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Ryukyuan people

Five Ryukyuan men, Meiji period.
Regions with significant populations
Okinawa Prefecture Kagoshima Prefecture (Amami) Brazil Peru California (USA) Hawaii (USA)
Languages
Ryukyuan languages, Japanese language
Religion
Buddhism, Shinto, Animism
Related ethnic groups
Yamato people, Yayoi people [1][2]

This article contains Japanese text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of kanji and kana.

The Ryukyuan or Lewchewan people^[3] (琉球民族, Ryūkyū minzoku^?, Okinawan: Ruuchuu minzuku) are the indigenous peoples of the Ryukyu Islands between the islands of Kyūshū and Taiwan. The generally recognized subgroups of Ryukyuans are Amamians, Okinawans, Miyakoans, Yaeyamans, and Yonagunians. Geographically, they live in either Okinawa Prefecture or Kagoshima Prefecture. Their languages, such as Uchinaaguchi, make up the Ryukyuan language family, one of the two branches of the Japonic language family, the other one being Japanese and its dialects.

History[link]

Early history[link]

Chinese historical writings first mentioned the Ryukyus during the 6th-7th centuries (the Sui Dynasty). Exact details of these early voyages are still unknown, and it is widely believed that the ancient Ryukyus described by the Chinese consisted of the modern day Ryukyuan Islands and Taiwan.^[4] The Ryukyu Islands were inhabited early in historical times, by migrants believed to have crossed into the northern Amami-Uchiha Islands via Kyushu. Multiple waves of migrants, including those related to the Jomon, and, later, newcomers from Kyushu, continued to populate these islands.^[5] Similarities between the Ryukyuan and Japanese languages suggests a common origin in the language of immigrants from continental Asia to the archipelago.^[6]

Many Chinese moved to Ryukyu to serve the government or to engage in business during this period. The Chinese, during the Ming dynasty, sent from Fujian 36 Chinese families at the request of the Ryukyuan King to manage oceanic dealings in the kingdom in 1392 during the Hongwu Emperor's reign. Many Ryukuan officials were descended from these Chinese immigrants, being born in China or having Chinese grandfathers.^[7] They assisted in the Ryukyuans in advancing their techonology and diplomatic relations.^[8][9][10]

Modern history[link]

In the early 17th century, the Ryukyuan Kingdom was conquered by the Satsuma-han of Kyūshū. The Satsuma domain kept the kingdom nominally alive because of the benefit from trade with China, although the Amami Archipelago came under the full control of Satsuma. During the Meiji period, the kingdom was formally abolished and Okinawa prefecture was established.

After World War II, the Ryukyus, like the rest of Japan, were occupied by the United States, but the U.S. maintained control of Okinawa even after the 1951 Treaty of San Francisco, which went into effect on April 28, 1952. Many soldiers stationed in the Ryukyu islands during World War II took aboriginal brides with them once the war ended. Twenty years later, in 1972, the Ryukyus were returned to Japan. Perceived discrimination against Ryukyuans by mainland Japanese is the cause of some resentment.^[11] Furthermore, due in part to the intense fighting in the islands during World War II, many Ryukyuans are strongly anti-military. Okinawa comprises just 0.6% of Japan's total land mass, yet U.S. military bases use about 10% of all the land in the Ryukyus, including 18.8% of the land on Okinawa Island itself. Many feel that they bear more than their fair share of the U.S.-Japan security alliance, and the presence of the military remains an issue in local politics.

Culture[link]

Cuisine[link]

The Ryukyuan people's marine environmental protection awareness is very strong.^{[citation needed]} Traditionally, Uchinanchus have a very tightly-knit family life and enjoy close personal friendships, which contributes to dietary factors that make Uchinanchu among the longest-lived people in the world. Uchinanchu tend to see themselves as bound together by their home island and, especially among older Uchinanchu, will always consider themselves from Uchinaa first and Japan second.

Okinawan food is rich in vitamins and minerals and is a good balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Although rice is a staple food, pork, seaweed, rich miso (fermented soybean) pastes, and black sugar all feature prominently in native cuisine. Most famous to tourists is the bitter melon, gōya, which is often mixed into a rice dish called gōya champurū. The taste of goya can best be described as an acquired taste by some, but others will describe its unique flavor as one that is approximated by no other vegetable.

