Idea Tales of Nakashigata -- Feedback Thread

[Crayons]

Hi there! I am not really sure if this is the main reason why Japan, China and other societies that were mainly agrarian became industrialised during that time, but I believe it had to do particularly because of economical competition and independence, right? With world economical potencies such as Great Britain at the time, and being "colonised" (or better, conquered) being a risk, stepping up the technological game was used as a strategy to affirm themselves globally, I believe. But I am not sure about it. Also, it is important to notice that I am by no means trying to diminish Japan back at the time, rather saying that they tried to catch up with the Western countries when it came to industrialisation and that such was probably motivated due to the fact that big potencies were doing the same, and if nothing was done, that could culminate in a state of non-independence if it makes sense. After all, they definitely had a bad experience with the Nanban trade, the reason why the Sakoku was implemented. I guess that in Musician's version of Japan at the time it could even be more underlying reasons as to why such might have happened.

Edit:
Youtube recommended me this, and I think that it might have some useful information on the topics you are researching about, at least when it comes to diplomatic relationships and interactions with other civilisations. This is from the end of the Edo period (the one previous to the Meiji one), but, as things were already shifting, I believe it might give you some insight n how Japanese viewed Europeans back then:

Spoiler

You're somewhat correct in that Japan industrialised so that it could compete with the other big colonial powers. However, this only happened after it was forced to open up to foreigners with the arrival of Matthew Perry and the Americans. When the Americans first arrived and demanded Japan open to trade, there was resistance from Japan, and opening the country was only really settled on as a strategy after the Japanese realised that the Western powers had technology - particularly in warfare - that was so much more advanced than their own. This didn't come easily, there was a lot of intense conflict, assassinations, civil war, different Western powers becoming involved on different sides of the war, grudges opened up from Sekigahara over 200 hundred years earlier, and the eventual collapse of the Shogunate. This period was known as Bakumatsu "The End of the Shogunate". (It's extremely interesting, but also ridiculously complex which was why I recommended Meiji as a better place to start, as things are much more settled but still with some awesome tensions.)

Once it was finally settled that Japan would open to the West (and completely change their entire society), the Japanese then decided that they would learn as much as they possibly could from the west about advancing their own industry and military technology so that they could compete on the world stage, which they did very successfully. They also decided to start a bunch of wars to show they meant business, for example with Russia, (which manga and anime fans can read about in Golden Kamui if they like) and joined in with the British and French attempting to mess about with China.

Essentially Japan was kind of caught with its pants down with its two hundred and fifty years of isolation and had to play catch up very quickly.

 

[Chordling]

 

[Chordling]

Some location inspiration...

(Night and Winter)

 

[Chordling]

Been working out a bit of the lore for this setting. Here's a tidbit for you guys to chew on. :3

History of Steam Technology
The Nakashigata military pushed advancements of steam technology and industrialization to fortify and protect the land from potential invading forces. But advanced weaponry and some technology were banned from the nation once the Emperor regained power from the military for the way officers used them to abuse society, break from traditional culture, and cause long periods of terror. Citizens and military members alike are no longer allowed to own or manufacture firearms. Steam technology is only allowed to be used for recreational purposes or for manufacturing commercial ships. The Emperor receives aide from allied nations in times of war in exchange for a share of Nakashigata's riches.