Otosan Uchi Districts
The Otosan Uchi Districts were the sixteen districts of the Imperial City Otosan Uchi, bordered by two gigantic walls.
Toshisoto: Outer disctricts
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The areas outside the first and outermost wall were called Toshisoto and consisted of eleven districts (clockwise from Golden Sun Bay, direction as gauged from the Imperial Palace) [1] Usually named after their current governor, they also were given several nicknames by the city inhabitants adding major confusion. [2]
The Brutal Fame (Tsai) district
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The Tsai district was located in the southeastern part of Otosan Uchi. [3] It was merged with the Kosuga district after the Scorpion Coup. [4] The district was merged with the Kosuga district in the newly named Yatoshin district. [5] It was nicknamed the Brutal Flame district. [6]
Notable Buildings
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- Zankoku Hon’o, the Brutal Flame Tower.
Notable Governors
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The Emperor’s Road (Hidari) district
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A jewel of the outer districts, there was nothing in the Hidari district that would offend the Emperor. This area was truly a construct of the Crane Clan, containing sword polishers, an origami shop, high-end restaurants and geisha houses. This area was normally heavily patrolled by Crane bushi when there were no Imperial Magistrates to do so. There was always an air of resentment to non-Crane clans here. [7] It was nicknamed the Emperor’s Road district. [8]
Notable Buildings
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Notable Governors
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The Juramashi district
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The Juramashi district was a conglomerate of architecture and ideas. Upper Juramashi was largly residential and considered the more wealthy of the two. Lower Juramashi contained the lower caste housing, geisha and tea houses. Governors rarely lasted longer than one year in this area. [10]
Notable Buildings
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Notable Governors
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The Spiritual (Ochiyo district / Mojiki) district
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The Ochiyo district was the holy ground of the city. Seven temples dominated the district, with peaceful streets,lacking shops and its shouting heimins. A large population of Lion samurai chosen this district, patrolled it, and who practiced kenjutsu in the open field. [12] After the Coup it was renamed Mejiki district. [13] It was nicknamed the Spiritual district. [14]
Notable Buildings
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Notable Governors
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The Gilded Hill (Hayasu) district
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The Hayasu district was one of the most affluent residential sections, and the home of the elite, wealthy merchants and artisans. The most elabrate homes were situated on the steep hill in the center. The streets were safe due to the high number of patrols, many of which were privately hired. The farmland in this district produced a high yield. [16] It was nicknamed the Gilded Hill district. [17]
Notable Buildings
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- Sheltered Swords Neighborhood – Residential zone.
Notable Governors
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The Eta’s Island (Hinjaku) district
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The Hinjaku district was a rich and vibrant area which was maintained to give visitors a beautiful impression of the Forbidden City. This area was a mix of private homes, temples, and merchant shops. [18] After the Scorpion Coup the district absorbed the Hojize district, but the new district was known as “Hojize”. [19] It was nicknamed the Eta’s Island district. [20]
Notable Buildings
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- Ancestral Mausoleum – graves of notable heroes.
- Imperial Mausoleum – graves of the imperial families.
Notable Governors
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- Mirumoto Hinjaku, also governor of the Hojize district at the same time at the time of the Scorpion Coup. [18]
The Rich Crescent (Hojize) district
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The Hojize district was possibly the least respected district, containing ruins, eta homes, questionable temples, and a crematorium. [21] After the Coup it was merged with the Hinjaku district, but the new district retained the “Hojize” name. [19] It was nicknamed the Rich Crescent district. [22]
Notable Buildings
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Notable Governors
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- Mirumoto Hojize, who died shortly before the end of the Scorpion Coup. [23]
The Prison/Moon (Toyotomi district / Teketshin) district
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The Toyotomi district was always seen to be bustling. Once considered a filthy area, it was cleaned up by it’s governor at the time Shiba Toyotomi. After the Scorpion Coup it reverted slightly to it’s former degradation, but it still contained many artisan shops as well as high quality restaurants. [24] It was named Teketshin district after the Coup. [5] It was nicknamed the Prison/Moon district. [25]
Notable Buildings
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- Kyuden Kokai – Prison
- Life’s Love – Shintao Rock Garden
Notable Governors
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The Temari’s Ruin (Meiyoko district / Mamoru) district
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The Meiyoko district was largly run by the Shosuro family prior to the Scorpion Coup. After the coup the Yakuza obtained a firm grip. This area was once respected for its theatres, geisha, tea, and sake houses, and library. Much had been destroyed. [26] After the Coup the district was renamed Mamoru district, as usual after Yogo Mamoru was appointed as its governor. [11] It was nicknamed the Tenari’s Ruin district. [27]
Notable Buildings
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Notable Governors
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The North Dock (Higshikawa) district
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The Higshikawa district was governed named for Bayushi Higshikawa, and was governed by Shosuro Mukai until the Scorpion Coup, at which point Emperor’s wife Bayushi Kachiko assumed management of the district. The area was also unoffically run by the Yakuza, and contained many warehouses and pleasure houses for the merchant class. The River of the Sun would often flood this district once or twice a year. [28] It was nicknamed the North Dock district. [29]
Notable Buildings
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- Endless Journey – Agasha garden.
