Japanese

Template:Faction Japanese is a faction created by Hagekura. It is based on the Sengoku Period (Warring States Period) of Japan. It is the first of other factions that will be in an unnamed techtree by Hagekura.

History[edit]

Japanese was first announced on 25 October 2010. The latest version was released on 9 December 2011.

Public reception[edit]

The Japanese faction was well received by the Glest community, praised largely for its large techtree, uniqueness, and good quality models. Based on historical Japan, it was vividly popular and continues expansion with the recent release of a new techtree map. It has been considered being added into the Megapack, though no decisions were made and much work with balancing would be necessary before that could occur, as even a portion of the community is uncertain about whether the Japanese faction is genuinely balanced or not, it remains a topic of discussion. In addition to the exclamation that the Megapack was too large as it was.

Units[edit]

Unit	Description	Screenshot
Worker	Japanese:人足(Ninnsoku), 夫丸(Bumaru) Produced from: "Castle". Requirements: none. Basic worker unit. Harvests resources and constructs Japanese buildings. Also appears to be balding. Historical Background: These workers were employed or conscripted by lords to sustain heavy lifting such as transportations and constructions.
Peasant	Japanese:小作農(Kosakunô), 貧農(Hinnô = Poor farmer) Produced from: "farmhouse". Requirements: none. The Peasants are simple folk who provide the Japanese war machine with greatly needed food. In times of trouble, they can be quickly trained into Spear Ashigarus or Arquebusiers. Also in case of emergency, they can take up arms and stand and fight as Civil Ikki (morph into the Ikki mob requires "Civil Ikki" upgrade in the "Daimyo yashiki"). Historical Background: The vital part of Daimyos armies, Ashigarus were mostly conscripted from peasants ( others from brigands, criminals, sometimes degraded Samurais, Ronins. ). In Slack season of their farms, the peasants switch their hoes into spear, bow or gun, gained incomes from salary under military service and looting other lands.
Medical Priest	Japanese: 医僧(Isô) Produced from: "Buddhist Temple". Requirements: none. Medical Priests are monks who have medical knowledge. They can heal wounded units. Historical Background: These medical priests busied themselves with assisting wounded soldiers on the battlefield.
Catholic Missionary	Japanese:伴天連(Bateren = Padre), 宣教師(Senkyoshi) Produced from: "Seminario". Requirements: "Nanban_trade" upgrade. Japanese called catholic priests "Padre" in japanese accent "Bateren". They are elite advance parties of Catholics dispatched from the religious order "Societas Iesu (The Society of Jesus)". They were polymath, they also had newest knowledges about western medicine. can heal wounded units. This unit is currently not available. Historical Background: In 1549, Francisco de Xavier of Societas Iesu first brought Christianity in Japan. Since then, many Christian Missionaries were sent to japan from some orders and many churches and Seminaries were built under the protection of Christian converted Daimyos, and Daimyos who wanted wealth brought by the society and trade with european world, also the Latest military technologies brought by these men (such as gunpowders, cannons, Warships) appealed many daimyos who want to compete their rival daimyos. most notably of these men, Luís Fróis(1532 - 1597, portguese) who was engaged in missionary work in 畿内(Provinces near Kyoto), Center of japan under the protection of Daimyo 織田信長(Oda Nobunaga 1534 - 1582). Later Fróis wrote a record of his missionary work in japan, known as "Historia de Iapam", which is a valuable historical material of Sengoku period japan. Number of christian populace was incresed during their missionary work, but in 1612 Anti-Christian Edicts was issued from Tokugawa Shogunate, and expand of christianity in japan was diminished.
Ikki Mob	Japanese:民一揆(Tami Ikki), 土一揆(Tsuchi Ikki), 農民一揆(Nômin Ikki), 百姓一揆(Hyakushô Ikki) Morph from: "Peasant". Requirements: "Civil Ikki" upgrade. Peasant militias. You can morph peasants to this unit with no cost after you commenced "Civil Ikki" upgrade in Daimyo Yashiki. They gain fighting bonuses when they are near the farmhouses. Historical Background: The term "Ikki" is used for community united to obtain certain objective. the word is oftain translated as "Revolt" or "Putsch". The peasants in early~middle sengoku time were main supply for most Daimyos conscripted soldiers, Ashigarus. So in a sense, these peasants were half soldiers, half farmers. they owned arms such as katanas for themselves. and they often revolted against a tyranny. the peasants revolts called "百姓一揆 (Hyakushô Ikki)". The Daimyo 柴田勝家(Shibata Katsuie 1522 - 1583) executed a program called "刀狩り(katana gari, literally means sword hunt)" in 1577 to disarm civilians and prevent the revolts. Later Daimyo 豊臣秀吉(Toyotomi hideyoshi 1537 - 1598) did the same measure Shibata did, but more largely in 1588 and tried to disarm whole civilians in Japan.
