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5 unusual facts about Ryūkyū Kingdom


Gujin Tushu Jicheng

# Earth/Geography: Mineralogy, political geography, list of rivers and mountains, other nations (Korea, Japan, India, Kingdom of Khotan, Ryukyu Kingdom)

Kowtow

The King of the Ryukyu Kingdom also had to kneel three times on the ground and touch his head nine times to the ground (三拜九叩頭禮), to show his vassal status to the Chinese Dynasty.

Ryukyu Kingdom

As the Ryukyu Kingdom was a tributary state of the Ming Dynasty, the request was refused.

Hashi received the surname "Shō" (Chinese: "Shang") 尚 from the Ming emperor in 1421, becoming known as Shō Hashi (Chinese: Shang Bazhi) 尚巴志.

Ryukyuan ships, often provided by China, traded at ports throughout the region, which included, among others, China, Đại Việt (Vietnam), Korea, Japan, Java, Malacca, Pattani, Palembang, Siam, and Sumatra.


Fukushūen

The Kume neighborhood where the garden is located, previously known as Kumemura (Kume Village), was for centuries the center of Chinese culture and learning in the Ryūkyū Kingdom, and a symbol of the significant role of Chinese cultural influence in Okinawan history and culture.

Kumejima, Okinawa

During the time of the Ryūkyū Kingdom, Kumejima was often visited by Chinese envoys called "sapposhi" on their way to Shuri Castle on Okinawa Island.

Ryukyuan lacquerware

Formal tributary relations with China began in 1372, and in 1427, the Xuande Emperor famously bestowed upon Hashi, King of Ryukyu, the honorary family name Shō (Shang), along with a lacquer tablet inscribed with the characters for Chūzan, and a number of other lavish gifts, including lacquerwares and formal court robes.

Shimazu Tadayoshi

He held a great amount of power, trading with the Ryūkyū Kingdom and Ming Dynasty China.


see also

Fukushūen

The garden also has gates on the four cardinal directions, a number of six-sided pavilions, sculptures, bells, several inscriptions painted large on wood and stone, and in one building, a small exhibit of Chinese paintings and of a model of the style of ship that would have journeyed to Fuzhou during the time of the Ryūkyū Kingdom to bring tribute and to engage in trade.

Rin Seikō

With the Ryūkyū-kan in Fuzhou as their base, Rin Seiko and Kōchi Chōjō petitioned the government of Qing Dynasty China to rescue the Ryūkyū Kingdom from annexation by Imperial Japan, but there was little response.