[ ooc; ] application
Basic Info
Name: Yuko
LJ: spandaex
E-Mail: fleur_de_cerise@yahoo.com
IM: {AIM} autophaging {YIM} fleur_de_cerise
Character Name: Japan // Honda Kiku
Series: Axis Powers Hetalia
Timeline: Present Day (2009)
Canon Resource Link: Wiki Japan link and Simple Character Intro. (Japan is the 3rd one)
History
So, about two thousand and some hundred years ago, two divine beings by the name of “Izanami” and “Izanagi” mated and the babies they had were the islands of Japan. Or at least, that was what the mythological “birth” of Japan says. Later on the Izanami died, and Izanagi went to go look for her in the land of dead, but she was rotting away and Izanagi ran away from fear. To purify himself he washed himself under a waterfall, and from the places he washed, came deities. One famous one was the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu. According to the legendary first emperor of Japan, Emperor Jimmu, he was the descendant of her, using that reason to establish the throne in 660 BC, which should be considered the “real” birth of the country Japan.
However, written evidence of Japan existing didn’t exist until 1st century AD from a book called Twenty-Four Histories made by China. Although, there are evidences of Japanese existing since the Upper Paleolithic period, we won’t be too concerned with that since nothing really happened then except pottery. Let’s skip off to…about year 538, which most people call the Asuka Period.
Asuka Period (538 ~ 710)
This is when Japan starts being called “Nihon” instead of “Wa” as China called it. It was also the time when Japan sent a letter to China calling Japan as “The Land of the Rising Sun” and China as “Land if the Setting Sun”, which indicated Japan considered itself the same level as China. Obviously China was offended, and the political ties between the two countries fell, but cultural ties were kept strong. In Hetalia, this was apparently when Japan was found by China and the two seemed to be around each other as Japan grew, with China as an “older brother” (even though Japan denied it).
Fast forward to the Heian Period.
Heian Period (794 ~ 1185)
The Heian Period was considered the peak of the imperial court and arts flourished. However, it was also the time when the military class began to rise. High class aristocrats employed personal body guards and made armies, which we call “Samurai”. Being a samurai to one aristocrat family soon became a family thing, and powerful military family began to appear who had connections to the imperial court and such.
Sengoku Period (Middle 15th Century ~ Beginning 17th Century)
As the power of the military class rose, they increased their influence, and had become the practical leader in power of Japan, instead of the emperor. However, because the leadership in Japan could be obtained by defeating the army of the present-strongest, open warfare within the country broke out. This era was filled with political upheavals and constant military conflict, that could be compared with the “Dark Ages” of Europe.
The three daimyos (territorial lords) that put an end to this period was Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu. The three were major contributes to the unification of Japan and Ieyasu later established the last form of military government called the Tokugawa Shogunate. (What did Nobunaga and Hideyoshi do? Um, well Hideyoshi tried to conquer Korea BUT SORRY KOREA NOT NOW)
And then…CAME THE EUROPEANS.
Nanban Trade (1543 ~ 1641)
The first Europeans that came to Japan was Portuguese, and although they didn’t find Europeans interesting at first, soon Japan (being Japan) began adopting European technologies and culture. Japan welcomed the trade and Europeans had a good image of Japan’s metalwork and craftsmanship. Japan’s capital moved over to Edo/Tokyo. All seemed well until Christianity came.
Sakoku (Seclusion) ( 1641~1853)
“AHHHH THEY ARE INVADING MY VITAL REGIONS IN THE NAME OF JESUS” and just like that, Japan decided to cut off ties with foreign countries except the Dutch and Chinese, whom they continued trade with, although using only one port at Nagasaki and went into hikikomori seclusion. Nobody could enter or leave the country unless you wanted the death penalty.
Of course, Japan’s peace days of clamming up in his house was broken by one and only, Matthew Perry @ America.
Kaikoku (Re-Opening) (1853)
“THE BLACK SHIPS HAVE COME!”
Yes, America had come to Japan forcing ’kindly’ asking to open up Japan once more because America needed whales. …Well, the real reason was…was………
It was the whales. ForcingRevealing upon Japan crazy demands + threat of American scary when angrya nice treaty, America coaxed Japan out of its seclusion of 200 years.
…All for the whales.
Westernization/Meiji Restoration (1868 ~1912)
After being secluded for 200 years, Japan was naturally behind the times. To catch up, with the rest of the world, they rapidly took in western ideas and technology. It industrialized Japan and also modernized its army and navy with the help of England, France, and Prussia. With the military slogan becoming “Enrich the Country, Strengthen the Army”, Japan shifted its name to Great Japanese Empire.