Nagae Ashigaru (Spear Ashigaru)	Japanese:長柄足軽(Nagae Ashigaru), 槍足軽(Yari Ashigaru) Produced from: "Barrack". Requirements: none. The Ashigaru is Japan's standard melee soldier. Due to his pike, he is able to outrange other equivalent units, this gives him the ability to stab and slice from a distance.
Warrior Monk	Japanese:僧衆(Sôshû), 僧兵(Sôhei), 悪僧(Akusô) Produced from: "Buddhist Temple". Requirements: none. Warrior monks are medium-infantry unit armed with fearsome Naginata. They gain fighting bonuses when they are near the temples. Historical Background: Warrior monks are military groups belonged to Temples and Shrines. At the time of conflicts, the Temples and Shrines had large manor and wealth were threatened by Bandits and many other outside factions. so they had to have private armies to defend themselves. arming of the temples and shrines had propelled under the circumstances. The armies of temples and shrines became very powerful and sometimes conflicts between these armies and the rival temples and the Imperial court occured. The nature of the warrior monks were rude and arrogant. In Muromachi-period, the Shogun 足利義教(Ashikaga Yoshinori, 1394 - 1441) attacked the one of the biggest temple, 延暦寺(Enryaku-ji) on the 比叡山(Mount Hiei). Later Daimyo 織田信長(Oda Nobunaga, 1534 - 1582) attacked Enryaku-ji again and burned whole the mountain. The trend of arming temples and shrines had been continued until the Daimyo 豊臣秀吉(Toyotomi Hideyoshi 1537 - 1598) disarmed civilians.
Wakiyari(Samurai Retainer Spearman)	Japanese:脇槍(Wakiyari), 槍従者(Yari-jyuusha = Retainer Spearman) Produced from: "Dojo". Requirements: none. In Sengoku period, battle tactics of japan shifted to group tactic and Ashigarus and other low-rank soldiers fought in the mass, but core military force of the armies of that time, Samurais still counted on honor of individual fights. They fought individually, and they put their retainers by their right-side, to protect their weak side -When fight with spear, right-side of the Spearman become weak side- . The Samurai retainers were called "脇槍(Wakiyari = Side Spear)" or 又者（Matamono), 従者(Jyuusha = Retainer). This unit is currently not available.
Swordsman	Japanese:剣豪(Kengô), 剣士(Kenshi), 剣客(Kenkaku), 兵法者(Hyohoja) Produced from: "Dojo". Requirements: none. The Swordsman is the kind of man who's seen many wars and no longer minds getting his hands dirty when he needs to. He fights valiantly for his nation, often eviscerating his opponents with his trusty katana. Not many men can fight a veteran swordman and live to tell the tale.
Samurai	Japanese:侍(Samurai), 武士(Bushi), 武者(Musha) 徒歩槍(Kachi-yari = Samurai foot spearman) Produced from: "Dojo" Reuirements: "Bushido" upgrade. Hand trained by the Lord himself, the Samurai are his most trusted soldiers. They are the elite of the elite, the cream of the crop, and so on and so forth. When you absolutely need everything to die, you call on the Samurai.
Yumi musha(Samurai Archer)	Japanese:弓武者(Yumi-musha), 弓取り(yumitori), 徒歩弓(Kachi-yumi = Samurai foot archer) Produced from: "Dojo". Requirements: "Bushido" upgrade. This unit is currently not available.
Dai Teppo(Samurai Musketeer)	Japanese:大鉄砲(Dai teppô = Big Gun) Produced from: "Dojo". Requirements: "Bushido" and "Arquebus" upgrade. This unit is currently not available.
Uma Mawari(Guard Samurai of Daimyo)	Japanese:馬廻り(Uma-mawari),旗本(Hatamoto) Produced from: "Dojo". Requirements: "Bushido" upgrade. This unit is currently not available.
Samurai Taisho (Samurai General)	Japanese:侍大将(Samurai Daishô or Taisho) Produced from: "Dojo". Requirements: "Bushido" upgrade. This unit is currently not available.
