When in the dim court
Look hard at Motoyasu
For whom gods favor
Imagawa Yoshimoto has continued to shower Matsudaira Motoyasu with a larger estate and more status within his court. The result of this has been a significant boost in the Matsudaira family's relationship with the Imagawa, who they continue to serve unfalteringly.
(+2 companies to Imagawa from newly raised Matsudaira bannermen)
(+2 Imagawa prestige)
(+1 confidence of Matsudaira Clan)
Imagawa couriers have delivered gifts of tea, silks, and porcelain to the Takeda and Hojo clans.
Imagawa Ujizane, Yoshimoto's most capable and learned son, has begun to overlook the codification and eventual implementation of a new tax system. He has also begun to serve as a de-facto policeman against bandits who have tormented peasants. Thus, Yoshimoto's son has become well-liked by many farmers.
(+1 Imagawa prestige)
The Egalitarian Sermon - Tokai Chapter
A network of couriers has developed throughout the whole of Japan serving the Ikko-Ikki, usually in the guise of monks, though sometimes also in the guise of respectable merchants. Little can be done to stop this communication, though monks caught carrying messages or merchants caught delivering goods are often severely punished, depending on the domain they are caught within and the lord who presides over such lands.
(+1 Ikko-Ikki prestige)
(Converted Peasantry +1 confidence)
* * * * *
Kinai
Superior Steel of Lake Biwa
Have you held that sword?
Glistening under spring light
A blade from Biwa
The Asai Clan now has a fully functioning Muramasa school of swordsmithing within their domain. The school is located at Odani Castle, and the master there is called Muramasa Takahiro, a fake name used to protect the actual Muramasa who came to the Asai domain from Ise Province (considered dishonorable to the Muramasa masters of that province).
(+ "prized swords" to Asai military description)
(+2 Asai prestige)
The marriage between Asai Hisamasa and Oda Oichi has become strained due to recent Oda losses against the Imagawa. As such, some Asai retainers have become less confident in their lord, and their situation. Other retainers are openly criticizing their brethren, questioning their "undying" loyalty.
(-1 confidence to Asai Retainers)
* * * * *
Kyushu
The Egalitarian Sermon - Kyushu Chapter
Remember his face
The monk who came in summer
Offering refuge
As the bloody war between the Otomo and Mori Clans consumed Hakata, and resulted in the slaughtering of many post station operators and the encroachment onto farmers' lands, Ikko-Ikki warrior monks visited villages and offered them protection in the temple town of Fukuzaki, at Kanzeon-ji. Hundreds of villagers and merchants flocked to that temple. They brought rice and assisted in the continued construction of that temple.
(+4 prestige to Ikko-Ikki)
(+5 rabble companies to Ikko-Ikki)
(+1,000 koku to Ikko-Ikki stores)
The Construction of Fukusaki Kanzeon-ji
As stated above, the Ikko-Ikki have begun to construct a temple at Fukusaki (OOC: Near real-life Fukuoka City). This temple will practically be a castle, as well as serving as a fortified port zone. The area chosen for this project contains strategic coves, rivers, and hills, and will most-likely be a valuable port, if completed. A moat and thick stone walls are being erected along with the temple proper, and the walls are being designed with guns in mind. A tall pagoda is to be constructed to serve as both a watchtower, navigational aid for ships, and of course, a bastion of religious worship. Ikko-Ikki monks have also acquired a number of Buddhist relics previously discarded and buried by Jesuit missionaries. They are thus using these spiritual objects to create proper shrines and display areas within the temple grounds. The construction of this temple has been largely funded by secret outside sources. Because this temple is being constructed within Otomo lands, it has drawn considerable criticism from the Jesuits still living in Kyushu. Nonetheless, Otomo Sorin has been hesitant to stop the construction, and is instead appearing as if he supports it, for no other reason other than to not further anger his retainers (many of whom have become taken with the Ikko-Ikki movement in response the violent upheaval of Buddhist holy sites and relics by the Christians).
(+500 to per-turn koku income / more will come as the temple-fortress is constructed)
(+3 prestige to Ikko-Ikki)
(-2 prestige to Otomo)
[ Fukusai Kanzeon-ji is about 1/6 finished. ]
The Ikko-Ikki have begun to preach within the Otomo domain via the major road leading to Kumamoto, drawing hostility from the Jesuit missionaries who still remain in Kyushu (despite the fall of Nagasaki and other factors).
(+1 Ikko-Ikki prestige)
(Otomo Kyushu Jesuits -1 confidence)
Otomo Sorin's Matter of Faith
Unappeased, Otomo retainers are continuing to lose faith in their lord, as he promises renovations to Buddhist and Shinto temples but does not actually allocate funds to support such promises.
(Otomo Retainers confidence -1 / Alert: confidence dangerously low)
The Bear of Hizen
The Bear of Hizen has contributed a significant amount of resources to the reparation of damages done by the Jesuits to any holy places within the Ryuzoji domain. Resources have also been given to Arima estates to repair damage caused by war, mostly as a sign of hospitality and good-will.
(+3 Ryuzoji prestige)
* * * * *
Shikoku
The Pilgrim's Paradise
Chosokabe Motochika has continued to enhance his roads system. Thus, the Chosokabe domain's travel infrastructure continues to be one of the finest in Japan, and even more religious pilgrimages are beginning to occur as the roads connect important temples.
(+1 Chosokabe prestige)
* * * * *
Story Bonuses
T_F:
Asai Hisamasa's tanka poetry continues to amaze Japan.
(+2 Asai prestige)