Sino-Japanese War (1894 ~ 1895)
Japan’s success with modernization was shown during this war between Qing China over Korea. Not wanting to become one of Europe’s colonies, and instead have enough power to compete equally with the West, Japan began to spread its territory. Seeing Korea as a threat to Japan if taken by another, it decides to wage war with China to annex Korea and obtain security and supplies. The result was Japan’s victory and defeat of China, creating a rift between the two former “siblings”. It had also established Japan as the dominant power in Asia, and equal standing with the West.
Anglo-Japanese Alliance/Russo-Japanese War (1902 ~ 1923)
Although Japan had established a name for itself, it had yet to form an alliance with another country in fear of being forced to sign an unfair alliance. At the same time, England, who had been in splendid isolation, was looking for someone to sign an alliance as well with the threat of Russia coming down to the West via China. Japan had also been feeling threatened by Russia as well, and the two agreed on forming an alliance/becoming friends with each other.
Once formed, Japan got ready to go to war with Russia over Manchuria and Korea. Although all European power believed Russia would win, Japan turned out to be the victorious one (with England’s help of restricting France from helping Russia). This victory transformed the balance of power in East Asia, and also was one of the main causes of the Russian Revolution of 1905.
World War 1 (1914 ~ 1917)
Japan joined in the war with the request of help from England, which Japan replied with its navy attacking against the Germany. After the World War, Japan was considered to be one of the Great Powers as it expanded its territory, making Japan into an imperialistic nation.
Second Sino-Japanese War (1937 ~ 1945)
As the Japan Empire grew its power, it once again, fell into war with Republic of China. With incidents such as the “Rape of Nanking”, America’s opinion of Japan turned to something negative. Combined with the economic downturns in the 20’s, Japan left the Four-Power Treaty of America, France, England and Japan, and signed the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy.
Axis Powers/World War 2(1940 ~ 1945)
Japan, Germany and Italy formed the main Axis Powers, who went against the Allied Powers of America, Soviet Union, England, China, and France during the World War 2. (Most of Hetalia’s stories occur within this time period, although the comic strips are comical versions of events that happened.)
Japan had been in war with China, when it joined in with the World War 2 with the bombing of Pearl Harbor that they had done to prevent America from meddling in the business of Japan’s war against Southeast Asia and Britain. However, in result it just caused America to join the World War, so in a way the plan failed.
Although Japan was at first winning along with the other Axis Powers, the tide of victory slowly changed. Italy had raised the white flag first, than Germany was beaten, and Japan was running out of its resources. With the double dropping of the atomic bomb, the World War came to an end, leaving Japan in shambles.
Post War (1945 ~ 1952)
As a result of losing the war, Japan was occupied mainly by America, and forced to demilitarize and democratize, stripping Japan from its name of “Imperial” Japan. The imperial family was only a figurehead of the country, instead of the god-like figure it used to be.
The occupancy of Japan ended as the Treat of San Francisco, which formally denounced Japan as an imperial power and allocate compensations to Allies, came into effect.
Modern Japan (1952 ~ 2009)
After the occupancy, Japan showed miraculous recovery as a country, with its economic boosting up as it concentrated on industrialization. It is now considered to be a developed nation now, with its economy being the world’s second largest and being the only Asian country in the G8.
Personality
As far as Japan’s personality goes, he seems a bit like a mix between a Yamato Danshi (a man with the Japanese spirit) and a Yamato Nadeshiko (ideal Japanese woman). With a responsible, serious personality that doesn’t tolerate shame, he controls his facial expression from his true emotions giving the illusion of a “mysterious” look. However, he tends to wrap up his true thoughts in round-about ways, causing people to think he is easily pushed along and can’t say “No” (which is partially true). Japan would rather answer with “I will take the appropriate steps to this problem.” “I will think about it.” “Please wait for my answer” rather than answering a straight-out “yes” or “no”. Although he seems serious, his view of “normal” is different from the norm due to his long period of seclusion.
Japan enjoys reading the atmosphere and restraining his comments, and eating food (particularly salty ones). He is considered to be a good cook and generally competent in household chores. He also enjoys making items into smaller, efficient version, adopting and arranging different ideas, and the two-dimension world. Japan is an otaku (Japanese anime/game/manga nerd) that enjoys playin games, drawing doujinshies, and doing general otaku stuff.
Japan also refers to himself as a “Grandpa”, meaning his old age next to China, even though he looks as if he’s one of the youngest out of the countries.
