationwide, and is responsible for both overseeing and coordinating the efforts of the national agencies where necessary, and tackling large scale criminal activity on a national and international level, working closely with the Kini'ei and the Peaceguard.

Although gun ownership in Chisei has always been relatively high, strict regulations mean district police departments do not usually arm their officers. Firearms capabilities, anti-terrorism and rapid response units are maintained and provided by the Chiseian Peaceguard. The Peaceguard also serves as back-up for regular police and NSA forces, and conducts policing in areas outside their jurisdiction (such as overseas territories and the Capital) and where resources are insufficient to support a local policing department, such as in isolated rural areas.

Administrative Divisions

Map of national districts and provinces.

Chisei is a federal state comprised of five constituent countries: Shirakawa, Saramosir, Geusyo, Uraan and Kitahashi. Each of the constituent countries has its own constitution, its own official language and its own legislature. All states are guaranteed the right to elect 5 members to the National Council, which advises the federal government and acts as an arbitrator in disputes.

The size and status of the constituent countries varies greatly, with the states of Shirakawa and Saramosir containing over 60% of the total population, and consequently wielding greater economic power and electing more political representatives in the Heavenly Assembly. They are also proportionally more developed than the peripheral districts. This region is consequently sometimes known as Naka no Kuni (中国, the 'central provinces'), and juxtaposed with the Sakai no Kuni (境国, 'borderlands') of Kitahashi, Geusyo and Uraan.

Each country is subdivided into Provinces (国 Kuni), which are further subdivided into Counties (郡 Gun).

Foreign Relations

Chisei maintains diplomatic relations with over 35 countries and territories, and is a founding member of the Ordic League. Almost all nations have embassies in Eito, and foreign consulates are present throughout the country. Similarly, nearly all nations hold Chiseian diplomatic missions. The Kingdom is generally recognized as one of the world's great powers, and it has a permanent seat on the Ordic League Security Council.

Chisei maintains very cordial relations with its neighbors and partners in the Wanshu Development Summit, which it founded and hosts, and geopolitically it is strongly aligned with the Heian Cooperation Organization, a military alliance chiefly opposed to the socialist states of Arshavat, Sahil and their allies in CODEX.

Military

Type 17 Jade Rabbit tanks of the Rokugun in northern Masuka, 2016.
The Royal Chiseian Armed Forces are the unified military forces of Chisei, consisting of three branches: the Chiseian Royal Army, the Chiseian Royal Navy and the Chiseian Royal Air Force. The Chancellor of Chisei is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, bearing the ceremonial rank of Royal Grand Marshal, and is responsible for appointing the Minister of War.

In the present day, Chiseian strategic goals center around power projection within the Varunan Ocean in support of key trade routes and regional stability, as well as the containment of Arshavat and it's allies. Large numbers of Chiseian troops are deployed in West Kuiju, Chanha, Masuka and Dai Hoa, and Chisei has also been an active participant in peacekeeping and anti-piracy operations in Antar and Osova.

Chisei maintains the XXth largest defense budget in the world and the second largest armed forces in size in the Heian Cooperation Organization after the Yamataian Armed Forces. Chisei also maintains the third largest nuclear deterrent in the world after Achtotlan and Zusea.

Geography

Demographics

Population

The National Census Agency of the Ministry of the Interior is responsible for collecting data from all areas of the country via the National Civic Registry. All individuals and households are required to update their data in the registry every 5 years, or upon immigrating. Data from the registry is collected and published by the National Census Agency every 10 years. The last census was published in 2018.

With a population of 137.1 million (2018), Chisei is the 3rd most populous nation in the world (after Achtotlan and Zusea), the 2nd most populous in Escar (after Arshavat), and the most populous in the Wanshu Development Summit and HECO. 122.7 million (89.5%) are Chiseian nationals, 9.6 million (7%) are Chiseian subjects (permanent residents without citizenship, and citizens of sovereign dependencies), and 3% are foreigners. The 2018 census put the population of Shirakawa at 59.4 million, Saramosir at 42.9 million, Gyōsho at 20.2 million, Uraan at 9.5 million, and Kitahashi at 4.1 million. Just over 1 million reside in Chiseian overseas territories and sovereign dependencies.

From 1998 to 2008, population growth averaged at 0.6 per year, and between 0.4 and 0.5 from 2008 to 2018. A significant amount of population growth in Chisei can be attributed to immigration; in 2018, 19% of newborns in Chisei had at least one foreign-born parent. The mean age of the population is 41.2

According to data collected by the Amanogawa Foundation, out of the population aged 16 and over, 3.2% identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual, while 21% of respondents replied with 'other', 'don't know', or did not respond.

