Journal Entry #1

Three days ago, in the early morning, my new sister was born. She was named Haru in honor of today being the first day of spring. When the council of five came to visit, they gave her the fox as her Patron Animal. This evening my family and relatives will host a huge feast for all of our friends and we will all celebrate my mom and Haru coming home.
Earlier when I went to the bakery to get a loaf of lavender soda bread, which is my moms favorite, and Mr. Jenkins behind the counter gave me an extra loaf for free! Mom will be so pleased. After dinner there will be dancing and music and my grandfather will be telling stories about his travels around the world.
I have to help Aunt Pearl make the stew now, so I will write more tomorrow~

(Journal entry from: Eric Lynn, 13 years old)

Our Goverment System

Niwa's government will consist of a council of five people. Three of these people will be elected by popular vote. The other two will stay on council until wish to give up their position. The one going out of office then would select another to take their place. Before the can be officially on the council, the rest of them must agree that this new personnel is right for the job. The council will normally be filled with a master of one of the four main professions in Niwa which are: farmer, cook, scientist or trader

About every two weeks the council holds a "town meeting". There, anybody who has a disputed issue are encouraged to bring it up at said meeting. IF the council cannot come to an agreement that day, they will have two weeks to come up to a decision.

As for enforcing laws, this is a utopia, there isn't much need for major law enforcing. Though if there is someone that needs punishment, the council will decide how long and how much. Normally if something is done to another person, the person who did the wrong will have to work or make up whatever they did. A lot like community service, but worse.
This system has worked for years and the people of Niwa trust this systerm fully.

A few Niwa's Rules...

1. A promise is almost a law - What this is basically saying is that if you say your going to do it, it is going to be done, one way or another. We enjoy this rule because, first off, it makes it so people aren't disappointed, second, it is important to keep to your word, if you don't then people get lazy and that is what we try to avoid every day.



2. Be kind to Mother Nature- People in Niwa are all about staying in touch with nature, if you do any harm to this great planet you do not belong here. This is one of our most harshly punished rule.



3. Never take more than you need- To keep our society clean and nice, it is a horrible waste to have waste. A common home motto is, you can always take more. If need be, go ahead and take more, but please don't take so much that you cant handle it. This apply's to many things, food, work, and materials.



4. Learn or teach something everyday- People in Niwa are busy people, and we like being busy. We also enjoy new experiences, and the passage of knowledge and stories. Also this rule makes people interact more and that is wonderful!



5. Keep your honor- You should never do something truly foolish. People shouldn't put others down either or themselves.



6. Do not take an other's property without permission- That property must mean something to that person, without working for it, or getting permission, it is forbidden to take an others hard work.


7. Every question deserves and answer- In Niwa we believe knowledge is power. Questions and encouraged and answers should be thought out. You do not want to be the one who spread the false knowledge.


8. Never defile your body- As is your possessions, your body was hard work. Defiling your body would counter your honor. You as well count as a work of nature so be kind to yourself and others.
   
   
9. Never punish more than necessary- Just because a wrong was done, do not counter it with another wrong. Justice must be served, but not served violently. Pity must have balance with revenge. Here in Niwa that is expected.
   
10. Always be open to new ideas and people- We are all different and that is a good thing. Never put someone down just because they are different. If everybody was the same, there would be no need for a utopia, because the world would be one. So keep the idea of Niwa in your heart and love all that deserves it.

4. Our Grand Animals

In Niwa, we do not have one specific animal as our symbol. We respect all animal life but there are three that we revere more than most. These three are the Patron Animals of our three original founders. The animals are the Fennec Fox, Koi Fish, and The King Bird of Paradise.

Motto and seal

Love and Respect what the Earth has given us.

We believe that you should respect all living things and in turn they will provide for you.

2. Niwa philosophy

We believe that present day people have lost touch with nature. The correct balance of current day technology and previously known respect for nature could make a desirable society. We believe that people have lost touch with the world around them and only care for material possessions. Because of this people have become more indifferent towards one another so almost everything has lost it's personal touch.Our society embraces peoples unique talents and values hard work.
Everyone is welcome to come and go as they please. If you desire a break from everyday city life, you may come to experience our peaceful garden city. To the outside world Niwa may seem like a blast from the past, but to the citizens of our utopia, it is one of the best ways of life. We have a local blacksmith, multiple farmers and taylors. Also a few biological scientists and astronomers, Niwa may have some old styles, but Niwas definitly is not old fashion.

1. Welcome to Niwa

Niwa means garden in Japanese, and in this utopia there is always a garden in view. We believe a utopia should be filled with more nature than industrial advancements. There are thousands of different types of plants and creatures. Also, when a child is first born, it is given a patron animal, or an animal that is felt best represents them.