Rokugan Local Governance:
A Typical Village
Villages could vary in size between less than one hundred people to over a thousand. It had very little layout or planning, and very rarely was walled, though the estate of a samurai household would be walled and in times of attack the villagers could gather behind the walls of the samurai's own house hold, if they did not flee.
Over 70% of Rokugan is given over to wilderness. Much of this wilderness has been untouched, such as the depths of the Shinomen Forest and Isawa Mori, or rocky hillsides unsuitable for farming. However, much of this wilderness are areas that have been farmed previously, but the villagers who lived there moved away or were killed due to a tragic event, a war, a drop in the fertility of the land, rumors of a curse or haunting, leadership under an unjust lord, or some other reason. These empty fields can be worked again, allowing villages to move or grow, or disappear depending on their circumstances.
Below is the layout of a traditional Samurai village. This beautiful map of the Japanese village of Iwaizumi in Japan was created by Michael Tumey.
Villages could vary in size between less than one hundred people to over a thousand. It had very little layout or planning, and very rarely was walled, though the estate of a samurai household would be walled and in times of attack the villagers could gather behind the walls of the samurai's own house hold, if they did not flee.
Over 70% of Rokugan is given over to wilderness. Much of this wilderness has been untouched, such as the depths of the Shinomen Forest and Isawa Mori, or rocky hillsides unsuitable for farming. However, much of this wilderness are areas that have been farmed previously, but the villagers who lived there moved away or were killed due to a tragic event, a war, a drop in the fertility of the land, rumors of a curse or haunting, leadership under an unjust lord, or some other reason. These empty fields can be worked again, allowing villages to move or grow, or disappear depending on their circumstances.
Below is the layout of a traditional Samurai village. This beautiful map of the Japanese village of Iwaizumi in Japan was created by Michael Tumey.
As the picture above shows, there are several areas of importance, and a few not mentioned.
Of course, as the village grows, more residents can make a living in the space, often working the rice fields in planting and harvest, but pursuing other trades such as being a merchant or artisans at other times of the year. If the village is large enough, some might be able to pursue this other profession all year round. Some of the craftsmen in a larger village might be:
- The Sonchou's Stronghold - Where the local Samurai Household resides.
- The Village Square - Where celebrations, gathering, and merchant stalls are set up.
- The Village Shrine - Often villages would show special veneration to one particular fortune or kami, but shrines to that fortune can be used to reverence all of them.
- The Rice Mill - Rice can be refined by hand winnowing, or by the use of a water wheel as shown here.
- Hinin Tannery - Those of the burakumin caste would not live in the village itself, but on the outskirts of town, where they could perform tasks such as preparing leather and handling cremations.
- Village inn and bathhouse - Providing a place for a cup of sake and cheer in the evenings and catering to travelers, the inn also allows the villagers to enjoy the luxury of a bath.
- Public toilets - Heimin houses do not have toilets. A few areas on the outside of town are designated for this purpose.
- The Shōya's House - The house of the village headman, larger than others in the village.
- The Rice Storehouses - Where the rice or goods intended for taxes is stored before it is taken by the tax collectors.
- Village Well - Villages not directly located on the water would have a spring or well, often in the center of the village square.
- Livestock Pens - Although meat was eaten rarely by samurai, pigs, chickens, and other animals are kept in limited numbers by heimin to be eaten.
Of course, as the village grows, more residents can make a living in the space, often working the rice fields in planting and harvest, but pursuing other trades such as being a merchant or artisans at other times of the year. If the village is large enough, some might be able to pursue this other profession all year round. Some of the craftsmen in a larger village might be:
- Blacksmith
- Potter
- Barrel-maker
- Basket-maker
- Bamboo Cutter
- Healer
- Scribe
- Noodle or Mochi-maker
- Teahouse or Geisha house owner
- Midwife - Note: A midwife is of the hinin caste, but this is a position of considerable status, like a geisha or other esteemed professional.
- Carpenter
- Merchant
