Japanese History At a Glance

Japan, starting from the latter half of the first millenium, became a united country with a centralized government under the rule of its emperors. However, the passing centuries saw the slow diffusion of central power to the hands of the daimyos - the local lords. Soon, all the effective power was in their hands, and they ruled their respective domains through the samurai. Several times the Emperor was 'persuaded' to appoint a Shogun who would rule in his place. The title of Shogun was hereditary, and thus the rulerships were called shogunates; the last being the Muromachi one which lasted (effectively) from 1338-1477, though it didn't officially end until the latter half of the 16th century.

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Funky Art!

Samurai are most like the knights of Europe - minor nobles who owe allegiance to a higher noble, who in turn bows before the king. However, like in feudal Europe, a samurai was often more closely tied to the local lord more than a distant and weak emperor. Thus in practice, Japan was essentially a series of smaller states that simply had a common identity rather than government. While in Europe the kings succeeded in subduing their independent and often rebellious barons and dukes, in Japan the Emperor stayed out of the running so it was up to the daimyos to establish a pecking order.

Shogun

The concept of a unified Japan with one ruler was a very tempting idea. As Charlemagne attempted to form an empire in the image of the Romans who set the example, the daimyos tried to reunite Japan. Of course, each daimyo envisioned himself as the sole ruler - the Shogun - of Japan. Historically, there were several of these Shogunates, each collapsing after a few centuries. The game picks up soon after the fall of the Muromachi. While Tokugawa Ieyasu succeeded in the end, you are given the chance to change history and become Shogun yourself.

One of my MANY battle starts

Initial layout of my forces

To do that you will not only be required to command your troops well on the field of battle, but to manage your estates and holdings. No degree of battlefield skill can help you if you've been a bad strategist and found yourself outnumbered and using the wrong troops. Conversely, having a bigger, better army doesn't mean success if you don't know how to lead your men. Having your cavalry charge a wall of pikemen is a sure disaster.