Lordship of Sakura

The Lordship of Sakura, also known as Sakura Province, is the most populous province of the Second Empire of Plagatèa, and is furthest North-west of the provinces, with a border to the Constitutional Republic of Alamayn and within Plagatéa to the provinces of Seivija and Sakurai Tempo. It is ruled by the Lady Shogun, Aisuru Numachi of Sakura, part of the ruling House Numachi, the largest noble family in Plagos. Its capital is the large city of Kitaichi, which is also the de-facto capital of the Second Empire of Plagatèa.

About
It is notable for its South-east Asian style of architecture, with towering castles, beautiful walled gardens, wide estates and small but pretty houses. It spans through a diverse range of biomes, ranging from towering cliffs and mountains to plains, swamp and desert. The Sakuran people are known for their peaceful and relaxed attitudes to life, finding beauty in peace and tranquillity. They dislike conflict in all its forms, though especially wars, and maintain that diplomacy is the proper and just way to solve external issues. As a consequence of this, senior Sakurans in government have historically been the diplomatic representatives of the various incarnations of Plagatèa, and Sakura itself does not maintain a standing military, instead making sure that all are equipped for battle in case of the last resort of fighting.

History
The Province of Sakura as it was known when it was established, was under the rule of Lord Tsuki Hoshasei. As the states of Plagos united under Nova Plagatéan Federation, the lands previously under the control of the Shigetada Shogunate were organized into the Province of Sakura. The then city of Ieon was established as the capital of the new nation, with the settlements and lands of Sakura City, Yamagake and Linwan being put under the rule of the province. Not long later though, Lord Tsuki would die in an encounter with Entropy Worshippers in Southern Plagos. At his death bed, he named his foster daughter, Aisuru Naho (later Aisuru Numachi) as the new Lord of the province, before shortly passing away.

On the 3rd of October, as a culmination over rising tensions with the extremely unpopular central government ruled by Tagavor Leon Olsen-Tanaka and Tagavor Revo, with the province’s growing nationalism and solely Sakuran identity. Sakura revolted alongside Seivija and Veldion and supported Princess Futo Naho’s claim to the throne, in what became known as the Plagatèan Provincial Revolt.

Do Not Awaken the Sakuran by Alexander W. Numachi
After the Coup of Asarakaen, Alexander W. Numachi wrote a poem widely-circulated in Sakura about the peaceful nature of Sakurans, but underlining their investment in their lands and fierce commitment to their own freedom and way of life, that they would defend to the hilt if necessary. The poem mentions why it would be a foolish move to awaken the Sakuran man from his peaceful ‘sleep’ and take them for granted because of what might happen afterwards. This was part of a growing Sakuran identity that grew in strength after the abdication of their Queen from the Asarakaeni throne, contributing toward a movement for greater Sakuran independence that sought for Sakura to be free from being ruled by a central government elsewhere, free to decide its own way and be free from the corrupted politicking and constant efforts for Plagosi unification. Veldion was held as a beacon of hope in this regard, with their vassal status instead of Lordship-hood with the Second Plagatèan Empire after the signing of the Treaty of Polskrige and subsequent joining of the Confederation of Plagos.



Do not awaken the Sakuran,

Who lies beneath the tree,

With the cherry blossom round him,

A peaceful sight to see.

His hands are swept with blisters,

And his back is tired from strain,

But if you dare awake him,

You’ll not see light again.

Your surroundings are his life’s work,

The houses that make homes,

On foundations his ancestors made,

Built on their very bones.

Do not awaken the Sakuran,

Who lies beneath the tree,

For water looks quite placid,

When you haven’t seen the sea.

The lakes are always peaceful,

And the mountain views endure,

But peace is not a definite,

When their lives are not ensured.

That which you stand on is his land,

And he desires you leave,

Best not to shake awake this one,

Unless you wish to grieve.

Do not awaken the Sakuran,

Who lies beneath the tree,

Only a foolish man awakes him,

One you shouldn’t want to be.

Ode to Sakura by Aisuru Numachi


Shigetada; Lords of the mountain

Jito; the desert dwellers

Tsuyoi; of the forgotten island

Numachi; where the last now dwell

In Sakura where the petals fly.

This short ode, written by Aisuru Numachi shortly before the Provincial Revolt, summarises the history of the clans in the land of Sakura. There is some guilt and sadness within it, as it remarked upon her and the Numachi’s place as the last of the clans.

House Numachi
House Numachi is the largest and most influential noble family in Plagos, with the head of the family ruling the province as Lord. The head of the family is currently Lady Shogun Aisuru Numachi of Sakura, and her husband Lieutenant Daimyo Techno Numachi. Their children hold various positions in government throughout the continent, though primarily concentrated in Sakura and the Plagatéan national government. During their time as the royal ruling family in the Realm of Asarakaen, the family was known by the more traditional royal titles of Queen, King, Prince and Princess.