Abilities
Japan is a country, so whatever the country suffers, so does he. This includes damages to the land and people. During an economic crisis, it can be seen as a cold, its effect varying on how bad the crisis is. However, being taken to Wonderland, he has no people and no land connection, so he’s basically a normal human that just looks really young for his real age.
He does have basic fighting abilities, his choice of weapon being a katana, however he can be seen being a ninja as well.
He also has this super ability to be an otaku and get moe out of any two-dimensional beings/objects
Third-Person Sample:
While listening to the chorus of cicadas, Japan threw the futon cover over the horizontal bar to dry it. The sleeves of his kimono were tied to keep it from hindering the housework, and his ivory complexion was flushed red from the heat. However, he was glad of the hot sun, it allowed him to wash bigger materials like his futon, and clothes dried faster. Yes, a perfect day for washing.
After finishing with the laundry, Japan wiped the sweat from his forehead. Carrying the empty laundry basket back to the house, he talked to his white dog, Pochi that was trotting next to him. “The hot sun is nice for laundry, but it’s hard on a grandpa like me,” he said in his calm, low voice, it and his words contradicting his young looking face. “Are you hungry, Pochi? Wait for a few more minutes, and I will make lunch for you.” The dog barked happily and followed Japan inside the house.
Japan thought over his schedule for the rest of the day, as his washed his hand and put away the laundry basket. After he and Pochi ate, he would clean the house, than finish up some of the work he had to do. Unless a sudden rain came, his laundry should be dried by then, and then after that he was free to play the new Cla**ad game that had just been delivered to his house.
First-Person Sample:
…Oh my. Is…this Europe? It doesn’t look like America-san’s place. It oddly reminds me of England-san’s home. Except I doubt he would do things such as take me while I was sleeping… Maybe it was America-san. It can be that he wanted to watch scary movies, but was too afraid to do so alone. But I never knew America-san could be so…silentstealthy. Maybe it was Britannia Angel’s magic?
E-Either way, I must return soon. I cannot leave my work undone and furthermore, I have not told my boss I would be leaving the country. I need to attend the Natsu-Comi too….
A-Ah, hello? He-llo? Is there anyone here? I understand this is not Japan, and I know I have no passport. I apologize to this country for entering illegally. I did not mean to, and I would like it if I could go home.
Name: Yuko
LJ: spandaex
E-Mail: fleur_de_cerise@yahoo.com
IM: {AIM} autophaging {YIM} fleur_de_cerise
Character Name: Japan // Honda Kiku
Series: Axis Powers Hetalia
Timeline: Present Day (2009)
Canon Resource Link: Wiki Japan link and Simple Character Intro. (Japan is the 3rd one)
History
So, about two thousand and some hundred years ago, two divine beings by the name of “Izanami” and “Izanagi” mated and the babies they had were the islands of Japan. Or at least, that was what the mythological “birth” of Japan says. Later on the Izanami died, and Izanagi went to go look for her in the land of dead, but she was rotting away and Izanagi ran away from fear. To purify himself he washed himself under a waterfall, and from the places he washed, came deities. One famous one was the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu. According to the legendary first emperor of Japan, Emperor Jimmu, he was the descendant of her, using that reason to establish the throne in 660 BC, which should be considered the “real” birth of the country Japan.
However, written evidence of Japan existing didn’t exist until 1st century AD from a book called Twenty-Four Histories made by China. Although, there are evidences of Japanese existing since the Upper Paleolithic period, we won’t be too concerned with that since nothing really happened then except pottery. Let’s skip off to…about year 538, which most people call the Asuka Period.
Asuka Period (538 ~ 710)
This is when Japan starts being called “Nihon” instead of “Wa” as China called it. It was also the time when Japan sent a letter to China calling Japan as “The Land of the Rising Sun” and China as “Land if the Setting Sun”, which indicated Japan considered itself the same level as China. Obviously China was offended, and the political ties between the two countries fell, but cultural ties were kept strong. In Hetalia, this was apparently when Japan was found by China and the two seemed to be around each other as Japan grew, with China as an “older brother” (even though Japan denied it).
Fast forward to the Heian Period.
Heian Period (794 ~ 1185)
The Heian Period was considered the peak of the imperial court and arts flourished. However, it was also the time when the military class began to rise. High class aristocrats employed personal body guards and made armies, which we call “Samurai”. Being a samurai to one aristocrat family soon became a family thing, and powerful military family began to appear who had connections to the imperial court and such.
