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Nekonoshima


Nekonoshima is a nation led by Holy Leader Tomoko Tamura on the continent of Asia. Nekonoshima's government is a Communist Theocracy with very liberal social policies. Economically, Nekonoshima favors extremely left wing policies. The official currency of Nekonoshima is the Yen. At 23 days old, Nekonoshima is a young nation. Nekonoshima has a population of 568,869 and a land area of 5,000.00 sq. miles. This gives it a national average population density of 113.77. Pollution in the nation is almost non-existent. The citizens' faith in the government is sufficient with an approval rating of 66.5228%.


Nekonoshima: Theocratic Communist Nation of Aoshima

Nestled in the heart of the Aoshima archipelago lies Nekonoshima, an isolated theocratic communist state, steeped in Shintoist traditions and sustained by the bounty of the sea. This serene island nation is home to a tight-knit community of fisherfolk, craftsmen, and spiritual caretakers who lead simple lives in harmony with nature, under the guidance of a divine council.


Governance and Beliefs

Nekonoshima is governed by the Council of Spirits, a group of revered spiritual leaders believed to communicate directly with the kami (deities) of the land, sea, and sky. These leaders interpret divine will to guide all aspects of governance, from resource distribution to societal laws. The Council’s decrees are carried out by local communes, ensuring an egalitarian structure rooted in communal labor and shared prosperity.

Shintoism permeates every facet of life on the island. Daily rituals honor the kami, with the ocean’s deity, Ryūjin, holding particular significance. Fishermen dedicate their first catch to Ryūjin as a token of gratitude for safe waters, while farmers bless their fields with seasonal ceremonies.


Economy and Livelihood

The island's economy is based on subsistence and mutual aid, embodying communist ideals. Fishing is the lifeblood of Nekonoshima, with every family contributing to the daily catch. The island’s waters are abundant with fish, seaweed, and shellfish, which form the backbone of their diet and occasional trade with neighboring islands.

Beyond fishing, the people of Nekonoshima engage in traditional crafts, such as boat-building, weaving, and pottery. These crafts are both practical and sacred, with each piece considered an offering to the kami. Any surplus is shared among communes or used to barter for rare goods not found on the island.


Culture and Society

Nekonoshima’s culture thrives on simplicity and collective joy. Festivals are frequent and colorful, celebrating the changing seasons and the island’s connection to nature. During the Kuro Festival, villagers adorn themselves with fish-shaped masks and dance along the shoreline, thanking Ryūjin for the year’s harvest.

Education focuses on communal values, Shinto philosophy, and traditional skills. Children learn to fish, repair nets, and recognize sacred sites while being taught the importance of balance between humanity and the natural world.

Cats, regarded as sacred messengers of the kami, roam freely and are deeply cherished. The island’s name, Nekonoshima (Cat Island), reflects this reverence. It is said that the kami sometimes take feline forms to observe the people, ensuring they remain virtuous.


Isolation and Resilience

Despite its isolation, Nekonoshima remains steadfast in its self-sufficiency. Contact with the outside world is limited and heavily ritualized. Foreign visitors are welcomed with cautious hospitality but must undergo purification ceremonies to avoid disrupting the island's spiritual balance.

Nekonoshima’s resilience stems from its people's unwavering belief in their system. By intertwining faith with governance and ensuring communal well-being, the island stands as a unique fusion of spiritual devotion and socialist ideals.


In Nekonoshima, life flows with the tides, guided by the kami’s will and the collective strength of its people. It is a utopia for those who seek simplicity, connection to nature, and a life deeply imbued with spiritual purpose.


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National Factbook
Flag: National Flag
Nation Name: Nekonoshima
Leader Name: Tomoko Tamura
Currency: Currency Image
Yen
National Animal: National Animal Image
Cat
History: Folklore History of Nekonoshima: The Tale of Ryūjin’s Blessing

The Arrival of the First People
One stormy night, a group of shipwrecked fishermen, fleeing famine and war, drifted onto the shores of what would become Nekonoshima. Exhausted and starving, they prayed to any spirit that would hear them. It was then that Ryūjin appeared in the form of a colossal dragon rising from the waves. His voice boomed like thunder, and his scales shimmered like the moonlit sea.

