Ryukyu Kingdom: Map & History
The Ryukyu Kingdom was a kingdom in the Ryukyu Islands from 1429 until 1872, when it was reorganized as the Ryukyu Domain, before being fully abolished in 1879.
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The Ryukyu Kingdom was a kingdom in the Ryukyu Islands from 1429 until 1872, when it was reorganized as the Ryukyu Domain, before being fully abolished in 1879. It was ruled as a tributary state of the Ming dynasty by the Ryukyuan monarchy, who unified Okinawa Island to end the Sanzan period, and subsequently extended the kingdom to the Amami Islands and Sakishima Islands. The Ryukyu Kingdom played a central role in the maritime trade networks of medieval East Asia and Southeast Asia despite its small size. The Ryukyu Kingdom became a vassal state of the Satsuma Domain of Japan after the invasion of Ryukyu in 1609 but retained de jure independence until it was transformed into the Ryukyu Domain by the Empire of Japan in 1872. The Ryukyu Domain was abolished by the Meiji government in 1879 and reorganized as Okinawa Prefecture, and the Ryukyuan monarchy was integrated into the new Japanese nobility.
Ryukyu Kingdom in Depth
History
In the 14th century small domains scattered on Okinawa Island were unified into three principalities: Hokuzan (北山; Northern Mountain), Chūzan (中山; Central Mountain), and Nanzan (南山; Southern Mountain). This was known as the Sanzan (三山; Three Mountains) period. Hokuzan, which constituted much of the northern half of the island, was the largest in terms of land area and military strength but was economically the weakest of the three. Nanzan constituted the southern portion of the island. Chūzan lay in the center of the island and was economically the strongest. Its political capital at Shuri, Nanzan was adjacent to the major port of Naha, and Kume-mura, the center of traditional Chinese education.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Ryukyu Kingdom (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Ryukyu Kingdom: Key Facts
| Capital | Shuri |
|---|---|
| Official languages | Ryukyuan, Okinawan |
| Religions | Ryukyuan religion, Confucianism |
| Form of government | monarchy |
| Currencies | Ryūkyū Tsūhō, Taise Tsūhō, Yongle Tongbao |
| Founded | 1429 |
| Dissolved | 1879 |
Succeeded by
- Ryūkyū Domain
- Ryūkyū Province
- Okinawa Prefecture
Facts from Wikidata Q28025 (CC0).
Ryukyu Kingdom Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Ryukyu Kingdom appears, with the other states of the time.
Ryukyu Kingdom: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Ryukyu Kingdom exist?
The Ryukyu Kingdom is dated to 1429 CE – 1520 CE, in the High & Late Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom?
The capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom was Shuri.
How large was the Ryukyu Kingdom at its peak?
At its peak in 1520 the Ryukyu Kingdom covered about 2,617 km².
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