Nihon, The Land of The Rising Sun. A land shrouded in mists and mystery for countless centuries. Silent and dormant in the churning waters of the pacific unknown by the majority of the greater world around it. One would be inclined to think little of an island nation. So remote, so cut off from the rest of the world for so long. But that would be foolishness. This much was known by its neighbors. Russia, China and countless other shoreline countries of Asia. All knew Japan for what it truly was. A ravenous fortress. One that was united in its purpose under their Emperor. Fostering a unity not even China had ever held for very long, given its sheer size. A unity that had begun -cracking-. Japan showed a strong front to the world it staunchly refused to take part in. America, Great Britain, The Netherlands; what they saw was a competent and rapidly developing country bold enough to fight wars of occupation against kingdoms far vaster than itself. Military strength, technological development despite being behind the western industrial powers, economic and agricultural prosperity. Japan was a kingdom strong enough to not just request but -demand- it be left alone. It needed nothing from anyone. Until the United States put them to the test. “Black Ships” That’s what the people of Japan called the vessels of the Europeans. Enormous beasts of metal and smoke, carting hundreds of foreigners for thousands of miles. It began with the Dutch. Allowed strict trading in Nagasaki. Weapons like guns that threatened the ancient ways of Bushido and the Samurai way of life. Innovations like electricity grids and trains that were changing the very face of Japan's cities. Already, despite the clear boons to transportation, to technology, to warfare against its enemies; It was clear that Japan was buckling under the changes to its ancient traditions and customs. Then the Americans arrived. Different Black Ships. Warships arrived on the shores of Japan’s empire.
In direct defiance of the Emperor’s proclamation that foreigners dock in Nagasaki. A Navy Commodore, one man. Threatened to burn the docks and its surrounding towns and cities to the ground if not given passage straight to the Emperor. The ships were enormous, imposing. Each of his men marched off of them brandishing their guns. Firing them into the ocean as a show of force as they sneered at the Japanese officers who greeted them wielding swords. And just like that. Thousands of years of careful construction, refinement, and polishing of the idea that Japan was immovable. -Vanished- The Americans sneered at all the Daisho and Emperor, at what Japan itself had to offer, Its grand sumo tournament meant to display the ferocity of Japan's warrior spirit? “A disgusting exhibition of barbaric powers.” The delicate refined art of Geisha theater discounted as perverse frivolity. The Commodore in turn showed Japan Black Face Minstrel shows performed by his own soldiers, and had his Navy musicians play a military band show to impart on all present what ‘modern’ entertainment was. Impudence, Audacity, Heresy. The foreign soldier spat upon everything Japan was or took pride in. Tore its figurative walls down to shreds, forced the Emperor's own hand in an unfair trade deal with foreign powers. And then left. Leaving other scavenger nations to opportunistically pick at the carcass of Japan's pride and demand their own deals as well. The Sun rose on the Empire of Nihon that day. But no longer did it belong to the Emperor. No longer did it belong to Japan. Even So; The Sun remains one of Japan’s greatest allies. A stalwart, insurmountable force against those who would harm Japan and its people. The greatest asset in Japan’s war against those who would bring on its destruction. Long before the Sun was captured by U.S scientists and let loose against Japan and its people. Cleansing all in its wake, burning all to ash in its violent resplendence for a fraction of an instant.
The Sun combated Japan’s greatest kept secret. One of its oldest, bitterest foes. Demons
What had prevented the misty Empire of Japan from collapsing was its name-sake. For despite all of the terrible powers of demons; the terrible nigh-immortal creatures. For all their massive strength, their inability to be wounded, and foul mystic arts. None could ever rule Japan. For Japan was the -Land of the Rising Sun- And all demons, great and small ran from the might of its glory. The sun had risen that morning as it had every day since the Gods had willed it to be so, And one singular man who would become a hero in a small Honshu village had risen before it. This is his story.
