Jiyuu-jō is a castle located on the third planet of the Jiyuu System. It was designed and ordered constructed by Ketsurui-Motoyoshi Katsuko in early YE 30. It is located on an island with close proximity to Fort Tokyo in the 88th District - Akina-cho of Tokyo.

The castle is a very unique place for it is considered both a residence of the Motoyoshi Clan and an administration facility for both the First Expeditionary Fleet and Fifth Expeditionary Fleet as of YE 44. The Hummingbird Keep Museum and the Yugumo Cluster Observatory are open to the public on weekdays from 12:00 to 23:00.

Jiyuu-jō
Year Constructed	YE 30
Faction	Yamatai Star Empire
Region	Motoyoshi Colonial Sector
Planet	Jiyuu III
City	Tokyo
Type of Location	Private Residence and Local Star Army of Yamatai Facility.
Owner	Motoyoshi Clan

Jiyuu-jo was first conceived and designed on paper by Ketsurui-Motoyoshi Katsuko in YE 29. She made it to design a home for the members of the Motoyoshi Clan. When the Jiyuu System was colonized, the design went from paper to being constructed. Ironically, the formation of the United Outer Colonies in YE 30 would prevent Ketsurui-Motoyoshi Katsuko from ever living in the palace. Her traitor son, Motoyoshi Tio would utilize the castle as his home until it was bombed by the Mishhuvurthyar when the colonies fell in YE 32; it was gutted by fire and suffered massive structural damage and it sat unoccupied for several years.

In YE 41, after two years of work, all thanks to the efforts of Kage Yaichiro the castle was restored and upgraded. It was then made to finally serve as the residence of Ketsurui-Motoyoshi Katsuko when the First Expeditionary Fleet transferred their Headquarters to Jiyuu III.

In YE 44, the castle was renovated again to accommodate the arrival of Shimizu-Motoyoshi Akina (清水本吉明菜) and her family.

Jiyuu-jō is an elegant castle of three keeps, a central castle, and three enclosed baileys. The color scheme is the vivid dark purple of the Evening Orchid with white trim and accents. Its tapered gable rooftops are often depicted in photos and paintings of the Motoyoshi Channel. Built on a stabilized platform of land that was built up a few meters off-shore and reinforced behind the walls of a breakwater, it is a towering landmark. It is also located just off the coast from Fort Tokyo. In the reinforced subterranean structure it has access to direct road and train access which connects it to Tokyo's transit system. A small landing pad structure has been built on the north-east corner of the castle for private shuttle access and Ketsurui-Motoyoshi Katsuko's Type 30 Space Yacht, the Heion. The landing area is maintained by the First Expeditionary Fleet and Fifth Expeditionary Fleet jointly as it is utilized for the transport of both Taisho Ketsurui-Motoyoshi Katsuko and Taisho Shimizu-Motoyoshi Akina (清水本吉明菜).

Yosano Yoshiyo is assigned to handle calls to Jiyuu-jō and nearby Ainu Orchards.

The exterior beauty of a traditionally designed Yamataian castle in paradise.

A new addition, added in YE 41, as part of the castle's restoration; the rock garden features a unique mosaic of locally extracted stone and minerals arranged into the symbol of the Platycodon grandiflorus found on the Flags of the Yamatai Star Empire.

Named after the infamous ships of the Akuro line, including the YSS Akuro III that served as the backbone of the Fifth Expeditionary Fleet. It is surrounded by lush gardens filled with exotic flowers and trees and is often a place where weddings and important ceremonies are held. There is a statue of Shimizu-Motoyoshi Akina (清水本吉明菜) and a tiered water fountain on the path that leads to the gazebo.

A sprawling garden of cherry trees and colorful flowering plants and bushes planted in the honor of Empress Himiko I. It has a twisting loop path that provides a leisurely walk through the well-maintained garden. In the nighttime, paper lanterns are lit along the path for illumination so that the gardens can be enjoyed after sunset.

A small gable-roofed structure that contains an obelisk upon which the names Motoyoshi Clan members that have fallen are recorded. Rumors have circulated that secret compartments located in the shrine contain Soul Transfer data for higher ranking members of the clan.

One of the enclosed baileys is the location of a large outdoor kitchen and dining area used during favorable weather to entertain the guests of Ketsurui-Motoyoshi Katsuko. The Area also has a large heart-shaped pool, sauna, and two hot tubs for guests and residents to enjoy. A small brick dance floor and outdoor DJ booth are located along the south wall of the enclosure.

