Religion
This game deals with the main religions of Japan during the Sengoku Jidai: Shinto-Buddhism, Christianity and radical Jodo Shinshu Buddhism - as practiced by the Ikko Ikki extremists. Japan has long felt the influence of Buddhism from the mainland; but now, with the arrival of European traders, the "new" religion of Christianity is slowly gaining a foothold, clan by clan, as ships arrive bringing goods from the west. Whereas Buddhist clans use monks to propagate enlightened thought, those clans that have converted to Christianity field missionaries instead to spread the word of God throughout the country.
Changing Religion
Periodically, European traders - the nanban - will try to instigate trade with you. If you accept their overtures and construct a nanban trade port it will eventually be possible to change your clan's official religion to Christianity. Conversion will give you access to cheaper matchlock ashigaru that will take less time to recruit, but may alienate you from own people and, to some extent, traditional Buddhist clans. However, it is possible to keep Buddhist buildings in your provinces to appease the more traditional elements of your population. Christianity will also enable you to construct a nanban quarter at your port, giving you access to European cannon and ships. Convert religion by going to the family & council tab on the clan management panel and clicking on the dedicated button in the top left-hand corner. Remember that if you capture a province containing buildings of a different religion that their influence will still be felt, so it is best to demolish them and ensure an adequate garrison is in place to manage the shift to your own religion.