Ryūjin looked into the hearts of the castaways and saw their humility and desperation. He offered them a pact:

In exchange for their devotion, he would provide them with abundant fish and calm seas.
However, they must live in harmony with the land and sea, taking only what they needed and honoring the spirits that dwelled there.
The fishermen swore their loyalty, marking the beginning of Nekonoshima’s sacred covenant with the kami.

The Founding of the Sacred Village
The first settlers built their village where Ryūjin had appeared, calling it Mizukura (Water’s Blessing). They crafted their homes from driftwood and seaweed, careful not to harm the forested interior, which they believed housed other powerful kami. Every morning, they offered their first catch to Ryūjin by placing it on the shoreline, and every evening, they sang songs of gratitude, calling it the Hymn of the Tides.

It is said that as long as the offerings continued, the waters remained calm and teeming with life. However, one year, a greedy chief, blinded by ambition, hoarded the village’s surplus catch. The villagers grew resentful, and the harmony of the community faltered. Ryūjin, angered by their selfishness, summoned a mighty tsunami that washed away the chief’s home and swept him into the depths.

After this calamity, the surviving villagers swore to live communally, sharing all resources equally and honoring Ryūjin with renewed devotion. The council of spiritual leaders, later known as the Council of Spirits, was formed to interpret the will of the kami and ensure the island’s balance was maintained.

The Legend of the Sacred Cat
Generations later, a famine struck the island when an unusually harsh winter drove fish away from the shores. The people prayed fervently to Ryūjin, but the dragon remained silent. One day, a small black cat appeared at the village shrine. It meowed loudly and pawed at the fishermen, leading them to an untouched cove teeming with fish.

The people believed the cat was a messenger—or perhaps even an incarnation—of Ryūjin himself. They named it Kurohime, or "Black Princess," and treated it with reverence. From that day forward, cats were seen as sacred animals, protectors of the island, and intermediaries between humans and the kami. Statues of Kurohime now adorn every shrine, and cats freely roam the island as cherished companions.
Geography
Continent: Asia
Land Area: 8,046.70 sq. km
Terrain: Terrain of Nekonoshima
Nekonoshima, located in the Aoshima archipelago, is a picturesque island characterized by its rugged yet harmonious landscape. Every aspect of its terrain reflects the island’s deep connection to nature and its Shintoist reverence for the kami that dwell within the land and sea.

Coastal Areas
Rocky Shores: The island’s perimeter is marked by jagged cliffs and rocky outcroppings, carved over centuries by the ceaseless waves. These cliffs are adorned with caves, believed to be the gateways to Ryūjin’s underwater palace.
Sandy Beaches: In contrast, serene white sand beaches dot the coastline, particularly on the southern side. These beaches serve as fishing hubs and sacred spaces where rituals and festivals are performed.
Forest and Hills
Sacred Forests: The interior of the island is dominated by dense, ancient forests of cedar, bamboo, and camphor trees. These forests are considered sacred, home to numerous kami and protected by the Council of Spirits. Logging is forbidden except for ceremonial purposes, ensuring the forest remains pristine.
Rolling Hills: Gentle hills rise in the island's center, offering panoramic views of the surrounding ocean. These hills are covered in wildflowers during spring and serve as grazing areas for the island’s small herds of deer, also considered sacred.
Freshwater Features
Crystal Clear Streams: Freshwater streams flow from the hills to the sea, providing life-sustaining water for the inhabitants. These streams are regarded as blessings from the mountain kami and are often used for purification rituals.
The Dragon’s Spring: A legendary hot spring at the base of the largest hill, believed to be a gift from Ryūjin. The warm, mineral-rich waters are said to have healing properties and are a popular destination for both locals and pilgrims.
Villages and Terraces
Terraced Fields: Ingenious terraced farms line the lower hills, where the villagers cultivate rice, vegetables, and herbs in harmony with the land. These fields are irrigated by the island’s natural streams and reflect the community’s skill in sustainable farming.
Fishing Villages: Small, picturesque villages lie along the coastline, their wooden homes raised on stilts to protect them from high tides. Fishing docks and net-drying racks are common sights, blending seamlessly into the natural beauty of the surroundings.
Unique Landmarks
The Shrine of Ryūjin: Located atop the highest hill, this grand shrine is a focal point of spiritual activity. It is surrounded by a mystical mist that locals say is Ryūjin’s breath. From the shrine, visitors can see the ocean stretch endlessly, a reminder of the dragon’s domain.
The Cat Stones: Scattered across the island are peculiar stone formations resembling lounging cats. Folklore claims they were once kami who took feline forms and turned to stone to protect the island during times of strife.
Highest Peak: Takaokami-no-Mine, 420 meters
Lowest Valley: , 0 meters
Climate:
Nekonoshima has a mild maritime climate, shaped by its location in the Aoshima archipelago and its proximity to the ocean.

