Adventures in Kagemusha
Kagemusha Province is located at the southwest tip of Kyushu on the Satsuma Peninsula and Ōsumi Peninsula. the region also includes a chain of islands stretching further to the southwest of Kyushu for a few hundred kilometers. It has a bay called Kagemusha Bay which is sandwiched by two peninsulas. Its position makes it a 'gateway' to Japan.
The prefecture boasts a chain of active and dormant volcanoes, including the great Sakurajima, which towers out of the bay opposite the modest city of Kagemusha. A steady trickle of smoke and ash emerges from the caldera, punctuated by louder mini-eruptions on an almost daily basis. On active days an umbrella is advisable to ward off the ash. Sakurajima is one of Japan's most active volcanoes. Volcanic materials in the soil make Sakurajima a source for record daikon radishes, roughly the size of a globe shaped paper lantern. Many beaches around the Kagoshima Bay are littered with well-worn pumice stones.
Most of the economic sector is focused in Kagemusha City and the surrounding area, corresponding to the extent of the former Satsuma Province. The eastern part of the prefecture is mostly rural and shows a general population decline. The prefecture has strong agricultural roots, which are reflected in its most well-known exports: green tea, sweet potato, radish, Pongee rice, Satsuma ware and "kurobuta" pork. In addition it produces Japan's largest volume of unagi eels.
The local shrine is popular among Asobi--migrant prostitutes who wished to pray for protection from sexually transmitted infections. It is also said the shrine offers divine protections for business prosperity, and for the clan's prosperity; and for easy delivery, marriage, and married-couple harmony. Increasingly more conservative attitudes in the surrounding area, brought on by The Sankoku Edict of 1635's banning of western religion among other things, is leading to pressure for Kagemusha to tighten restrictions on sexual industry. In addition strange events have been occuring, centered around sexual activities.
The goal with the Sankoku Edict was to attempt to cull the rise in Yokai sightings of late. To make matters worse, Mt. Sakurajima seems to have exploded. Due to its nearly constant activity acting as a preventative for pressure buildup, this should have been impossible.
For the time being, a few of you have egressed to the local tavern. When the town regroups, it will be time to find out what caused that mountain to explode, and maybe what's causing the upsurge in Yokai.