I like some aspects of Japanese history and I have thought about doing a semi-historical campaign in the late Heian/Fujiwara period. One thing I like about it is the contrast between the die-hard and fatalistic samurai vs their masters, the over-sensitive and decadent Fujiwara court. BUT Having known two Japan-fetishizers ("everything Japanese is just better") I have sometimes been a bit turned off.
Anyway, maybe I'll go back to that idea later.
Greetings!
Hey Trond!
"Japan-Fetishizers". Yeah, it has been an observation of mine that, at least here in America, America in general has fetishized Japan for a good long while now, say 40 or 50 years, maybe more.
I originally developed my theory partially from a Pop-Cultural standpoint, but also from an educational standpoint. Through much of American schooling, Asia is for the most part ignored entirely. Then, there is Commodore Perry, and opening up Japan to the wider world during the latter half of the 19th Century.
Then, there is World War II, and our war against the Japanese Empire in the pacific. Then, there is the Korean War (Mostly ignored or gone over very briefly); Then, there is the Vietnam War, gone into some political detail, but especially focused on glorifying the Liberals, the Hippies, the Rebels, and American media personalities' fight to embarrass or otherwise shame and resist the American military and the American government.
There is the Pop-Cultural obsession with Ninjas, Katanas, Samurai, and Geishas.
That is pretty much what is typically served up as 'Asia" until college, where, depending on one's major, Asian studies at least improves somewhat. Until that point, or an individual pursues vigorous individual study, it can seem like it is all "Japan!, Japan!, Japan!"; and "Japanese everything is awesome!"
It is a to a huge degree concerning that cultural and educational frustration that when I got into college, I said "Forget Japan!"--and I formally pursued professional studies in Ancient India and Ancient China. One of my Historical specialties for my History degree was Ancient China and Ancient India studies.
There is 5,000 years and more of history going on in Ancient China, as well as Ancient India. Very interesting things, so many, many things going on. Comparatively, Japan was a primitive, barbarian backwater for most of that time.
To this day, not only academically, with my own library of books, but also feeding into my influences in gaming, I have been much re interested in Chinese and Indian sources. As a off-shoot, I have also chewed a bit into Vietnam, Thailand, and the history of the Siam region in general.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK