Keikai

Keikai (红凯; keikai) is the largest city in Chiha Prefecture, and the seat of the regional government. It lies north of the Tao River, which runs past its southern ward. As of 2018, the city has a population of 10 million.

The city is served by one airport, Keikai Airport. However, the Jindo Airport is close enough that, theoretically, a Keikai citizen could travel from there instead. An airport shuttle bus operates all year round, though does not service privately-owned hotels or bed and breakfasts.

Etymology
The name 红凯 comes from the characters 红 (kei; "resplendent, brilliant") and 凯 (kaiten; "victory") and is a reference to the Battle of Chiha which took place in 1212. The battle, fought between the Ikaya clan and the Kankachi clan, was the deciding factor in the success of the Ikaya conquest of the prefecture, and left the city in their control after a triumphant victory.

Before the Battle of Chiha, the city was known as 桌党 (akitō; "red port") and was under the government of the Kankachi clan. After the victory of the Ikaya clan, its name was changed to its current moniker. In 1456, the city was given the nickname 栾志 (ukoza; "blue crown") as a reference to Emperor Uyama's coronation which was held in Keikai.

Early history
Keikai began as a village in the early 6th century, although its exact founders are unknown. Notably, it was one of the first settlements in western Kanton to switch from hunter-gatherer to agricultural lifestyle. Although there was certainly farming activity present in the late 7th century, it is clear that the inhabitants were much more concerned with fishing.

For almost six hundred years, until the 1400s, the powerful Ikaya clan resided within the walls of the city. During this short span of time, Keikai grew in numbers as hundreds of members of the Ikaya clan flooded into the town. After the chief's death, the city peaked at a population of 350,000, and continued to grow further. This marked the beginning of Keikai's transformation into a more significant city.

From 900-1200, Keikai saw a great increase in religious practice and pioty, with an influx of Qiren monks creating districts of religion (also known as 宗昆, soukun) in the northern ward. This influenced the wider society, with numerous temples and shrines appearing all over the city. The most famous of these is the Keikai Golden Temple, in which hundreds of rulers' tombs are located.

In the early 1200s, Keikai's eastern ward became something of a port town, and the humble harbour which had existed there began to blossom into an important trading post. Boats coming from other parts of Kanton, especially the south and east, often frequented the harbour and brought imports for trading and sale. In the same way, Keikai also sent exports through its harbour. Nowadays, the port is fittingly known as Keikai Harbour.

20th century
In 1907, Ukidan University was founded in Keikai's western ward, offering higher education for the masses. Although starting off as a small and underfunded institution, it is now one of the most famous and respected universities in the country.

In 1908, Keikai absorbed three neighbouring towns (Shiyama, Ryōdai and Kanno) into its eastern circuit. After only a few years, the remnants of these settlements devolved to a slum area. In 1998, successful efforts were made to refurbish the region and make it habitable once more; it is no longer considered to be a slum.

In 1945, Keikai began its large-scale manufacture of seafood, which was a big leap for the economy and brought much prosperity to the region. In the mid-1950s, hundreds of canning factories were built around Hongkai in designated 'industry pits', bringing a new era of wealth and employment to the town. Unfortunately many of them would be closed around twenty years later due to health and safety risks.

In 1934, the Emperor's Glasshouse was built in Keikai's eastern ward under commission of Emperor Jumofu.

In 1957 Keikai's second university, Keikai Institute of Arts and Technology, was established due to a growing demand for higher creative education.

On 20th May 1965 at 8:03 AM, the entire city of Keikai was put on hold for two minutes in mourning for the late Emperor Jumofu. This event took place in over 50 cities nationwide, and became a point of great interest in international newspapers.

In 1977, Keikai became the seat of Chiha Prefectural Government. In the same year, the city underwent a period of great restructure and repair. Almost half of the entire city area was completely renovated, with hundreds of old buildings demolished or fixed up. The infrastructure, which had been shaky previously, was reworked with great success.

In 1989, Keikai City Government helped to fund the building of the Ashihara Ski Resort on the slopes of Ashihara in the Ikumo Mountains.

21st century
In 2001, Keikai's first subway system was installed, surprisingly late compared to other major cities in the country. The system, named Keikai Sub-rail, connects almost all of the city except for a few out-lying areas.

In 2011, a statue of Keikai-born politician Heikumo Fuiwa was erected in the city centre.

Geography
Keikai lies north of the Tao River, which serves as the city's main source of water. Its closest city is Shido, though it is also near to Jindo. Both cities are connected to Keikai by bus and train route.

Keikai also has a number of parks, the largest being Keikai Gardens, Emperor's Glasshouse and Sunshine Park. Keikai Gardens, which is the largest of the three, is often used as a festival site, meeting ground and occasionally, a venue for music events.

Climate
Keikai has a generally cool climate, with mild summers and snowy winters. Actually it is quite rare for any city to have such heavy snowfall during winter; Keikai often has over 6 ft of it every year. Summertime is warm but not humid, while winters can reach sub-zero temperatures. June is the rainy season, as it is for most of the west coast.

Economy
The tertiary sector dominates most of Keikai's economy. Major industries include retail, tourism and white-collar office work. Keikai is also known for its excellent seafood, which is routinely exported both nationally and globally; most of Kanton's iconic seafood dishes originated in the Keikai area.

Tourism is an additional part of Keikai's economy - because of its rich cultural history, foreigners and Kantonese alike are fascinated by the city.

Places of interest

 * The Old Factories - a tour featuring some of the now-abandoned canning factories on the outskirts of Hongkai's western wards, built in the 1950s and preserved as buildings of historical and cultural interest.
 * Keikai Fishing Museum - a museum dedicated to documenting Keikai's growth from its humble beginnings, filled with interesting relics.
 * Keikai Golden Temple - the most iconic of Keikai's many temples. Named for its unique golden brick, the temple is famous for holding the tomb of Emperor Uyama, who was crowned in Keikai in the 15th century. Interesting religious artifacts are also held there, along with the tombs of other ancient rulers.
 * The Lantern Market - a night-market held every two weeks in the western ward, lit solely by colourful paper lanterns. Streetlights are turned off especially for the event. Hundreds of stalls are set up, selling traditional crafts, street-foods and souvenirs.
 * Keikai Traditional Bathhouse - a bathhouse preserved from the 1600s. With a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere, it is a popular destination for tourists.

Parks and gardens

 * Keikai Gardens
 * Emperor's Glasshouse
 * Sunshine Park
 * Keikai Crabapple Park
 * Golden Temple Sun Gardens
 * Keikai Botanical Gardens
 * Ukidan University Public Gardens
 * Jiseiki Park

Events/festivals Edit
January: the popular winter festival Wintermeet. The main site is at Keikai Gardens, however it has also been held at Ukidan University previously. Participants can enjoy multiple events through the week, including firework displays, fairground nights, traditional dances and more.

March: the annual West Coast Gathering. A celebration of the history and culture of Chiha's east coastal region, mostly focusing on the history of Keikai. Usually, mass dances and singalongs are held using sea-shanties, traditional poetry and old story-songs.

July: the Keikai Summer Festival. Usually held in various different places throughout the city, it lasts for two weeks (1st-14th of July). Participants celebrate everything that summer brings - good food and drink, warm weather, and general prosperity. Fairs are often held every three days or so.

August: Chiha Shrine Walk. Held on the first week of August and lasting for three or four weeks. The public is invited to come along on a tour of the multiple shrines that are scattered along the outskirts of Chiha as part of the harvest thanksgiving. Although named after the prefecture, it begins in Keikai's northern ward.

October: the Keikai Harvest Festival. Very similar in content and length to the Summer Festival. Events include communal feasting, dancing, and costume parades.