Tsubute (Slinger)	Japanese:礫(Tsubute), 投石兵(Tôseki Hei = Stone Thrower) Produced from: "Barrack". Requirements: none. The tsubutes are very lightly armored infantry with slinging stuffs. They move swiftly and are best used for skirmish and harass enemies. Historical Background: Slinging stones is very easy and cheaper if compared with time and effort of making bows and arrows. also In actual battles, Archers had to lean out of shields and walls to shoot enemies so it's more dangerous, while Slinging can shoot enemies at any moment. Slinging was not as lethal as arrows, but it makes enemy injured and takes out enemy's fighting power. The term "投弾 Tôdan = sling" was defined in archaeology but there was traditional word from ancient times of japan which means stone throwing "つぶて Tsubute", in Kanji "飛礫" or "礫". The word was even found in "万葉集 manyôshû", the oldest existing collection of Japanese poetry, compiled in late 8th century. Furthermore, tsubute has many alternative words like "印地 Inji", "印池打ち Inji uchi", "石投げ Ishinage = Stone throwing", "石打ち Ishi uchi = Shooting stones", "投石 Tôseki = Throwing stone", "石戦 Ishi Ikusa = Stones War", "石合戦Ishi Gassen = Stones battle" from ancient times. The mighty army of Takeda clan led by lord 武田信玄(Takeda Shingen, 1521 - 1573)had the well disciplined "Stone throwing troops" in it's line. In the Battle of Mikatagahara(1572) where Takeda crashed 徳川家康(Tokugawa Ieyasu 1543 - 1616), The Stone throwing troops of Takeda consisted of 300 men of Ashigarus harassed lesser besieged army of Tokugawa, and led the anger Tokugawa army out of their castle and sober lord Takeda engaged them with his main force, and defeated Tokugawa's army utterly. Also in the 島原の乱(Shimabara no Ran, Christian peasants rebellion in Shimabara, 1638) of edo period, The army of Tokugawa Shogunate was inflicted many casualties by stone throwing from besieged Ikki-peasants in Hara Castle. In the battle, famous 剣聖(Kensei = Sword Saint) 宮本武蔵(Miyamoto Musashi, 1584 - 1645) also joined an army of Shogunate. but in midst of the battle, Musashi was hit by stone and his leg was injured. Ran of Shimabara was bitter siege fighting, in there, Musashi's highly trained sword fighting arts was useless. When hit by the stone, Musashi had some epiphany and after the battle, he never take sword, lived in retirement and wrote "五輪書 Go Rin No Sho = The Book of Five Rings".
Houroku Thrower	Japanese:焙烙火矢(Hōroku-hiya = Houroku Fire Arrow), 焙烙玉(Hōroku-dama = Houroku Ball), 投げ焙烙(Nage-Hōroku = Throwing Houroku) Morph from: "tsubute". Requirements: "Nanban_trade" upgrade. The Houroku Throwers throw powerful "Houroku-dama", an explosive shell kind of the modern grenade. very effective against thick enemy troops or buildings. This unit is currently not available. Historical Background: "焙烙火矢"(Hōroku-hiya = Hōroku Fire Arrow), also called "焙烙玉"(Hōroku-dama = Hōroku Ball) is an explosive shell which has copper case filled with gunpowders, attched blasting fuse, and the case was covered by papers, and lacquered.　They are almost within 200 milimeters in diameter and 10 kilograms weight. sometimes copper bullets or metal shrapnels were mixed in the shell to increase power to kill. Their common usage is, attach the long blasting fuse and place it in enemy territory, or simply throwing like modern grenades, or shoot by "木砲"(Moku-hō = Wooden Cannon). Later there was a development of Fireworks in Edo period(1603-1868), and the way of shooting Hourokudama by wooden cannons is the almost same as the way shooting Fireworks, In principle.　The Hourokudama was also used by "水軍"(Suigun = Navy, Pirates) to burn enemy ships.　The power of Houroku is explosion blasts and flame, and thundering noise of explosion. There is enough killing power near the center of the explosion and could burn ships by it's flames. and loud explosion noise made enemies wavering and fear. Houroku bomb was already used in Azuchi-momoyama period(1568-1600), according to the record of "信長記"(Shinchōki), but actual use of houroku bombs in battlefield was short period.　Later in peaceful Edo period, houroku bomb was only used by some gunnery schools.　Hourokudama attracted lots of attention again in the "大塩平八郎の乱"(Ōshio Heihachirō's Rebellion) in 1837. The rebels used many cannons and houroku bombs and turned the Osaka city into a sea of fire.
Yumi Ashigaru (Bow Ashigaru)	Japanese:弓足軽(Yumi Ashigaru), 射手の足軽(Ite no Ashigaru = Shooter Ashigaru) Produced from: "Barrack". Requirements: none. The archer is Japan's standard range infantry. His longbow provides great power to his shots, creating a rather cost effective unit.
