#159 (1681-1682)
It was in the year 1681, that a Japanese exploratory fleet led by the famed explorer Im Gyeong-won, would finish circumnavigating the land now known as Nambu Daelyug in the east and Australia to some in the west.
Im Gyeong-won was just one of many Koreans who had climbed the ranks of the Japanese army. It is worth remembering that the Admiral of all of Japans navy was Korean too. To help explain this phenomenon, we need to remember that despite being very close to Japan and allowing Japanese citizens free passage throughout the country, it was still a closed Kingdom to many. The ruling class of Korea were heavily split on foreign policy. There were those who hated the idea of foreign influence and new ideas coming in, then there were those who wanted Korea to copy Japan and become open to all. That is a very simplistic way to explain it however as many had their own interests at heart. The opening of Korea, allowed many new ideas to enter Korean society. The most popular one being the notion that even the lowest dregs of society could rise to the top. For a kingdom that still had a caste system this was very dangerous. It gave way to a number of Koreans seeking new opportunities in the trade ports most frequented by the Japanese. Due to a number of factors, many Japanese ships would hire Koreans and all too often, the Koreans proved themselves to be just as capable as their Japanese equivalents. However, not all Koreans who climbed the Japanese ladder were peasants. Many noblemen also found glory with the Japanese. Im Gyeong-won was just one of them. He would become one the most famous explorers in Japanese history as he discovered many new lands, established relations with many distant kingdoms and even chased away several French and Danish fleets.
His first taste of battle was off the west coast of Australia where he was assaulted by three Danish ships in what looked to be an unprovoked attack. After he was victorious, he discovered a Danish colony and expelled the entire community when they refused to be loyal to Japan. Instead they would be allowed to gather their things and sail away. Altogether there 102 colonists and they would end up living in Thonburi. Afterwards the entirety of the continent would be claimed for Japan and Im would return to Japan in glory with stories of adventure, maps and artifacts from the many tribes inhabiting the continent. Soon after he would set sail again to discover more land for his employers.
***
Due to the chaos caused by the death of Azai Nobumasa, the Ikezawa company was free to do whatever it wished. After witnessing the fleeing of his heir and realizing how unpopular the new ruler was, they used the cover to set up their own operations in Africa. Primarily they wished to take advantage of the slave trade and use conflict between the French and Danish in the region to sneak in and become the top dog. Previously Nobumasa had always forbidden them to set up operatiosn in Africa for the slave trade as it was forbidden by him. Although he did allow the company to raid European ships which were complicit in the slave trade.
Finally in 1681, they would use invade the island of Zanzibar and use it as a base of operations in the area. Using a combination of Indian and Chinese mercenaries commanded by company member Ikezawa Yusuke. After the initial attack, he would be named governor of the island and from there the company would have a free base for its operations.
***
As the new Japanese civil war geared up, Azai Hideyasu reluctantly found himself a the leader of the opposition. Backed by the Chosokabe and Sanada clans, as well as the Ikezawa company and many in the government, the odds were heavily stacked in his favour. The civil war would be limited to small skirmishes for all of 1681 and it would escalate in the following year.
Japans tributaries were wary of the events and watched closely while refusing to take a side. Instead most took a neutral approach and simply paid their tribute to the Kingdom of Japan without mentioning any names or mentioning any war that might be happening. They were well aware that backing the wrong side could result in them losing their head. Only the Sultan of Brunei; Azai Muhammed would openly back the current Shogun as he considered him to be family and was even the only foreign power to get involved in the famed sibling war.
By 1682, the civil war would see its first major battle near the bay of Tottori where opposing sides of the Japanese navy clashed. Backing the Shogun was the Japanese Yamada Takayuki and opposing him was the Korean admiral Park Mu-young. It was a tense battle which involved over twenty ships and all but three would sink. It would prove to be a costly battle as five Terumasa ships were sunk that day. Park Mu-young was successful, although he had not planned to get involved in the war. He would then purge the navy of all those who didn't support him and use the rest of his ships to help Azai Hideyasu become Shogun.
On land, there would be another battle just outside of Kyoto. The Shogun would be personally leading this battle with a 100000 strong army and the Chosokabe/Sanada coalition would only have a mere 50000 strong army. These would mostly consist of new recruits. With help from new Army Of Justice commander Li Naoyasu, he was confident of his victory. However, Li Naoyasu would betray his Shogun halfway through the battle and the ensuing choas would cause the Shogun to retreat to Odani. It is unknown why Li changed sides during the battle, Sanada sources claim that Li planned to defect the entire time, although other sources say that he simply had a change of heart. Either way, there would be another battle at Odani as both forces would battle to control the city.