Ethnic groups

Even prior to the considerable influx of immigrants in the last century, Chisei has been a heavily multiethnic and diverse country. Chisei collects ethnic data via the National Civic Registry, based on self identification. The largest recognized ethnic group, the Yashimato, consist of around 72.7 million people (53% of the population), and they can be further subdivided into dozens of linguistically, religiously and culturally distinct regional subgroups. By far the largest of these are Shirakawans, Chiseian-Yamataians and Kitahashito. Gyōshoans are generally considered to also be a subgroup of Yashimato, but typically do not identify as such in the Civic Registry - they are estimated to number around 15 million according to non-governmental polls.

The rest of the population, 64.4 million, are chiefly non-Yashimato. The second largest ethnic group are the Kannaguru, with 36.4 million (26.6% of total population) members. Other sizeable indigenous minorities include the Uraani at 10.2 million, the Ashiwase at 1 million, and the Urita at 500,000.

11% of the Chiseian population is foreign-born, and approximately 41% are estimated to be first, second or third generation immigrants. This includes some 8.9 million Chiseian Yamataians, 1.3 million Chiseian Songese, 758,117 Chiseian Kuijuans and others, who are classed as Seimin (西民 'Westerners') or Motomukokujin (元無国人 'former stateless persons') - these are the descendants of Yamataian and Kuijuan subjects resident in territories annexed by Chisei under the 1949 Treaty of Eito, and naturalised between 1951 and 1962. It also encompasses 13.6 million Shiro-Osovans, approx. 3.5 million South Escarics (Later Songese migrants, Masukans, Sahilese and others) and Varunan islanders, 3.2 million Shiro-Valeyans and Shiro-Setics, and just over 2 million Ordans and Antari.

Languages

Shirakawan and Saramosiri are the official languages of Chisei. The Chiseian government practices a policy of Official Bilingualism, with the two languages being officially equal in government edicts, parliamentary procedure and the courts. They are also the official languages of the states of Shirakawa and Saramosir respectively.

Besides the two official languages, there are a number of other languages granted official status as national languages in each respective country. Shirakawan and Saramosir are the national languages of Shirakawa and Saramosir respectively and Geusyoan is used in Geusyo. Two countries recognise multiple national languages: Uraani and Kuijuan in Uraan, and Kitahashinese and Hokufunese in Kitahashi.

Religion

Education

Health

Culture

Sports

Yabusame archer on horseback

Chiseian athletes are most well known internationally for their frequent success in archery and combat sports such as boxing, judo, taekwondo and competitive dueling, where a number of champions have emerged, particularly after government efforts to encourage and ease the growth of these sports in the wake of and the run-up to the 1964 Eito Olympic Games. Competitive dueling specifically also owes much of its rejuvenated global profile to the export of Chiseian media and popular culture to countries in Escar and the rest of the world; today Chisei is host to the Ordic International Dueling Association and has held a large number of international pistol and fencing championships.

The Chiseian national football team was formed in 1910, but the sport itself exploded prominence only after 1950, with a suprise victory in the OOF World Cup of that year. The growing domestic leagues produced national football icons such as Takahara Ryu, Morinori Toki and Kaneki Unno. Rivalries quickly formed between the Chiseian team and those of frequent competitors, and the national team, popularly nicknamed the 'Black Foxes', seized another victory in the 1970 cup. The aforementioned domestic leagues meanwhile continued to grow into the 21st century, fueled by commercial sponsorship and the growth of television ownership. In 2016, football was the most widely watched sporting event on Chiseian television, followed closely by horse racing and baseball. There is also a significant following, among the well-off, for aviation and motor sports. Gambling, on both traditional horse races and their modern counterparts, has exploded into a highly lucrative industry since it's legalization in the 1960s.

In terms of sports practiced by the general public, the most popular are baseball and badminton, followed by volleyball, football and a variety of martial arts. Many of these have been cemented in Chiseian culture due to their appeal in middle and high-schools, where extracurricular activities are typically mandatory, leading to almost all Chiseians participating in at least one of these sports at some point in their lives.

Traditional Chiseian sports, such as the various forms of wrestling and horse archery, remain popular with audiences, especially thanks to their association with Jindo festivals and inclusion in major international sporting events such as the Embassy games, alongside more modern activities. The officially recognized 'national' sports of Chisei are sumo and yabusame.

Minority sports (for example, darts and table tennis) have experienced support in recent decades due to greater media attention and a resurgence in Chiseian pub culture, which many drinking establishments across the country introducing such games to attract customers. Among the youth, E-Sports is a growing phenomenon, largely imported from Yeongseon, that continues to attract larger and larger numbers of spectators and sponsors. Some Zaibatsu in the computing-technology industries have taken to promoting e-sports as a method of subverting more established rivals already sponsoring major physical sports teams.

Architecture

Traditional Chiseian architecture bears many similarities to that of Yamatai, and indeed both styles are heavily influenced by the practices of the Yashimese people. It's defining features are wooden structures, slight elevations, and tiled or thatched roofs usually borrowing from Cathaian architectural motifs for decorative features; unlike the Yamataian style however, Chiseian traditional residences, temples, shrines and castles incorporate a wider variety of local wood types and make much more use of stone and clay, reflecting the greater natural resources of the Escari mainland relative to the Yashiman islands.

