Post by Sze Kamlong on Jul 28, 2006 20:21:03 GMT -5
As lawlessness in Japan becomes increasingly frequent, the people begin to lose faith in the imperial family. Certain generals of the royal army become impatient and plot to seize the throne, kill the family, and start their own reign. These conspirators and their troops attempt a coup, storming the castle with surprising force, only to be thwarted by a low-ranking officer. As a result, Prince Koyada Akihito is the last remaining member of the imperial family, although he is too young to rule as Mikado.
The officer, Akiyama Kisho, is promoted to the title of Shogun. Shogun Akiyama controls all of Japan within a shogunate political structure, even after the prince reaches ruling age. Over time, the total supremacy corrupts Akiyama, and he becomes a selfish, unkind man- blind to the nation's needs. Under Akiyama's strict rule and fear of the royal army, the anarchy of Japan has finally ceased, but other problems are forming for the commoners.
General Asai Yuuto sees that the villages are becoming destitute and that Akiyama, along with the Kyoto aristocracy, will soon ruin Japan. Asai, leader of a samurai clan that has been loyal to the Mikado for generations, begins to take action against his commanding officer- Shogun Akiyama.
Asai gathers an underground of trustworthy samurai clans within the royal army. As a general of the Shogun’s army, he is able to easily maneuver their faction around Akiyama’s movements. Together, Asai and Prince Akihito secretly prepare to overthrow the Shogun and return Japan under the rule of the imperial family.
Before they can implement their plans, China declares an embargo that will squeeze the peasants as well as the aristocracy. With rumors of a rebel faction in the capital, Shogun Akiyama remains in Edo and sends Prince Akihito in his place to negotiate with the Chinese diplomats. The prince's journey never comes to completion, however, as he’s ambushed at the coast by a rebel assassin.
Due to the sacrifice of his bodyguards, the prince escapes and hides in a trade ship that sails toward a coastal town in China, carrying the last batch of exported goods before the actual trade block can go into effect.
Three Chinese generals are stationed at this town.
The officer, Akiyama Kisho, is promoted to the title of Shogun. Shogun Akiyama controls all of Japan within a shogunate political structure, even after the prince reaches ruling age. Over time, the total supremacy corrupts Akiyama, and he becomes a selfish, unkind man- blind to the nation's needs. Under Akiyama's strict rule and fear of the royal army, the anarchy of Japan has finally ceased, but other problems are forming for the commoners.
General Asai Yuuto sees that the villages are becoming destitute and that Akiyama, along with the Kyoto aristocracy, will soon ruin Japan. Asai, leader of a samurai clan that has been loyal to the Mikado for generations, begins to take action against his commanding officer- Shogun Akiyama.
Asai gathers an underground of trustworthy samurai clans within the royal army. As a general of the Shogun’s army, he is able to easily maneuver their faction around Akiyama’s movements. Together, Asai and Prince Akihito secretly prepare to overthrow the Shogun and return Japan under the rule of the imperial family.
Before they can implement their plans, China declares an embargo that will squeeze the peasants as well as the aristocracy. With rumors of a rebel faction in the capital, Shogun Akiyama remains in Edo and sends Prince Akihito in his place to negotiate with the Chinese diplomats. The prince's journey never comes to completion, however, as he’s ambushed at the coast by a rebel assassin.
Due to the sacrifice of his bodyguards, the prince escapes and hides in a trade ship that sails toward a coastal town in China, carrying the last batch of exported goods before the actual trade block can go into effect.
Three Chinese generals are stationed at this town.