Summers are warm but not overly hot, with temperatures averaging 25–28°C (77–82°F). Gentle sea breezes keep the air fresh and comfortable.
Winters are cool and mild, with temperatures rarely dropping below 5–10°C (41–50°F). Snowfall is rare, but occasional mist blankets the hills and forests.
Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, supporting the island’s lush vegetation. Spring and autumn often bring light rains, while late summer can see brief but intense typhoons.
Humidity is consistently moderate to high, given the island’s oceanic setting, but coastal winds prevent it from feeling oppressive.
The climate fosters abundant marine life and lush forests, allowing the people of Nekonoshima to thrive in harmony with nature.
People & Society
Population: 568,869 people
Demonym: nekonoshiman
Demonym Plural: nekonoshimans
Ethnic Groups: aoshiman - 98.5%
japanese - 1.5%
Languages: nekonoshiman dialect - 98.6%
traditional japanese - 1.4%
Religions: shintoism - 100.0%
Health
Life Expectancy: 87 years
Obesity: 0%
Alcohol Users: 61.2%
Tobacco Users: 14.8%
Cannabis Users: 0.5%
Hard Drug Users: 0%
Economy
Description: Nekonoshima's economy is primarily subsistence-based, with a focus on fishing, agriculture, and communal crafts. The island’s fertile waters provide an abundance of fish, seaweed, and shellfish, forming the core of its diet and trade. Rice cultivation and the growing of vegetables and herbs are also vital, supported by the island’s terraced fields. Bartering is common, with surplus resources exchanged between communities or for rare goods from neighboring islands.
Average Yearly Income: $128.65
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): $1,068,949,958.00
GDP per Capita: $1,879.08
Gross National Income (GNI): $879,662,045.00
Industries: The island's craft industries revolve around traditional skills such as boat-building, pottery, weaving, and carpentry. These crafts are not only utilitarian but also hold spiritual significance, with each item often created as an offering to the kami. The island has no heavy industry; its economy is rooted in sustainability and self-reliance, with little reliance on outside trade.
Military
History: Nekonoshima maintains a communal defense force known as the Guardians of the Tides (Umizuka no Ban). Rather than a professional military, it is a collective defense system where every able-bodied Nekonoshiman is trained in basic combat, archery, and the protection of sacred sites. The Guardians serve to protect the island from external threats and to maintain order during times of unrest. Their weapons are often simple—swords, spears, and bows—crafted locally. Rituals and prayers to Ryūjin are conducted before any military action, ensuring that the island’s defense is seen as a sacred duty rather than a violent act.
Soldiers: 0
Tanks: 0
Aircraft: 0
Ships: 0
Missiles: 0
Nuclear Weapons: 0
Last Updated: 11/25/2024 07:42 pm