Age of Steam and Steel: Gameplay Thread

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Edicts of the Tokugawa Shogunate

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Tenpō 6

Edict on Western Trade & Movement
In addition to their previously-permitted categories of trade work, French merchants in Dejima shall be permitted to trade without limit in the following categories:
1. Books, both French originals and Japanese translations, as well as other imported literature, save literature on Christianity and literature critical of the Shogunate. The shogunate will personally sponsor the translation and publication of seminal works of Western science, such as the works of Descartes, Bacon, Copernicus, Kepler, and others.
2. Medical equipment, including instruments and medicines, as well as medical equipment like spectacles.
3. Scientific equipment, such as globes, maps, clocks, survey equipment, seeds, telescopes, microscopes, electrical equipment and other equipment necessary for the study of astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, biology, geography, and the other sciences.

In addition to the traders permitted to reside in their designated zone in Nagasaki, any Westerner who can demonstrate his training and education as a physician and surgeon shall be permitted to enter Japan to practice his craft. Western scientists who wish to engage in scientific research alongside Japanese scientists shall be permitted on a case-by-case basis, with consideration for security and tranquility. The total number of Westerners allowed to enter through this program shall number no more than 2,000 at any time. We do remind any potential immigrants that the penalties for both the proselytization of Christianity and the import and sale of opium is a most excruciating death.

Edict on Education and Foreign Travel
The prior edict prohibiting the travel of Japanese ships for foreign countries and prohibiting the travel of Japanese abroad, and proscribing the death penalty for those who do so in secret, and for those who return from overseas after residing there, shall not apply to students who travel abroad to enroll in Western institutions of higher education. The Shogunate will sponsor the travel of several students each year to attend the French École Navale,

Two domestic institutes of higher education shall be established: a school in Edo for the study of the Western sciences, and (with the cooperation of the French government and its scholars) a naval training institute in Nagasaki.

Edict on the Business of Shipbuilding
The law prohibiting the construction of ocean-capable vessels of 90 tons or above, proclaimed by the Shogunate in 1635, is hereby repealed in its entirety.

Edict on the Definition of the Realm
The domain of the Tokugawa Shogunate includes the islands of Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku, Karafuto, Awaji, Shikoku, Oki, Iki, Tshshima, Sado, and Ezo; the Nanpo islands, including the Izu islands, Ogasawara islands, and Volcano islands; the Chishima islands, including Kunarshiri island, Oyakoba island, and all between; and all barrier islands, islets, banks, reefs, keys, atolls, archipelagos, rocks, and shoals, as may reasonably be considered part of the waters of the aforementioned islands.

Edict on Independence
The Ryukyu Kingdom and the Kingdom of Hawai’i are under the personal protection of the Shogunate. Hostile action taken against these realms shall be considered an affront to the Shogunate and shall incur a proportionate response.

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Treaty of Tsushima

The countries of Joseon and Nihon reaffirm our commitment to amity and friendship.

Japanese merchants, traders, and others engaged in commerce will be permitted direct access to the port of Yeongjing-do in Incheon harbor, as well as the port of Donghae.

Joseon merchants, traders, and others engaged in commerce will be permitted direct access to the port near Nagoya-juku, as well as the port of Noshiro.

To this end, we agree that the waters between our two realms that are beyond the sight of either of our shores shall be open to fishermen of both our realms in equal measure.

In the event of storms or other dangers, our fishermen shall be able to seek shelter and succor in the harbors of either of our realms.

Our navies shall cooperate in the suppression of pirates and foreign interlopers in our shared sea.

xShogun Tokugawa Ienari

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Edicts of the Tokugawa Shogunate

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Tenpō 7

Edict on the Freedom of Religion
1. Although no Kirishitan has been executed since 1805, in a show of good will from the Shogunate,  the faith and practice of the Kirishitan religion (excluding the proselytization of the same) shall officially no longer be a capital crime. The practice of e-fumi shall be accordingly abolished. Foreigners remain totally prohibited from interfering with Japanese religion, with all accompanying penalties remaining in effect.
2. Foreigners will be permitted to practice their religions and establish houses of worship in such ports as are assigned by treaty.
3. We remember the Shimabara rebellion of 1638. Should these freedoms lead to unrest, or be exploited by Western powers to undermine the shogunate, we retain the authority to revoke this edict.

Edict on the Succession
Some have expressed concern regarding reform to our government. We have engaged in foreign wars, strange new texts flood our shores; have I turned my back on our tradition? In truth, I seek only to change what we must to survive — the only way to preserve that which we value is to embrace the changes necessary for our independence. The eastward advance of Western power has continued unabated: we have seen the conquest of Bantam, the foreign corruption of the Qing, and — most recently, and most alarmingly — the annexation of Formosa and Hainan by the Dutch. Without our knowledge of certain Western traditions, their advancements in military science, their ships and troops would surely overrun our nation and seize our wealth. But our embrace of what we need to survive does not mean I have any reason to abandon our customs. Therefore:
1. Tokugawa Ieyoshi, my eldest surviving son, shall succeed me as Shogun when the time comes, some time following the current war.

Edict on Ryukyu
1. The Tokugawa Shogunate is the suzerain of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
2. The Shogunate is the protector of the people of Ryukyu.
3. Relations between the two realms shall be conducted through the Home Ministry rather than the Foreign Ministry.