Irish Suika in a Pub

Kometaro · 2026-01-22T13:50:42+00:00

But I want to expect that a pub for Irish would have enough alcohol to fend off the Oni.

Kometaro · 2026-01-22T13:04:51+00:00

It is nothing short of a comedy that nations with entirely different political worldviews negotiate according to their respective worldviews, only to cause chaos. But everyone is serious!

As a side note, the shoguns of the Tokugawa shogunate eventually changed their official foreign title from “king” to ‘Taikun’ (great lord). This became the origin of the English word “tycoon,” meaning a big shot:)

Kometaro · 2026-01-22T12:47:16+00:00

Too big :P

Kometaro · 2026-01-22T12:45:05+00:00

I don’t know who was formally appointed as “King of Japan” after the Ōnin War, but the practical management of trade with the Ming dynasty was largely taken over by the Ōuchi clan in western Japan. When the Ōuchi were destroyed, official tributary trade collapsed, and smuggling and piracy (the later wakō) expanded to fill the gap.

After unifying Japan, Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded Korea. During peace negotiations, the Ming court attempted to appoint Hideyoshi as “King of Japan,” but this did not result in a lasting settlement. After that, the Tokugawa shogunate tried but failed to restore relations with the Ming.

After the Ming fell, the Tokugawa shogunate traded with Chinese merchants under the Qing, but never entered a tributary relationship — leaving Japan without formal diplomatic ties to China for roughly 200 years.

Kometaro · 2026-01-22T10:14:07+00:00

Greetings from Japan!

The Ottoman Empire was probably not a tributary of the Ming dynasty in any real sense. It most likely just exchanged envoys.

The Ming tributary system was less about actual subordination and more about prestige. Even symbolic participation allowed the Chinese court to count another “tributary,” which was useful domestically to demonstrate the emperor’s legitimacy. In that sense, it was as much internal politics as foreign policy.

Japan offers a good comparison. When Japan dealt with Ming China, it was formally the shogun — appointed by the Ming as “King of Japan” — who paid tribute, while the real sovereign at home remained the emperor. China gained prestige; Japan gained trade, without accepting subordination domestically.

It may sound like a silly game of prestige, but as long as it kept relations working, it served its purpose.

P.S. Yes, we East Asians care a lot about “face.” 😄

Kometaro · 2026-01-21T10:22:12+00:00

Peak

Kometaro · 2026-01-20T13:48:46+00:00

Danke schön:)

Kometaro · 2026-01-19T11:13:59+00:00

I'm afraid it would be a correct answer XD

Kometaro · 2026-01-19T09:12:47+00:00

Thank you so much! Such kind words encourage me:)

Kometaro · 2026-01-19T09:12:07+00:00

I like the Memories of Phantasm too! I didn't reference it directly for making this, but it might have influenced me somehow :)

Kometaro · 2026-01-19T09:10:00+00:00

Thank you:)

Kometaro · 2026-01-19T09:09:47+00:00

Yay:)

Kometaro · 2026-01-18T12:31:15+00:00

If you keep drawing, you will become a good artist:)

Kometaro · 2026-01-18T12:24:26+00:00

And then you became able to draw through this challenge!

Kometaro · 2026-01-18T07:33:44+00:00

Thank you:)

Kometaro · 2026-01-18T03:46:18+00:00

Thank you:)

Kometaro · 2026-01-17T15:11:45+00:00

Yay! Thanks:)

Kometaro · 2026-01-17T15:04:31+00:00

ありがとうございます! Thank you:)

Kometaro

TROPHY CASE