I sincerely apologize for the delay in posting due to various circumstances. I have posted an activity report explaining the reasons for this delay, so please read it if you are interested.
The existence of a large alliance formed around the Echizen Asakura family, which originated from the Takamine clan.
This encirclement, which seemed to surround both the Asai and Oda families, was undoubtedly a problem that the Asai family could not deal with on their own.
First and foremost, providing information to the Oda family is undoubtedly the top priority.
At this point, there was no other option but to form a joint front with the Oda clan, and it was especially important to maintain close communication with Nobunaga.
Next, in order to diversify the Asakura Alliance's focus in the Kinki region, it was also necessary to persuade the Oda family to form an alliance with Matsunaga Hisahide, who was hostile to the Miyoshi Three.
Perhaps Hisahide had anticipated this development and taken precautions beforehand.
That would leave me feeling nothing but terror, but it goes without saying that the power of this ruthless warlord of the Sengoku period would undoubtedly be necessary.
(I need to be careful not to get assassinated...)
While I can accept it if it's the ending of a cancelled manga or novel, I absolutely cannot stand the idea of being killed off before achieving my goals.
My child was just born.
I had no intention of dying until they became fully-fledged adults.
"...Well, I need to push through a little longer."
I recall the faces of my children and give myself a stern pep talk.
And so I decided to take on further work.
Writing in the dim light of an indoor lantern is quite difficult.
However, there's no other decent light source available, so there's no other choice.
(Besides... this is something we should deal with immediately...)
What I am about to undertake—it will also serve as a guideline for the Asai family itself in the future.
And it will not only be with me, but with my descendants and future generations—as long as the Asai family can survive, it will continue to be with us.
In other words, it is an examination of the doctrines and missionary forms of the Biwa sect associated with the Asai family.大祝Ohori
(How we handle this will likely determine not only the future of the Asai family, but also the future of the people of northern Omi...)
The question of what the future holds for the Biwa religion has long been a major problem that has troubled me.
The reason why Biwa-kyo (the Biwa religion) remains effective is that it does not reject the current, unconventional religious views that worship the mythical dragon Mizuchi, but rather simply rides on their coattails.
However, with the threat of the Asakura Alliance looming...
There was also the thought that, in order to achieve greater unity and solidarity, it might be better to aim for the establishment of a religious community that transcends territorial boundaries.
(Furthermore, if we can fully implement the Biwa teachings, we can also identify and eliminate the members of the Ikko sect, including those at Hon'genji Temple.)
However, doing so could provoke resistance from temple and shrine forces in northern Omi and the territory of the Takenaka family.
However, this is an officially recognized religious force backed by the power of the imperial court in Kyoto.
一宮IchinomiyaThe shrine holds the rank of First Rank, enshrines a mythical creature called Mizuchi, and the chief priest is a Lieutenant General of the Right Imperial Guard, who holds the rank of Fifth Rank and became Mizuchi's representative after killing a hawk.
(...Yeah, nobody can beat me in terms of social status.)
—And if the dragon were to present itself as "desiring to spread its teachings," then no one would be able to openly rebel.
If the dragon becomes enraged, Japan will be finished.
Given that fact, aiming for immediate religious integration is not necessarily a bad move.
Rather, given the existence of the Asakura Alliance, religious integration would undoubtedly be an effective way to strengthen unity and solidarity with the people.
(But the real challenge is establishing the doctrine for that...)
This is because making religious doctrines too complex by over-complicating them can potentially alienate believers.
What's important for religion is its simplicity—that it's "understandable to everyone" and that "anyone can become enthusiastic about it."
They whisper simple, sweet words to incite the masses, without mentioning the complex background...
In that respect, politics and religion are the same.
(However, religion, as a means of integration, cannot function without providing a sense of morality and discipline. Simply believing in the same God is not enough.)
Therefore, the Biwa sect, organized with the Asai family at its apex, had to be based on the principle of simplicity and clarity in its doctrines, while also having the objective of disciplining its subjects.
The difficult part is finding the right balance.
To what extent should it be established as doctrine? As someone not particularly knowledgeable in religious studies, I have almost no background knowledge regarding the doctrines of the model religion.
(Perhaps it would be better to base it on the Shimazu family's version of the "Iroha Song.")
I thought about that while pressing the handle of the brush against my forehead.
Anyone interested in Japanese history may have heard of the Shimazu family's Iroha poem.
Simply put, it is the moral code and sacred text of the Satsuma samurai who were the driving force behind the Meiji Restoration in historical fact.