Taketaba Archer (Archer with Bamboo Siege shield)	Japanese:車仕掛けの竹束付の弓(Kuruma jikake no taketaba tsuki no yumi) Morph from: "Yumi Ashigaru" Requirements: "Siege_engineering" upgrade. These archers with large bamboo shields have high resistance against enemy arrows and bullets. best used for counter enemy missile units and siege well protected enemy bases. Historical Background: Traditionally japanese archers used wooden shields in fieldbattle and siege warfare, but appearance of guns made those wooden shields ineffective. thus new counterplot for firearms was needed. 竹束(Taketaba = bamboo bundle) had been invented and used as the effective shield against bullets. Bundled bamboos could effectively protect archers from enemy bullets. The most used bamboo shields were stationary type, but mobile type of bamboo shields with wheels were also used. the mobile type bamboo shield was called 車仕掛けの竹束(Kuruma jikake no taketaba = Wheeled Taketaba).
Teppo Ashigaru (Gun Ashigaru)	japanese:鉄砲足軽(Teppô Ashigaru) Produced from: "Barrack". Requirements: "Arquebus" upgrade. The Japanese were rather smart, smart enough to know that gunpowder is far more powerful than arrows. But, to prevent such great power from entering into the hands of the enemy, gunpowder is only granted to leaders who have survived long enough to establish a nice foothold in enemy territory. This is the Arquebusier, a sturdy man who wields a very powerful firearm.
Taketaba Gunner (Gunner with Bamboo Siege shield)	Japanese:車仕掛けの竹束付の鉄砲(Kuruma jikake no taketaba tsuki no teppô) Morph from: "Teppo Ashigaru" Requirements: "Siege_engineering" upgrade, "Arquebus" upgrade. These Gunners with large bamboo shields have high resistance against enemy arrows and bullets. best used for counter enemy missile units and siege well protected enemy bases.
Standard Bearer	Japanese:旗手(Kishu), 旗持ち(Hatamochi), 旗指足軽(Hatasashi Ashigaru), のぼり旗(Nobori Hata) Produced from: "Barrack". Requirements:Building "Daimyo Yashiki". The standard bearers are honorable soldiers who run up battle banner which displays military might of the troops. The standard inspires nearby military units of the faction, and increase their attack strength. Historical Background: From the ancient times, flags were used at armed camps in japan. Since the middle of the Heian(794 to 1185/1192) period, Flags used in armed camps of Samurai clans. For example, the War flags were used to display alignment of 平(Taira clan).Thus, these flags are military flags, and number of the flags display the size of the troops. Since the Kamakura(1185–1333) period, the flags decorated with emblems of Samurai clans. The battle standards at that time were called "長旗 Naga-hata = Long Banner", consisted of long clothes, with a stick tied at the edge of the cloth, tied on a pole. When run up the banner and march, the banner flows in the winds, so the banner was also called "??? Nagare-bata = Floating Banner". Hard ones of bamboos were used for the poles of the banners. In the Muromachi(1336-1573) period, new type of the battle standard called "昇旗 Nobori-bata" which is bind the side of the banner to a pole with straps had been made. The standards were set up in front of the war camps, as the signs of the Samurai General's headquarter. So the standards are also called "大将旗 Taishô-hata = General's standard". The "風林火山 Furinkazan = Wind, Forest, Fire and Mountain" battle standard of Daimyo 武田信玄(Takeda Shingen, 1521 - 1573) is famous, which quoting chapter 7 of Sun Tzu's The Art of War: "Move as swift as a wind, stay as silent as forest, attack as fierce as fire, undefeatable defense like a mountain." In addition, The pole heights of the standards are usually about 3.6meters for 3meters flag. and 4 ~ 5 meters pole for 3.6meters flag.
Catholic Musketeer	Produced from: "Seminario". Requirements: none. This unit is currently not available.
Shinobi	Japanese:忍(Shinobi), 忍者(Ninja), 間者(Kanja), 乱破(Rappa), 素破(Suppa) Produced from: "Barrack". Requirements: "Daimyo Yashiki" building. The Shinobi is the epitome of stealth and sabotage, able to sneak into the enemy's base and wreak absolute havoc. These mercenaries are able to kill silently with a dagger, or they can throw a knife at the cost of cover. Another weapon in their arsenal is a bomb that is good against buildings, but these bombs take a while to manufacture, so it will take time before they can use another. Lastly, Shinobi are highly knowledgeable on the topic of stealth, so they are permantently cloaked and can detect other stealth units.
Odutsu (Japanese Cannon)	Japanese:大筒(ôdutsu) Produced from: "Gunsmith". Requirements: "Odutsu" upgrade. This unit is currently not available.
Cannon (Imported European Demi-culverin)	Japanese:加農砲(Kanôhô), 石火矢(Ishibiya) Produced from: "European Trader". Requirements: "Nanban Trade" upgrade and "Siege_engineering" upgarede.

