The Kingdom of

Ryukyu
In the past, Okinawa was known as the Ryukyu Kingdom.
Before that, it was referred to as Nanzan, Chūzan, and Hokuzan during its division into three principalities in the 15th century.
The name “Okinawa” itself became more commonly used after the annexation of the Ryukyu Kingdom by Japan in the late 19th century.

Okinawa and the Ryukyu Kingdom

  1. What Are Principalities? A principality is a region or territory ruled by a prince or a ruler of noble birth, often with considerable autonomy. In the case of the Ryukyu Kingdom, the term refers to the three independent, semi-autonomous territories (often described as “states” or “domains”) that existed before the kingdom was unified.

  2. The Ryukyu Kingdom (1429–1879)
    The Ryukyu Kingdom was an independent kingdom that existed from 1429 until it was annexed by Japan in 1879. The kingdom ruled over an archipelago that stretched from Okinawa Island in the north to smaller islands like the Miyako Islands and the Yaeyama Islands in the south, and down to the region near Taiwan.

    Before unification under one monarchy, the islands were divided into three major principalities, each with its own local rulers. These principalities were:

    • Azi (located in the northern part of Okinawa Island)
    • Nakijin (central Okinawa)
    • Shuri (in the southern part of Okinawa Island)

    These three principalities were constantly in conflict with one another, often vying for power. Their relations, including alliances and rivalries, shaped the early history of the region.

  3. Unification Under King Shō Hashi
    In 1429, King Shō Hashi of the Shō Dynasty successfully united these three principalities—Azi, Nakijin, and Shuri—into a single unified kingdom, marking the official start of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Shuri became the capital of the new kingdom. The unification of the principalities under a single ruler established a powerful, centralized monarchy, allowing the kingdom to thrive as a maritime trading hub with important relationships with neighboring China, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

  • The Fall of the Ryukyu Kingdom
    Over the centuries, the Ryukyu Kingdom maintained strong cultural and political ties to China. However, during the 17th and 18th centuries, as Japan expanded its influence and power, the kingdom became increasingly pressured by Japan. In 1879, the Meiji government annexed the Ryukyu Islands, formally dissolving the Ryukyu Kingdom. Okinawa was incorporated into Japan as a prefecture, and the old kingdom’s political structure was replaced by the Japanese prefectural system.

  • The Name “Okinawa”
    After the annexation, the term Okinawa evolved. Originally, “Okinawa” referred to the largest island in the Ryukyu Archipelago. After the dissolution of the Ryukyu Kingdom, the name came to represent the entire Okinawa Prefecture, which includes Okinawa Island and several surrounding islands like Ishigaki, Miyako, and Kerama Islands.

  • The Ryukyu Kingdom was a historical kingdom made up of three principalities: Azi, Nakijin, and Shuri, each ruled by local chieftains before they were unified in 1429 by King Shō Hashi.

 

  • Okinawa today refers to the largest island in the Ryukyu Archipelago, and it is also the name of the modern Okinawa Prefecture, which consists of Okinawa Island and more than 150 smaller islands.

 

  • The principalities of the Ryukyu Kingdom were essentially independent regions (referred to as han in Japanese), and their rulers (often called daimyo or chieftains) governed them until the kingdom was unified under a single monarchy.

Although the Ryukyu Kingdom was absorbed into Japan in 1879, its influence can still be seen in Okinawan culture today. The region retains many traces of its royal heritage, including in the following aspects:

  • Traditional Arts: The sanshin (a three-stringed musical instrument) and Eisa dance (a traditional folk dance performed during festivals) are key components of Okinawan culture that trace their origins back to the kingdom’s royal court.

 

  • Language: Uchināguchi, the traditional Okinawan language, is a direct descendant of the languages spoken during the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Efforts are underway to preserve this endangered language.

 

  • Architecture: Shurijo Castle, the former royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom, stands as a symbol of Okinawa’s royal past. Though damaged by fire in 2019, restoration efforts are ongoing to return it to its former glory.

Okinawa today is not just one island, but the name of a prefecture that encompasses Okinawa Island and many smaller islands. Historically, it was part of the independent Ryukyu Kingdom, which was composed of several principalities (regions ruled by local chieftains), namely Azi, Nakijin, and Shuri. These principalities were unified in the 15th century by King Shō Hashi into the Ryukyu Kingdom.

After the kingdom’s dissolution in 1879, Okinawa became a Japanese prefecture. Yet, the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Ryukyu Kingdom, with its complex system of principalities, continues to shape Okinawan identity today, making it one of Japan’s most unique and culturally distinct regions.

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