Sengoku Period (Middle 15th Century ~ Beginning 17th Century)
As the power of the military class rose, they increased their influence, and had become the practical leader in power of Japan, instead of the emperor. However, because the leadership in Japan could be obtained by defeating the army of the present-strongest, open warfare within the country broke out. This era was filled with political upheavals and constant military conflict, that could be compared with the “Dark Ages” of Europe.
The three daimyos (territorial lords) that put an end to this period was Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu. The three were major contributes to the unification of Japan and Ieyasu later established the last form of military government called the Tokugawa Shogunate. (What did Nobunaga and Hideyoshi do? Um, well Hideyoshi tried to conquer Korea BUT SORRY KOREA NOT NOW)
And then…CAME THE EUROPEANS.
Nanban Trade (1543 ~ 1641)
The first Europeans that came to Japan was Portuguese, and although they didn’t find Europeans interesting at first, soon Japan (being Japan) began adopting European technologies and culture. Japan welcomed the trade and Europeans had a good image of Japan’s metalwork and craftsmanship. Japan’s capital moved over to Edo/Tokyo. All seemed well until Christianity came.
Sakoku (Seclusion) ( 1641~1853)
“AHHHH THEY ARE INVADING MY VITAL REGIONS IN THE NAME OF JESUS” and just like that, Japan decided to cut off ties with foreign countries except the Dutch and Chinese, whom they continued trade with, although using only one port at Nagasaki and went into hikikomori seclusion. Nobody could enter or leave the country unless you wanted the death penalty.
Of course, Japan’s peace days of clamming up in his house was broken by one and only, Matthew Perry @ America.
Kaikoku (Re-Opening) (1853)
“THE BLACK SHIPS HAVE COME!”
Yes, America had come to Japan forcing ’kindly’ asking to open up Japan once more because America needed whales. …Well, the real reason was…was………
It was the whales. ForcingRevealing upon Japan crazy demands + threat of American scary when angrya nice treaty, America coaxed Japan out of its seclusion of 200 years.
…All for the whales.
Westernization/Meiji Restoration (1868 ~1912)
After being secluded for 200 years, Japan was naturally behind the times. To catch up, with the rest of the world, they rapidly took in western ideas and technology. It industrialized Japan and also modernized its army and navy with the help of England, France, and Prussia. With the military slogan becoming “Enrich the Country, Strengthen the Army”, Japan shifted its name to Great Japanese Empire.
Sino-Japanese War (1894 ~ 1895)
Japan’s success with modernization was shown during this war between Qing China over Korea. Not wanting to become one of Europe’s colonies, and instead have enough power to compete equally with the West, Japan began to spread its territory. Seeing Korea as a threat to Japan if taken by another, it decides to wage war with China to annex Korea and obtain security and supplies. The result was Japan’s victory and defeat of China, creating a rift between the two former “siblings”. It had also established Japan as the dominant power in Asia, and equal standing with the West.
Anglo-Japanese Alliance/Russo-Japanese War (1902 ~ 1923)
Although Japan had established a name for itself, it had yet to form an alliance with another country in fear of being forced to sign an unfair alliance. At the same time, England, who had been in splendid isolation, was looking for someone to sign an alliance as well with the threat of Russia coming down to the West via China. Japan had also been feeling threatened by Russia as well, and the two agreed on forming an alliance/becoming friends with each other.
Once formed, Japan got ready to go to war with Russia over Manchuria and Korea. Although all European power believed Russia would win, Japan turned out to be the victorious one (with England’s help of restricting France from helping Russia). This victory transformed the balance of power in East Asia, and also was one of the main causes of the Russian Revolution of 1905.
World War 1 (1914 ~ 1917)
Japan joined in the war with the request of help from England, which Japan replied with its navy attacking against the Germany. After the World War, Japan was considered to be one of the Great Powers as it expanded its territory, making Japan into an imperialistic nation.
Second Sino-Japanese War (1937 ~ 1945)
As the Japan Empire grew its power, it once again, fell into war with Republic of China. With incidents such as the “Rape of Nanking”, America’s opinion of Japan turned to something negative. Combined with the economic downturns in the 20’s, Japan left the Four-Power Treaty of America, France, England and Japan, and signed the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy.
Axis Powers/World War 2(1940 ~ 1945)
Japan, Germany and Italy formed the main Axis Powers, who went against the Allied Powers of America, Soviet Union, England, China, and France during the World War 2. (Most of Hetalia’s stories occur within this time period, although the comic strips are comical versions of events that happened.)