An addition added in YE 44 is an improved berth and docking facilities for the Dream of Taiie, a replica of an antiquated galleon-style sailing vessel owned by Ketsurui-Motoyoshi Katsuko. The area includes a ramp down the built-up base of the island, an extended pier, and a small shipyard shop. There are several mooring spots for invited guests in a small marked area off the end of the pier.

The grand interior of Jiyuu-jo.

When not on Gemini Star Fortress or at their Tokyo based offices, Taisho Ketsurui-Motoyoshi Katsuko and Taisho Shimizu-Motoyoshi Akina (清水本吉明菜) of the Fifth Expeditionary Fleet and First Expeditionary Fleet respectively conducts their duties from their home office in Jiyuu-jō.

Katsuko designed the office originally after the Taisho's Office on the YSS Akuro III. It features the same transparent “V” shaped desk situated in front of a massive transparent window that overlooks the crystal blue water of the Motoyoshi Channel. A high-back black leather chair with a SPINE interface sits behind the desk, with two smaller leather padded chairs for visitors sitting facing her chair. A second desk of the same design was added in a renovation in YE 44 for Shimizu-Motoyoshi Akina (清水本吉明菜). With the same access to PANTHEON as they would have anywhere in the Star Army of Yamatai, They can conduct any command and control actions from their home office.

A dining hall and massive kitchen built as a memorial for those who lost their lives in the Port City of Seijin no Umi on Taiie IV. The walls are painted in whimsical murals depicting the fallen city's rocky shore and spectacular ocean views. The floors are made of rare Taiie marble mined before the disaster, similar to that found on the Takumi Command Deck. Seven long tables, arranged with one across the front of the hall as the head table, and three arranged in two rows in front of it provide seating for up to a hundred guests and is ideal for hosting conferences and conventions.

Named after Ketsurui Yui, the Dojo at Jiyuu-jō is a place to train the mind and body, very similar to the Star Army Dojo found on Star Army of Yamatai ships. It is often utilized by higher-ranking officers and those assigned to staff the castle.

“The Hall of Legends” purposely named similar to the YSS Densetsu, the flagship of the Seventh Fleet, the former command of Ketsurui-Motoyoshi Katsuko. The walls are painted in vivid images of the Katsuko's Nebula. A statue of each member of the Motoyoshi Clan leads the way towards the Taisho's Office with a statue of Ketsurui-Motoyoshi Katsuko and Ketsurui Yui to the right and left of the door to the office.

Located at the top of the main tower are the private rooms of Ketsurui-Motoyoshi Katsuko. It includes a large bedroom suite and a luxury bathhouse designed for the comfort of the castle's main occupant and only the most intimate of guests. Access to this area of the castle is highly restricted as Katsuko maintains a high level of privacy.

The Yugumo Observatory was originally added in YE 41, and was located in a small globular turret on the eastern section of the castle. In YE 44, a new stand-alone building was built on the northern side of the island. The observatory has a real-time volumetric projection of the cluster that fills the entire space. Guests can utilize hand gestures and interface with the projection to zoom in and out from objects from the perspective of a person standing at a location within the cluster.

The new building also includes an exterior patio area designed to allow amateur astronomers to set up their telescopes and have a comfortable place to view the stars.

One of the keep towers has been converted into a public museum which contains historical records and artifacts about the colonization of Taiie IV and Jiyuu III by the Fifth Expeditionary Fleet. The exhibits are rotating collections contributed by Ketsurui-Motoyoshi Katsuko, The Motoyoshi Clan and the Star Army of Yamatai.

You can arrive at Jiyuu-jo by boat or by shuttle or small starship. It is connected to the Tokyo underground transit but the line is private only for the use of the Motoyoshi Clan.

The members of the Motoyoshi Clan are in residence here, their service staff, as well as a small administrative staff from the First Expeditionary Fleet and Fifth Expeditionary Fleet.

The Characters that are located here:¹⁾

Roleplaying Opportunities at Jiyuu-jo:

• Meet with members of the Motoyoshi Clan.
• Visit the Yugumo Observatory.
• Visit the Hummingbird Keep Museum.
• Take in the beautiful views of the Motoyoshi Channel.

Might be true, might not:

• The Motoyoshi have a secret base hidden under the castle.
• Secret ST backups of Motoyoshi Clan members are hidden here.
• There is a submarine facility off the coast of the island.

Andrew created this article on 2019/04/20 22:05. Andrew update this article on 2022/11/08 02:56.

• Jiyuu-jo art by Andrew using Midjourney Bot.
• Original Approved by Syaoran on 4/25/2019
• Update approved by Wes on 2022/11/17.²⁾