Religion[link]

The kamekōbaka is the traditional Ryukyuan family tomb

Native Uchinaa religion places strong emphasis upon the role of the women in the community, with women holding positions as shamans and guardians of the home and hearth. Shisa statues can often be seen on or in front of houses—this relates to the ancient Uchinaa belief that the male spirit is the spirit of the outside and the female spirit is the spirit of the inside. To prevent the negative interaction or conquering of the inside spirit by the outside, the male spirits will go into the shi-shi statues while the man is inside and enter him again when he leaves. Most Uchinanchu of the younger generations are not serious adherents to this religion anymore, but many older Uchinanchu try to teach about the old ways, including dances and the language.

Arts[link]

Uchinanchu are known as a peaceful people and have always considered the arts and music as more honorable than combat skills, but if need be they will defend their honour. This can be evidenced by the revelation that, in feudal Japan, it was almost mandatory to show martial awareness by keeping a daishō (matched pair of large and small swords) in the tokonoma (living room alcove), but Uchinanchu always had a sanshin (a sort of Asian guitar or lute) in their tokonoma.

During the occupation by Japan in the mid-15th–16th centuries, the Uchinanchu were completely disarmed of all bladed weapons by the Japanese (who feared revolt). The techniques of self-defense and using farm tools as weapons against armed opponents—called "Karate" by today's martial artists—was created totally by Uchinanchu who probably incorporated some gong fu and native techniques from China into a complete system of attack and defense known simply as Te (literally meaning "hand(s)," but with a strong connotation of "manoeuvre(s)"). These martial arts varied slightly from town to town, and were named for their towns of origin, examples being Naha-te (currently known as Goju-Ryu), Tomari-te and Shuri-te.

Notable Ryukyuans[link]

• Namie Amuro; Singer(quarter-Italian).
• Yui Aragaki; Radio host, singer and TV personality.
• Nagisa Arakaki; Baseball player.
• Beni Arashiro; singer (mother is Ryukyuan)
• Yukiya Arashiro; road bicycle racer.
• Kanehisa Arime; Baseball player.
• Begin; Musical group.
• bless4; Musical group.
• Kurara Chibana; first runner-up for Miss Universe 2006
• Yuki Chikudate; singer
• Rina Chinen; singer, actress
• Hajime Chitose; singer
• Cocco; Musician.
• D-51; Musical group
• Da Pump; Musical group (4 original members).
• Lieko English; Okinawan-American model, represented Okinawa in the 1965 Miss Universe pageant, former Playboy magazine's Playmate.
• Finger 5; Musical group.
• Folder 5; Musical group.
• Fuzzy Control; Musical group.
• Gackt; Singer-songwriter, actor and author
• Gori; Comedian and actor.
• Kazuki Ganaha; Football (soccer) player.
• Yoko Gushiken; Professional boxer.
• Kenji Haga; TV Talent (half-American).
• Yoshie Hayasaka; TV Talent
• Akinobu Hiranaka; Professional boxer.
• James Iha; Musician.
• Takeshi Kaneshiro; actor and former pop singer (half-Uchinanchu half-Taiwanese)
• Shoukichi Kina; Musician and politician, currently a member of the House of Councillors.
• Kiroro; Musical duo
• Ryoko Kuninaka; Actress.
• Meisa Kuroki; Actress (quarter-American).
• Caroline Lufkin; Singer (half-Uchinanchu half-Caucasian)
• Olivia Lufkin; Singer (older sister of the above)
• Akino Kawamitsu; Singer, member of bless4
• Mitsuo Matayoshi, aka Jesus Matayoshi, leader of the World Economic Community Party
• MAX; Musical group.
• Saori Minami; Musician.
• Dj Tsukasa; Musician.
• Ai Miyazato; Golf player.
• Mongol800; Musical group
• Yukie Nakama; Actress.
• Rimi Natsukawa; Singer.
• Risa Niigaki; Singer of the pop group Morning Musume. Third-generation Okinawan.
• High and Mighty Color; rock band, whose members are all Okinawan.
• Yuusuke; Vocalist of the rock band High and Mighty Color
• Halca; Vocalist of the rock band High and Mighty Color
• Mākii; Former vocalist of the rock band High and Mighty Color
• Orange Range; Musical group.
• Rinken Band; Musical group
• Dave Roberts; Major League Baseball player (born in Okinawa, mother is Ryukyuan)
• Jake Shimabukuro; Ukulele-player (fifth generation Okinawan American from Hawaii)
• Speed; Musical group.
• Tomi Taira; Actress
• Cyril Takayama; illusionist (father is Ryukyuan)
• Brian Tee; American actor (half-Okinawan and half-Korean)
• Katsuo Tokashiki; Professional boxer.
• Takefumi Toma; Football (soccer) player.
• Tamlyn Tomita; Okinawan-American actress (quarter-Filipino)
• Masane Tsukayama; Actor, voice actor, and narrator
• Shozo Uehara; Scenario writer.
• Shintaro Yamada; Actor, fashion model, and TV talent, younger brother of Yu Yamada.
• Yu Yamada; Actress.
• Passion Yara; Comedian.
• Thelma Aoyama;Singer(quarter-Trinidad and Tobago).