Japan had been in war with China, when it joined in with the World War 2 with the bombing of Pearl Harbor that they had done to prevent America from meddling in the business of Japan’s war against Southeast Asia and Britain. However, in result it just caused America to join the World War, so in a way the plan failed.
Although Japan was at first winning along with the other Axis Powers, the tide of victory slowly changed. Italy had raised the white flag first, than Germany was beaten, and Japan was running out of its resources. With the double dropping of the atomic bomb, the World War came to an end, leaving Japan in shambles.
Post War (1945 ~ 1952)
As a result of losing the war, Japan was occupied mainly by America, and forced to demilitarize and democratize, stripping Japan from its name of “Imperial” Japan. The imperial family was only a figurehead of the country, instead of the god-like figure it used to be.
The occupancy of Japan ended as the Treat of San Francisco, which formally denounced Japan as an imperial power and allocate compensations to Allies, came into effect.
Modern Japan (1952 ~ 2009)
After the occupancy, Japan showed miraculous recovery as a country, with its economic boosting up as it concentrated on industrialization. It is now considered to be a developed nation now, with its economy being the world’s second largest and being the only Asian country in the G8.
Personality
As far as Japan’s personality goes, he seems a bit like a mix between a Yamato Danshi (a man with the Japanese spirit) and a Yamato Nadeshiko (ideal Japanese woman). With a responsible, serious personality that doesn’t tolerate shame, he controls his facial expression from his true emotions giving the illusion of a “mysterious” look. However, he tends to wrap up his true thoughts in round-about ways, causing people to think he is easily pushed along and can’t say “No” (which is partially true). Japan would rather answer with “I will take the appropriate steps to this problem.” “I will think about it.” “Please wait for my answer” rather than answering a straight-out “yes” or “no”. Although he seems serious, his view of “normal” is different from the norm due to his long period of seclusion.
Japan enjoys reading the atmosphere and restraining his comments, and eating food (particularly salty ones). He is considered to be a good cook and generally competent in household chores. He also enjoys making items into smaller, efficient version, adopting and arranging different ideas, and the two-dimension world. Japan is an otaku (Japanese anime/game/manga nerd) that enjoys playin games, drawing doujinshies, and doing general otaku stuff.
Japan also refers to himself as a “Grandpa”, meaning his old age next to China, even though he looks as if he’s one of the youngest out of the countries.
Abilities
Japan is a country, so whatever the country suffers, so does he. This includes damages to the land and people. During an economic crisis, it can be seen as a cold, its effect varying on how bad the crisis is. However, being taken to Wonderland, he has no people and no land connection, so he’s basically a normal human that just looks really young for his real age.
He does have basic fighting abilities, his choice of weapon being a katana, however he can be seen being a ninja as well.
He also has this super ability to be an otaku and get moe out of any two-dimensional beings/objects
Third-Person Sample:
While listening to the chorus of cicadas, Japan threw the futon cover over the horizontal bar to dry it. The sleeves of his kimono were tied to keep it from hindering the housework, and his ivory complexion was flushed red from the heat. However, he was glad of the hot sun, it allowed him to wash bigger materials like his futon, and clothes dried faster. Yes, a perfect day for washing.
After finishing with the laundry, Japan wiped the sweat from his forehead. Carrying the empty laundry basket back to the house, he talked to his white dog, Pochi that was trotting next to him. “The hot sun is nice for laundry, but it’s hard on a grandpa like me,” he said in his calm, low voice, it and his words contradicting his young looking face. “Are you hungry, Pochi? Wait for a few more minutes, and I will make lunch for you.” The dog barked happily and followed Japan inside the house.
Japan thought over his schedule for the rest of the day, as his washed his hand and put away the laundry basket. After he and Pochi ate, he would clean the house, than finish up some of the work he had to do. Unless a sudden rain came, his laundry should be dried by then, and then after that he was free to play the new Cla**ad game that had just been delivered to his house.
First-Person Sample:
…Oh my. Is…this Europe? It doesn’t look like America-san’s place. It oddly reminds me of England-san’s home. Except I doubt he would do things such as take me while I was sleeping… Maybe it was America-san. It can be that he wanted to watch scary movies, but was too afraid to do so alone. But I never knew America-san could be so…silentstealthy. Maybe it was Britannia Angel’s magic?
E-Either way, I must return soon. I cannot leave my work undone and furthermore, I have not told my boss I would be leaving the country. I need to attend the Natsu-Comi too….
A-Ah, hello? He-llo? Is there anyone here? I understand this is not Japan, and I know I have no passport. I apologize to this country for entering illegally. I did not mean to, and I would like it if I could go home.