I read a thread earlier this month about the development of Japan, and how it might have avoided complete Isolationism.
I couldn't find it again, and thought I would bring up my premise again.
The courts in Edo and Osaka were very distrustful of the European traders who were beginning to radically change the traditional ways of the Japanese.
Just curious what you folks would think about the Southern Islands of Kyushu, and Shikoku breaking away from the Emperor/Shogun under Spanish influence. In OTL, Christianity was somewhat better received here.
What if, the Northern Islands regretfully decided that they would have to keep up relations with the Dutch and later perhaps the English?
In the Early 1700's the Shogun, rather correctly, surmised that the early incursions by the European powers were just a precursor to further moves by the Strange Foreigners. While the Southern Islands were entranced by the Missionaries of Spain and Portugal, The Northern Islands much more appreciated the black and white desires of the Dutch to simply trade with them, on the best terms possible.
I'm not proposing a permanant split Japan, but perhaps a Japan that can't isolate itself. As one side or the other receives new technology, the other is forced to make keep up with the proverbial Jones. I would also propose that the split would eventually follow Catholic/Protestant lines. Catholics were somewhat more interested in saving souls and gathering loot, than creating new markets for thier goods. I will grant that this is just my opinion.
How might something like this play out? Might Japan later be unified, and at a much earlier date, project its power in Asia proper? I'm most entrigued by the influence of two exceptional ocean going powers expediting Japans advance from a coastal navy, into a powerful force that might completely change the current map of the Pacific and Asia.
I couldn't find it again, and thought I would bring up my premise again.
The courts in Edo and Osaka were very distrustful of the European traders who were beginning to radically change the traditional ways of the Japanese.
Just curious what you folks would think about the Southern Islands of Kyushu, and Shikoku breaking away from the Emperor/Shogun under Spanish influence. In OTL, Christianity was somewhat better received here.
What if, the Northern Islands regretfully decided that they would have to keep up relations with the Dutch and later perhaps the English?
In the Early 1700's the Shogun, rather correctly, surmised that the early incursions by the European powers were just a precursor to further moves by the Strange Foreigners. While the Southern Islands were entranced by the Missionaries of Spain and Portugal, The Northern Islands much more appreciated the black and white desires of the Dutch to simply trade with them, on the best terms possible.
I'm not proposing a permanant split Japan, but perhaps a Japan that can't isolate itself. As one side or the other receives new technology, the other is forced to make keep up with the proverbial Jones. I would also propose that the split would eventually follow Catholic/Protestant lines. Catholics were somewhat more interested in saving souls and gathering loot, than creating new markets for thier goods. I will grant that this is just my opinion.
How might something like this play out? Might Japan later be unified, and at a much earlier date, project its power in Asia proper? I'm most entrigued by the influence of two exceptional ocean going powers expediting Japans advance from a coastal navy, into a powerful force that might completely change the current map of the Pacific and Asia.