The "Iroha Song," which was used not only for the education of Satsuma samurai but also for the common people, was compiled by Shimazu Tadayoshi—the "sage ruler of Satsuma" who elevated the Shimazu family to the status of a Sengoku daimyo.
He used songs in the 7-5 syllable pattern to rationally and uniformly control his household and his people.
If a systematic set of moral norms is established, complete legal unification may also become possible.
This is because it becomes possible to distinguish between good and evil in light of moral norms.
(But what is this vague feeling spreading in my heart...?)
However, given that they were making an enemy of the Ikko-shu religious group, religious policies in managing their territory were an absolutely unavoidable factor.
Trying to suppress my restless heart and contemplate the content of the doctrine,
"...Hahaha"
I couldn't help but laugh. I was just so ridiculous right now.
"Hahahahahaha... Ah, I see—that's what it was."
I rolled the brush onto the inkstone, then lay down on the tatami mat, spread-eagled.
The ceiling was dark, and the light from the lanterns flickered faintly.
Watching that, it feels as if my very existence is wavering.
"Seriously... what are they doing?"
In my previous world, I hated the "studying" that teachers forced upon me.
But now, I am trying to establish religion as a means of educating my subjects.
I have created something I hated, and I am trying to force it upon the people of northern Omi.
(...How ironic.)
However, that's precisely why we can understand it.
The education established by those in power merely serves to cultivate uniform subjects who are convenient for those in power—in other words, "easy to govern."
I understand perfectly.
"Oh... what a thing to say ."
I, too, have been trapped within the framework created by the negative legacy of modernity that humanity has walked.
"But that doesn't mean I can turn back now..."
The die had already been cast, and events were unfolding.
I'm sure I'll continue to worry about this until the day I die.
The gap between the world one idealizes and the world that can actually be realized.
(Or perhaps that's what rulers are like.)
I am no longer just my own person.
Just as parents belong to their children, I belong to all the people who live in this land of Kita-Omi.
Therefore, if necessary, I had to kill my own self and live in accordance with their expectations.
"...There's no point in worrying about it."
I muttered softly, then slowly sat up.
Since the Ikko sect's Hongenji sect has turned against us, we will need to force some of our Ikko sect disciples, who may also be on our side, to perform the "fumi-e" (trampling on a religious image), and for that reason, we must expedite the formalization of our doctrines.
"Besides, we'll have to hold the annual festival starting next year... Ugh, damn it."
There really are a lot of things that need to be done.
However, I had already planned the core structure of the annual festival.
Needless to say, July 13th, the day the dragon appeared, is designated as "the day to appease the dragon," and the head of the Asai family is expected to visit it.
This year, I'll just let the people pray for my peace and safety on this day.
Then, starting next year, we can have a large-scale festival held. We can just make up a plausible reason, like the water god wants to see a large gathering of people from northern Omi.
Festivals are places where people gather and share a sense of unity. It goes without saying that they are absolutely essential for religion.
(That means we'll need a base to gather the people...)
There is probably only one possible location.
The dragon appeared in the land of Kanebo.
A branch shrine of the Great Worship Hall should be built there, designated as a sacred site of the Biwa religion, and people should only be allowed to enter on July 13th.
(Perhaps we should have them carry the portable shrine then.)
The townspeople of Nagahama are given the portable shrines in advance, and after parading them through the town, they are brought into the Kanebo factory.
In that case, it might be good to have an entertainment aspect to it as well.
The main issue is how to finance the construction costs of the Kanebo branch office, but accepting donations seems like the best option financially.
The Oda and Tokugawa families seem likely to be accommodating, and above all—
"I'm definitely going to harass the Asakura family."
--That sums it up.
They deliberately approached the Asakura family regarding the donation to the Kanebo branch.
If they refuse at this point, it's possible to spread rumors among the court nobles to worsen the impression the imperial court has of them...
Above all, it becomes possible to label them as "a daimyo family that has absolutely no intention of contributing to the stability of the country."
If that happens, the legitimacy of the coalition forces led by the Asakura family will be severely diminished, and if they succeed in securing donations, it will be possible to deal a direct blow to the Asakura family's finances.
"I'm definitely going to take advantage of this opportunity...!"
Just as I had made that decision, I heard Manpukumaru and Chacha crying in the distance.
They probably woke up because of the smell of dinner that's likely being prepared by now.
He must be whining because he wants to be breastfed by Ichihime.
(I think it's about time.)
I chuckled wryly, put down my brush, and stood up.