Deceased people[link]

• Ethel Azama; Jazz singer.
• Nanao Sakaki; Poet.
• Gichin Funakoshi; Martial artist.
• Shō Hashi; The 2nd King of the First Sho Dynasty who united Okinawa Island.
• Hideki Irabu; Former Major League Baseball player.
• Ankō Itosu; Martial artist.
• Yeiki Kobashigawa; a soldier who received the Medal of Honor with the 100th Infantry Battalion in the United States Army during World War II.
• Sōkon Matsumura; Martial artist and one of the original Te masters of Okinawa.
• Chōjun Miyagi; Martial artist.
• Chōki Motobu; Martial artist.

In fiction[link]

• Ultraman, Many concepts originated from the Islands of Okinawa by the key creator Tetsuo Kinjo.
• Keisuke Miyagi from the Karate Kid trilogy, played by Pat Morita.
• Maxi, a character from the popular Soul series of video games
• Mugen, from the anime series Samurai Champloo

See also[link]

• Ryukyu independence movement
• List of active autonomist and secessionist movements
• Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
• Okinawan Samurai
• Okinawa prefecture
• History of Ryukyu Islands
• Ryukyuan religion
• Ethnic issues in Japan
• Government of the Ryukyu Islands
• Yamato people
• Battle of Okinawa

Further reading[link]

• Kreiner, J. (1996). Sources of Ryūkyūan history and culture in European collections. Monographien aus dem Deutschen Institut für Japanstudien der Philipp-Franz-von-Siebold-Stiftung, Bd. 13. München: Iudicium. ISBN 3-89129-493-X
• Ota, Masahide. (2000). Essays on Okinawa Problems. Yui Shuppan Co.: Gushikawa City, Okinawa, Japan. ISBN 4-946539-10-7 C0036.

An excellent collection of essays by a peace activist and former governor of Okinawa. Among the issues it discusses are those affecting the development of Ryukyuan identity.

• Ouwehand, C. (1985). Hateruma: socio-religious aspects of a South-Ryukyuan island culture. Leiden: E.J. Brill. ISBN 90-04-07710-3
• Pacific Science Congress, and Allan H. Smith. (1964). Ryukyuan culture and society: a survey. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.
• Sakiyama, R. (1995). Ryukyuan dance = Ryūkyū buyō. Naha City: Okinawa Dept. of Commerce, Industry & Labor, Tourism & Cultural Affairs Bureau.
• Yamazato, Marie. (1995). Ryukyuan cuisine. Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture: Okinawa Tourism & Cultural Affairs Bureau Cultural Promotion Division.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Okinawa Peace Network of Los Angeles, featuring information about Ryukyuan culture worldwide
• Inside Story: JAPAN, THE NEW BATTLE FOR OKINAWA (Asia Week)
• The Politics of Uchinau

Shō Hashi (尚巴志) (1371 – 1439, r. 1422-1439) was the first king of the Ryūkyū Kingdom (today Okinawa Prefecture, Japan), uniting the three kingdoms of Chūzan, Hokuzan, and Nanzan by conquest. His name as rendered in Japanese is "Shō Hashi"; in Chinese, he is known as Shang Bazhi.

Biography[link]

As lord (aji) of Soshiki Mairi, he was seen as an able, well-liked administrator within his own lands, who rose in prominence at the opening of the 15th century. He led a small rebellion against the lord of Azato district in 1402. Hashi then went on to overthrow King Bunei of Chūzan in 1404^[1] and placed his father Shō Shishō on the throne. Even with his father as King, however, Hashi held true political power, and organized envoys to Nanking, to assure China, to which the Ryūkyū kingdoms were tributaries, of his kingdom's continued cooperation and friendship. He also reorganized much of the administrative organs of the kingdom to better fit Chinese models. The people of Chūzan also quickly adopted many elements of Chinese culture, and came to be recognized as "civilized", at least somewhat more so than earlier, by the Chinese. Hashi also oversaw the expansion and embellishment of Shuri Castle, and the placement of distance markers throughout the land, marking the distance to Shuri.

