Yamatai

Yamatai-koku (邪馬台国) or Yamaichi-koku (邪馬壹國) is the Sino-Japanese name of an ancient country in Wa (Japan).

During the late Yayoi period (circa 300 BCE – 300 CE). The Chinese history Records of the Three Kingdoms first recorded Yamatai as the domain of the shaman Queen Himiko. Generations of Japanese historians, linguists, and archeologists had debated where Yamatai is located.

Himiko, the first Sun Queen of Yamati, possessed great power. Prior to her death, Himiko chose a successor. When Himiko died, her followers transferred her soul to the body of her successor. This processes is repeated each time the new body dies off.

However, at some point during the Kamakura period (circa 1185–1333 CE) one high priestess refused to be the new life for the Sun Queen and committed suicide. This caused the settlers to flee the island.

Due to the failed ritual, Himiko became angered. As her anger grew, it caused a wave of storms that would guard the island so no one would ever escape. For thousands of years, boats began to disappear mysteriously without a trace. They called this area the Dragon's Triangle. During World War II, the island was under Japanese military occupation. They allowed a Nazi scientific expedition to take place on the island. The goal of the scientists was to learn how to use the power of the storms as a weapon, but their luck ran out when the Oni - warriors of Himiko - slaughtered them all.

This is the island where the Tomb Raider (2013) events take place. The Endurance sails towards the Dragon's Triangle in search of Yamatai. However, due to a violent storm the ship splits in two, leaving the surviving crew members stranded on the island.