Buildings[edit]

Building	Description	Screenshot
Buddhist Temple	Building requirements: Daimyo_yashiki. You can hire the units "MedicalPriest" and "Warrior monk" at this building. also you can commence "Eastern_Medicine" upgrade - which raises every units armor point +10 - in here. "Warrior Monk" units gain fighting bonuses when they are near this building.
Castle	Building requirements: none. Japanese main building. produces worker.
Barrack	Building requirements: none. You can hire lower-rank soldiers such as ashigarus at this building. The "Training field" upgrade increses units production speed of the barracks, and allow ashigarus hold position.
Blacksmith	Building requirements: none. You can commence units armor and attack strength upgrades at this building.
Dojo	Building requirements: Daimyo yashiki. You can hire high-rank soldiers such as swordsmen and samurais at this building.
European Trader	Building requirements: "Nanban_trade" upgrade. In here you can purchase powerful european cannons. also you can commence "Anatomische_Tabellen" upgrade - which raises every units armor point +15 - in here.
Daimyo Yashiki	Building requirements: none You can commence multiple upgrades which benefits faction's strength at this building. also some buildings (Dojo, Buddhist Temple) and units (Standard Bearer) requires this building before build.
Farmhouse	Building reuirements: none Produces foods and peasants. "Ikki Mob" gain fighting bonuses when they are near this building.
Watchtower	Building requirements: none A simple sentry building. Releatively fragile against enemy attacks. Attacks enemy within range with arrows. Once you have "Arquebus" upgrade, you can upgrade this building with more powerful gun attacks.
Yagura	Building requirements: advanced_architecture Strong defensive building. Attacks enemey within range with arrows. Once you have "Arquebus" upgrade, you can upgrade this building with more powerful gun attacks.

GAE version[edit]

Originally, there were plans for a GAE port, but those have since been shelved. An unofficial port was created by Kiko and can be downloaded here as a small secondary mod file.