Tankenhei

An 1886 ukiyo'e print depicting an idealized 17th-century tankenhei carrying a wounded comrade on his back.

Tankenhei (in Kokumon 딴껀헤, in Gyoumon 探検兵; literally "expedition soldier") were Senrian adventurers and conquerors operating across southern Coius from the 15th to 19th centuries. Emerging from the domestic political turmoil within Senria during the Tigoku period, tankenhei consisted of dispossessed nobles, the sons of nobles who were unlikely to inherit titles, landless or dispossessed samurai, rounin, political exiles, and soldiers of fortune motivated variously by desire for land, status, titles, wealth, fame, or adventure. Some successful tankenhei were ultimately legitimized by the Senrian monarchy with the honorific title sei'i taisougun, typically shortened to sougun in common parlance. The tankenhei phenomenon peaked in the 1600s, during which tankenhei played a major role in the campaigns of the Khaunban Empire, the Jiao-Toki transition, and the fall of the Togoti Khaganate, establishing themselves as figures of prominence in Shangea, Ansan, Satria, Kuthina, Siamat, and Tava; it fell off rapidly in the late 1700s, however, and had functionally ceased by the mid-19th century.

While most tankenhei operated primarily or exclusively on the Coian mainland, some individuals did also return to operate in Senria itself. Though commonly distinguished in traditional Senrian literature from kaizoku (pirates) and youhei (mercenaries), tankenhei could and did overlap with these groups, particularly the latter. Among the most famous tankenhei are Sinzou Toki, Yosioki Nagao, Tunemasa Tanaka, Yasuhiko Mizuna, and Toyokazu Kagemori.

Causes

[previous use of the title sei'i taisougun for campaigns against the isotamans, esamankur, and cotratics, which also legitimizes the idea of senrians going to "barbarian lands" to conquer them; you've also got the kaizoku operating out of the sunahamas as precedent]

[exaltation of military skill and honor, busidou and all that, means warfare is a prestigious job; domestic conflict between daimyou results in a semi-regular stream of individuals who were on the losing side of a conflict and are now dispossessed; you've got second and third sons, and landless samurai, and rounin just hanging around; turmoil on the continent presents a lucrative opportunity for those seeking glory, wealth, or honor]

History

Origins

[possibly linked to the Kyoutoku Rebellion? samurai, rounin, and peasant leaders who backed the rebellion flee continent-wards but continue doing military work]

Sinzou Toki was one of the most successful tankenhei.

During the 1600s

[phenomenon peaks amidst the utter chaos in continental coius during this period; intharacha hires several incl Tunemasa Tanaka, the Toki dynasty is literally founded by a bunch of tankenhei, tava gets conquered by Yasuhiko Mizuna, Toyokazu Kagemori does work for baekjeong's seonggol and gets enfeoffed]

[during the Ninpei War in particular some tankenhei return to senria to work for the leading figures in that conflict]

Decline

[a last hurrah with a wave of tankenhei who set off after the Taihou War, but increased stability in senria and a euclean refusal to tolerate this sort of behavior (at least when done by non-whites) cause it to fall off and fade away]

Legacy

[legacy in senria - cultural mostly, tied up in the myths of the samurai and rounin]

[legacy in xiaodong - the toki dynasty]

The reigning Hëco of Tava, Niërë I, is descended from tankenhei Yasuhiko Mizuno.

While the tankenhei (Thaenkhenhe) were less successful in conquest in Kuthina, they embedded themselves deeply into the local memory and culture. They gained a reputation as fierce and loyal warriors, creating a demand for settlers. As a result of this 8% of Kuthina's population consider themselves Senrian Kasi, and more identify as having Senrian descent. Several cities in Kuthina are former settler colonies, and Mahakram's Senrian quarter originated from this period. The tankenhei were known colloquially as 'dogs of war' (Sunakhaengsongkhram), derived from the quote "Cry 'Havoc!', and let slip the dogs of war" from Mengrai's 1712 epic poem Yai Intharatcha, where they featured prominently. Though their institution began to decline during the 19th century, Senrians and Kasi of Senrian descent continue to play a major economic and political role in Kuthina, and Thaenkhenhe is a common by-word for Senrian.

In Siamat the tankenhei had a similar reputation and role as in neighbouring Kuthina, though outside of the capital their presence was minimal. The Chensae Kingdom utilised mercenary tankenhei companies to great effect, and even established the position of Saouhkaon, derived from the Senrian sougun, as its highest military office. The Saouhkaon was initially reserved for Senrians, and the military office it oversaw primarily recruited Senrians or those of Senrian descent, though it reduced in importance in the 19th century and was abolished by the Gaullicans in 1885. The Senrian community in Chensae and Mouráng largely emigrated during the Siamat War, to Senria and Kuthina, and their cultural legacy has been challenged and obscured by the current Siamati government in favour of the larger Xiaodongese community.

The tankenhei also left an enduring mark on Tava, introducing both Senrian culture and a monarchy which still rules it to this day. The Mazhön dynasty - part of the Mizuno clan, itself a cadet branch of the Toki clan - has reigned over Tava since 1681, when Yasuhiko Mizuno was invited by the nobility of the island to topple Putëpëshe of the Babhën dynasty. The dynasty survived a turbulent 19th century, becoming a constitutional monarchy in the 20th century and accepting a union with Kuthina after independence from in 1948. They brought with them numerous Senrian settlers, a community which exists to the present day and has preserved its Tabago dialect of Senrian.

The Kagemori clan of famous tankenhei Toyokazu Kagemori still survives among Baean nobility to this day. The Kagemori estate is located outside Vijayla City, and is one of five extant Jaesans of the Gukdong rank. Gukdong Kagemori Masahito is the 19th head of the clan to swear featly to the Seonggol, having ascended to the Gukdongu in 1999. The Kagemori clan is a politically powerful clan in Vijayla, representing the Seonggol in local politics and owning a significant share of the local economy. Kagemori Masahito is a staunch Seonggolist in the Yangrim Council. Many of their Senrian retainers have still persisted to this day as distinct families, with only minor intermarriage with Baean and Vijayan locals. Descendents of tankenhei are called Seojjeongsa, derived from the Baean word for "Western Warriors". Seojjeongsa have long dominated politics in Vijayla, though their domination of the economy and politics has started to wane in the later half of the 20th century. Many wealthy Seojjeongsa families are fervent supporters of Senrian arts and media, promoting them throughout the country while attempting to stifle the importation of Xiao media.