Notable Governors
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The South Dock (Kosuga district / Yatoshin) district
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Kosuga district was an amalgam of two sub-districts, Kosuga and Yatoshin district. [32] Most of Otosan Uchi’s port trade occurred in the Kosuga district, and the area was well-maintained and highly populated. Even at night, heimin could be seen carrying torches leading workers to their jobs, and the area was considered to be middle-classed. There was also a small ronin population. [33] The Kosuga was merged with the Tsai district after the Coup, and it was called by the name of the former sub-district Yatoshin district. [5] It was nicknamed the South Dock district. [34]
Notable Buildings
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- Yotsu Dojo – Ronin Dojo
Notable Governors
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Ekohikei: Inner districts
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Within the Enchanted Wall was the heart of Otosan Uchi, the Forbidden Palace district, and four other districts that surrounded the palace, called Ekohikei: [35]
Hito district
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Most notably located here was the Temple to the Kami, a shugenja site. Oddly enough, this area did not house the Phoenix embassy but instead, the Unicorn, western Lion, and Fox embassies. [36]
Notable Buildings
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Notable Governors
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Kanjo district
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The Kanjo district contained the southern gate and was the most traveled. Controlled primarily by the Lion Clan, it held the Lion, Phoenix, and Scorpion embassies. [38]
The Kanjo district became the home of Hantei XVI after his return to the mortal world through Oblivion’s Gate in 1133. [39]
Notable Buildings
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Notable Governors
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Chisei district
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The Chisei district was considered the most beautiful area inside the inner walls. The “Emperor’s Walk” cut straight between the Chisei and Kanjo districts and was the main road for both leading to the Forbidden City. The Crane and Minor Clan Embassies were located here, as well as the Temple to the Seven Fortunes. [41]
Notable Buildings
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Notable Governors
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Karada district
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The Karada district contained the Trading Grounds, largely Yasuki run although Tortoise were often seen here too. Also located in this area was the Crab embassy, the Imperial Museum of Antiquities, and the Forbidden City’s sewer system. The wall in this area was managed by the Kuni family. [43]
Notable Buildings
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- The Trading Grounds – Yasuki market
Notable Governors
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Forbidden City
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Finally, at the center of the city on top of Seppun Hill was the Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City district. It was the heart of the Empire, surrounded by a 70 ft high wall. Sites here included, the Imperial Palace, Otomo and Seppun guest homes, the Imperial Water Gardens, the Temple to Hantei, and the Miya Palace. The Emperor and many of his personal attendants resided there, and the Imperial Court frequently gathered in the palace to hold court. [45]
Walls and Defensive Structures
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Beneath Otosan Uchi
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Otosan Uchi was built in a location frequently plagued by earthquakes and typhoons. This had created a dynamic and shifting network of natural tunnels and cave systems beneath the entirety of the Imperial City. These natural formations were supplemented by manmade structures. Some of the major holdings and barracks in the city maintained siege supplies
in the tunnels below their locations. [47]
Otosan Uchi districts after the Coup
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After several modifications in the governors and shape of the districts this was the map of the Otosan Uchi districts around 1125.
References
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