Rokugan Local Governance:
Moving Up: Village to Town to City
Once villages reach a certain size and level of prosperity, they can become a town, and, eventually, a city.
From Hamlet to Village to Town
Because heimin are free to move across Clan lands, a small village that is managed well will attract other heimin, while a village that is managed poorly will lose them. The well-managed village, manned by greater numbers, can be more productive, attracting craftsmen who can also trade with the villagers, setting up shop, and again increasing the village's productivity. The samurai family in charge of such growing villages themselves grow wealthier, and gain the recognition of their daimyo. They may even welcome the aid of additional samurai families who can serve as village yoriki, book keepers, and negotiators for the village. Eventually that village, and possibly even the samurai family leading it, will be recognized as a valuable resource for the clan.
Growing in Power: From Village Samurai to Valued Retainer
The feudal contract underpins all of Rokugani society. This contract is based in the belief that, if a samurai does great service for their lord, their efforts will be rewarded, not only for themselves but for subsequent generations.
Samurai that are recognized for their good service, either through a deed, special insight, being a great warrior, or being a capable administrator, maybe deemed too valuable to spend on just overseeing a minor plot of land. The lord will then call the samurai into direct service. In so doing, the daimyo will, by honor, be obliged to recompense that samurai at least the value of the koku he would have made overseeing his original village, including support for his family and provision for a number of servants appropriate to his position. If the village samurai is being brought into a valuable position, they are expected to be able to meet a similar standard of living as the other retainers of the daimyo in the same role. A lord that is pleased with his retainer will ensure that he is able to meet that standard. This serves to prevent dissatisfaction and anger, and demonstrates to outsiders how well the lord treats his trusted retainers.
There is the expectation that the heirs of such a valued retainer would find similar employment, or at least be granted a position equal to their parent's if they return to village life. Therefore, most village samurai would be eager for the chance to seek out such positions.
Once a village samurai has become such a valued retainer, it is natural that they should move to be near their daimyo or place where he is deemed needed. Therefore, village samurai move towards hubs of commerce, war, and diplomacy as they increase in rank. They would leave their traditional villages in the care of younger siblings or those selected by the daimyo. This causes the samurai population, and therefore the value, of these centers to grow larger, and become worth defending.
The Growth of Cities
Heimin, too, are attracted to these hubs of commerce, war, and diplomacy, and they will move there of their own volition. This happens especially during times of war, for such centers are defended vigorously while smaller settlements are not. The daimyo may even deem such locations worthy of a wall or fortifications to protect these areas, making them full-blown cities. The clan will heartily defend a city where the estates of the kuge located, or where valuable retainers live, historic or holy places, or simply where the area is so productive in terms of commerce and wealth that the clan cannot afford to lose it. Sometimes, a family newly elevated to the kuge may be granted the right to build a castle in the emerging city, taking it under their service and protection.
Replacing the Samurai Family
Once a village has grown into a full city of the clan, its power serves the Clan Champion. However, it is to the clan's benefit that the city continue to be managed well and grow, not divided between the children of a single samurai family, or fall to the foibles of a weak heir. Therefore, the Clan Champion will appoint a governor for the city from his most trusted and capable retainers, who can rule the city in the Champion's stead. The governor is responsible for the collection of taxes and the safety of the inhabitants of his city, bringing more samurai to serve as magistrates and soldiers. New governors are selected at need when the Clan Champion sees fit...as an honor, as a challenge, and even simply to occupy the time of a troublesome rival.
The Layout of the City
Some cities grow organically from their village roots, while others are carefully planned.
From Hamlet to Village to Town
Because heimin are free to move across Clan lands, a small village that is managed well will attract other heimin, while a village that is managed poorly will lose them. The well-managed village, manned by greater numbers, can be more productive, attracting craftsmen who can also trade with the villagers, setting up shop, and again increasing the village's productivity. The samurai family in charge of such growing villages themselves grow wealthier, and gain the recognition of their daimyo. They may even welcome the aid of additional samurai families who can serve as village yoriki, book keepers, and negotiators for the village. Eventually that village, and possibly even the samurai family leading it, will be recognized as a valuable resource for the clan.
Growing in Power: From Village Samurai to Valued Retainer
The feudal contract underpins all of Rokugani society. This contract is based in the belief that, if a samurai does great service for their lord, their efforts will be rewarded, not only for themselves but for subsequent generations.
Samurai that are recognized for their good service, either through a deed, special insight, being a great warrior, or being a capable administrator, maybe deemed too valuable to spend on just overseeing a minor plot of land. The lord will then call the samurai into direct service. In so doing, the daimyo will, by honor, be obliged to recompense that samurai at least the value of the koku he would have made overseeing his original village, including support for his family and provision for a number of servants appropriate to his position. If the village samurai is being brought into a valuable position, they are expected to be able to meet a similar standard of living as the other retainers of the daimyo in the same role. A lord that is pleased with his retainer will ensure that he is able to meet that standard. This serves to prevent dissatisfaction and anger, and demonstrates to outsiders how well the lord treats his trusted retainers.
There is the expectation that the heirs of such a valued retainer would find similar employment, or at least be granted a position equal to their parent's if they return to village life. Therefore, most village samurai would be eager for the chance to seek out such positions.
Once a village samurai has become such a valued retainer, it is natural that they should move to be near their daimyo or place where he is deemed needed. Therefore, village samurai move towards hubs of commerce, war, and diplomacy as they increase in rank. They would leave their traditional villages in the care of younger siblings or those selected by the daimyo. This causes the samurai population, and therefore the value, of these centers to grow larger, and become worth defending.
The Growth of Cities
Heimin, too, are attracted to these hubs of commerce, war, and diplomacy, and they will move there of their own volition. This happens especially during times of war, for such centers are defended vigorously while smaller settlements are not. The daimyo may even deem such locations worthy of a wall or fortifications to protect these areas, making them full-blown cities. The clan will heartily defend a city where the estates of the kuge located, or where valuable retainers live, historic or holy places, or simply where the area is so productive in terms of commerce and wealth that the clan cannot afford to lose it. Sometimes, a family newly elevated to the kuge may be granted the right to build a castle in the emerging city, taking it under their service and protection.
Replacing the Samurai Family
Once a village has grown into a full city of the clan, its power serves the Clan Champion. However, it is to the clan's benefit that the city continue to be managed well and grow, not divided between the children of a single samurai family, or fall to the foibles of a weak heir. Therefore, the Clan Champion will appoint a governor for the city from his most trusted and capable retainers, who can rule the city in the Champion's stead. The governor is responsible for the collection of taxes and the safety of the inhabitants of his city, bringing more samurai to serve as magistrates and soldiers. New governors are selected at need when the Clan Champion sees fit...as an honor, as a challenge, and even simply to occupy the time of a troublesome rival.
The Layout of the City
Some cities grow organically from their village roots, while others are carefully planned.