Since the 18th century however, Chisei has also consistently been influenced by foreign architectural movements, such as modern and post-modern architecture, which have merged with indigenous ideas that came about during the Industrial Revolution and the years thereafter, producing many local variations.

Art

Cuisine

A Saramosiri "set meal" with venison and mountain vegetable soup (yuk ohaw), fermented salmon liver (mefun) and rice mixed with grains.
Chiseian cuisine is strongly influenced by the country's multicultural heritage and it's persistent ties to both the Yashiman and Cathaic cultural spheres. The traditional cuisine of Chisei (古食 Kashoku) is based on rice served with Ouwa soup and various other meat dishes. Unlike Yashiman and Hinoan cuisine, traditional chefs in mainland Yashima did not use miso or sugar quite as heavily in cooking, though since the 19th century many foreign seasonings have made their way into modern recipes. The use of oils and soy sauce has been and continues to be very popular for flavoring.

Porridge made from Chiseian millet (in the north) or rice (in the south) was once a popular dish among the lower class, that has declined in modern times as available meals have diversified. Sayo is a thinner variant, typically drank like tea after a meal of fatty soups and meat as a palate cleanser.

Noodles are another popular replacement for rice dishes as a main course, and almost every region of Chisei has it's own variety of kake udon (noodle soup introduced from Hinomoto) and ramen (a Cathaic import of the 19th century).

Raw meat like sashimi is rarely served in Chisei, except in foreign restaurants, and methods such as boiling, roasting and curing are instead used to prepare meat. Deep frying was introduced from Amphia in the 16th century. Chisei is famous for it's ranching traditions, and both beef and horse meat are widely consumed and exported. The Tazawa Deer was once the predominate game animal, and was widely hunted and eaten by all social classes, but as populations have sharply declined since the 1930s venison has become more of a prestige and festival food.

A batch of satō abage being deep fried.

Potatoes and peppers were introduced into Chisei from Valeya in the 15th century, and quickly caught on. Chilli sauce is a highly popular condiment for milder dishes, alongside wasabi. Potatoes are usually eaten as a primary ingredient in rataskep/konshoku, a mixture of various vegetables and beans stewed until they turn soft and the liquid has evaporated, which are then mashed and seasoned with oils and salt. Mashed potato salad with onion is also sometimes served as a side alongside roasted fish and game, or mixed with mushrooms and used as a filling for Shitogi, traditional Chiseian dumplings made using crushed millet or rice. Other common fillings include pumpkin and ground meat. They are also sometimes served as a desert, with fillings of crushed fruit or sweetened cream. In all cases they are usually fried for serving, with onion (when savoury) or cinnamon (when sweet).

Fish and other sea creatures such as seals, octopi and crab are another staple, especially in southern Chisei, where a vast number of domestic and foreign-derived recipes exists. The salmon is the most popular fish, and salmon heads are often a central ingredient of citatap or takaki - a dish made of various boiled meats and small fish or fish parts crushed together with minced spring onion and vegetables, before being seasoned with dried kelp or salt. Citatap is often made in bulk from leftovers of slightly older meat, and eaten over several days.

Ouwa, Shiru, Ohaw or Oshal refers to a soup or hotpot cooked with a mix of meat, fish and vegetables. It is usually based on a stock of animal bone or dried fish, and is cooked with roughly chopped meat, root vegetables and sometimes sweet fruits such as apple or plum. The soup is flavoured with animal or fish fats and a small amount of salt.

Truly vegetarian dishes in traditional cuisine are rare, as even vegetable-based meals are usually seasoned with animal or fish fats. One of the few traditional vegetarian options is nattou, fermented soybeans. In the last century however, tofu and other meat substitutes have increasingly seen use.

Green tea may be served with most Chiseian meals and many varieties are produced in Chisei. Matcha is a type of green tea originating in Yamatai, used in the tea ceremony. Since the late 18th century black tea and coffee have also been widely imported from across Escar and Antar. Coffee has been grown in southern Chisei since the 1920s, and Wanshu in particular is well-known for it's vibrant cafe culture.

Shōchū is a distilled spirit made from barley, sweet potato, buckwheat or rice, and is produced everywhere in Chisei with distinct regional brands and many famous breweries, but originates in Kaigan. Along with Yamataian sake and beer it is among the most popular alcoholic beverages. Beer has been produced in Chisei since the late 1800s, and lager is the most common type. Yeongseonin soju is also a widely imported liquour. Amphian-style wines are generally very expensive, and exclusively imported, with relatively few native wineries - consequently it is primarily a prestige drink.

A popular form of dessert or street snack are satō abura-age, often shortened as satō abage, deep-fried balls of dough similar to donuts.

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