It was in the year 1681, that a Japanese exploratory fleet led by the famed explorer Im Gyeong-won, would finish circumnavigating the land now known as Nambu Daelyug in the east and Australia to some in the west.
Im Gyeong-won was just one of many Koreans who had climbed the ranks of the Japanese army. It is worth remembering that the Admiral of all of Japans navy was Korean too. To help explain this phenomenon, we need to remember that despite being very close to Japan and allowing Japanese citizens free passage throughout the country, it was still a closed Kingdom to many. The ruling class of Korea were heavily split on foreign policy. There were those who hated the idea of foreign influence and new ideas coming in, then there were those who wanted Korea to copy Japan and become open to all. That is a very simplistic way to explain it however as many had their own interests at heart. The opening of Korea, allowed many new ideas to enter Korean society. The most popular one being the notion that even the lowest dregs of society could rise to the top. For a kingdom that still had a caste system this was very dangerous. It gave way to a number of Koreans seeking new opportunities in the trade ports most frequented by the Japanese. Due to a number of factors, many Japanese ships would hire Koreans and all too often, the Koreans proved themselves to be just as capable as their Japanese equivalents. However, not all Koreans who climbed the Japanese ladder were peasants. Many noblemen also found glory with the Japanese. Im Gyeong-won was just one of them. He would become one the most famous explorers in Japanese history as he discovered many new lands, established relations with many distant kingdoms and even chased away several French and Danish fleets.
His first taste of battle was off the west coast of Australia where he was assaulted by three Danish ships in what looked to be an unprovoked attack. After he was victorious, he discovered a Danish colony and expelled the entire community when they refused to be loyal to Japan. Instead they would be allowed to gather their things and sail away. Altogether there 102 colonists and they would end up living in Thonburi. Afterwards the entirety of the continent would be claimed for Japan and Im would return to Japan in glory with stories of adventure, maps and artifacts from the many tribes inhabiting the continent. Soon after he would set sail again to discover more land for his employers.
***
Due to the chaos caused by the death of Azai Nobumasa, the Ikezawa company was free to do whatever it wished. After witnessing the fleeing of his heir and realizing how unpopular the new ruler was, they used the cover to set up their own operations in Africa. Primarily they wished to take advantage of the slave trade and use conflict between the French and Danish in the region to sneak in and become the top dog. Previously Nobumasa had always forbidden them to set up operatiosn in Africa for the slave trade as it was forbidden by him. Although he did allow the company to raid European ships which were complicit in the slave trade.
Finally in 1681, they would use invade the island of Zanzibar and use it as a base of operations in the area. Using a combination of Indian and Chinese mercenaries commanded by company member Ikezawa Yusuke. After the initial attack, he would be named governor of the island and from there the company would have a free base for its operations.
***
As the new Japanese civil war geared up, Azai Hideyasu reluctantly found himself a the leader of the opposition. Backed by the Chosokabe and Sanada clans, as well as the Ikezawa company and many in the government, the odds were heavily stacked in his favour. The civil war would be limited to small skirmishes for all of 1681 and it would escalate in the following year.
Japans tributaries were wary of the events and watched closely while refusing to take a side. Instead most took a neutral approach and simply paid their tribute to the Kingdom of Japan without mentioning any names or mentioning any war that might be happening. They were well aware that backing the wrong side could result in them losing their head. Only the Sultan of Brunei; Azai Muhammed would openly back the current Shogun as he considered him to be family and was even the only foreign power to get involved in the famed sibling war.
By 1682, the civil war would see its first major battle near the bay of Tottori where opposing sides of the Japanese navy clashed. Backing the Shogun was the Japanese Yamada Takayuki and opposing him was the Korean admiral Park Mu-young. It was a tense battle which involved over twenty ships and all but three would sink. It would prove to be a costly battle as five Terumasa ships were sunk that day. Park Mu-young was successful, although he had not planned to get involved in the war. He would then purge the navy of all those who didn't support him and use the rest of his ships to help Azai Hideyasu become Shogun.
On land, there would be another battle just outside of Kyoto. The Shogun would be personally leading this battle with a 100000 strong army and the Chosokabe/Sanada coalition would only have a mere 50000 strong army. These would mostly consist of new recruits. With help from new Army Of Justice commander Li Naoyasu, he was confident of his victory. However, Li Naoyasu would betray his Shogun halfway through the battle and the ensuing choas would cause the Shogun to retreat to Odani. It is unknown why Li changed sides during the battle, Sanada sources claim that Li planned to defect the entire time, although other sources say that he simply had a change of heart. Either way, there would be another battle at Odani as both forces would battle to control the city.