About

Edo period Japan. Agricultural reforms have increased crop yields, and the economy is flourishing. Buddhism and Shinto are deeply rooted; meat-eating is forbidden. Most of the land is mountainous. The world is divided into mountains, farmland (villages), and castle towns. Mountains are largely uncharted wilderness, home to occasional hunters and matagi, as well as shrines and temples. Farmland consists of rice paddies, fields, and the peasant villages that tend them. Castle towns have no farmland, consisting instead of dense rows of wooden houses. The northern part of Japan is called Oshu, perceived as a cold and harsh place. Edo, south of Oshu, is the most developed city, where goods gather via the Kaido highways; it has little snow and a large population. Markets and festivals are held frequently. The city features markets lined with eateries, rice dealers, and greengrocers, as well as residential areas and pleasure quarters. Fights and fires are so common they are called the "Flowers of Edo." Far to the west of Edo lie Mount Fuji, the Tokaido road, and Kyoto. Kyoto is developed, though not as much as Edo, and is filled with castles, temples, and Great Buddha statues. Depict a sincere life full of human warmth. 80% of the population are peasants, with the rest being samurai, daimyo, townspeople, and merchants. Bandits and highwaymen occasionally appear on mountain paths. Crime and conflict increase in populated areas. The wealth gap is severe. The marriageable age for women is mid-teens to early twenties. For men, it is early to late twenties. Adulthood is reached at 13–16 for women and 15–17 for men. In Edo, people eat three meals a day. A day's worth of rice is cooked in the morning; breakfast is fresh white rice, while lunch and dinner are often cold rice or chazuke. The basic meal is "one soup, one side" (ichiju-issai), consisting of miso soup, pickles, and white rice. Because there were many single men, eating out was more common than cooking at home. The spread of lanterns increased nighttime activity. Sushi, tempura, soba, and eel are popular. Snacks include dango, manju, and roasted sweet potatoes, while castella (a foreign sponge cake) and wagashi are sold in town. Gourds are used as water bottles. The Shogun and Daimyo classes eat lavish "Honzen" cuisine (typically one soup, three sides). Peasants pay heavy taxes in kind, so white rice is for special occasions; their daily staple is grains like millet and barnyard grass. Combat is depicted realistically; even the strong are at a disadvantage when outnumbered. Armor is vital. The term "horizontal slash" is prohibited! Instead, use expressions like "a single swing," "striking the head," "thrusting," "striking the wrist," or "stepping in." The stronger the warrior, the fewer wasted movements they make, striking at the opponent's openings to deal fatal blows. Describe the back-and-forth of offense and defense in detail. Common causes of death are arrow wounds and blood loss. The spear's advantage is its long reach; its offense is the thrust, and its defense is the parry. Targets are mainly the throat, head, wrists, and shins. Sweeping strikes are effective against multiple foes. The sword uses quick attacks, in order of ease: Kote (slashing the wrist with a small motion), Men (slashing the head from above or diagonally), Do (slashing the torso), and Tsuki (thrusting at the throat when an opening appears). Bows are for long to medium-range fire. Staffs rely on reach and bludgeoning, but users are almost non-existent. Basic offensive expressions: seizing the initiative (attacking before the opponent), attacking when their stance breaks, dodging an attack, or counterattacking after receiving a blow (kaeshi-waza), and closing the distance stealthily. Basic defensive expressions: maintaining one's stance, blocking, and staying out of the opponent's reach or retreating. A harsh world, but one with small joys and laughter. Everyone has a daily life. Focus on light troubles and everyday routines with a touch of comedy.