Meanwhile, though Hokuzan, the neighboring kingdom to the north, held no advantages over Chūzan economically or in terms of political influence, Hashi viewed their capital city castle of Nakijin gusuku as a threat militarily. When that opportunity presented itself in 1419, after three Hokuzan aji (local lords) turned to his side, Hashi led his father's army, and conquered Nakijin in a swift series of attacks. The king of Hokuzan, along with his closest retainers, committed suicide after a fierce resistance. A year after his father's death in 1421, Hashi requested official recognition and investiture from the Chinese imperial court, and received it in due course. It may be interesting to note that, despite the nominal independence of Ryūkyū into the 19th century, this practice would continue. The court bestowed upon him the family name Shang (Shō in Japanese), registered a new title in their annals: Liuqiu Wang (琉球王, Jap: Ryūkyū-Ō, King of Ryūkyū), and sent Hashi's emissary back with a ceremonial dragon robe, and a lacquer tablet with the word Chūzan inscribed upon it. This Chūzan tablet was then placed on display outside Shuri Castle, where it remained until the 20th century.

Thus, succeeding his father as king of Chūzan in 1422, and appointing his younger brother Warden of Hokuzan, he seized Shimajiri Osato, capital of Nanzan, in 1429, from Lord Taromai. Thus uniting the island of Okinawa, he founded the Ryūkyū Kingdom and the Shō Dynasty.

Up to this point, the three kingdoms had operated on a very simple feudal model. Peasants were subsistence farmers who paid taxes to their local aji and performed various other labors and services to him; the aji in turn owed taxes and services to the head of their kingdom (hypothetically a king, but called a prince in many English-language texts on the subject). Shō Hashi did not effect drastic dramatic changes upon this system, but reinforced it as part of his unification efforts; aji were made to owe their allegiance to his royal government at Shuri, rather than becoming lordless rebels or the like upon the defeat and absorption of their kingdom. Hashi also oversaw a significant expansion of trade, particularly with China, and organized envoys to other Asian countries as well. Documents survive today chronicling a number of missions to Ayutthaya, the capital of Siam at the time, to resolve trade issues. Recognizing the importance of trade to Ryūkyū's continued prosperity, Shō Hashi promoted it strongly, and even ordered a bell cast and installed at Shuri Castle, upon which was inscribed "Ships are means of communication with all nations; the country is full of rare products and precious treasures."^[2]

Through this trade, friendly diplomatic relations, and the overall organization and unity created by Shō Hashi, Ryūkyū absorbed much of the foreign influences that would come to define its culture. Some examples include the Chinese ceremonial robes worn by kings and high officials when meeting with Chinese officials, the Japanese-inspired custom of aristocratic members of society wearing two swords, and the fusion of native, Japanese, Chinese, and Southeast Asian elements of music and dance.

Shō Hashi died in 1439, at the age of sixty-eight, having united Ryūkyū and established its place as a small, but recognized, power in the region. Upon his death, the court appointed his second son, Shō Chū, his successor, and sent emissaries to the Chinese court to ask for investiture, to the Japanese Shogun in Kyoto and to the courts of a number of other kingdoms, as diplomatic missions.

See also[link]

• List of monarchs of Ryukyu Islands
• Foreign relations of Imperial China
• Imperial Chinese missions to Ryūkyū Kingdom

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Frédéric, Louis (2002). Japan Encyclopedia. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. 10-ISBN 0-674-01753-6; 13-ISBN 978-0-674-01753-5; OCLC 48943301
• Kerr, George H. and Mitsugu Sakihara. (2000). Okinawa, the History of an Island People: The History of an Island People. Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing. 10-ISBN 0-8048-2087-2; 13-ISBN 978-0-8048-2087-5
• Smits, Gregory (1999). Visions of Ryukyu: Identity and Ideology in Early-Modern Thought and Politics. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press. 10-ISBN 0-8248-2037-1; 13-ISBN 978-0-8248-2037-4; OCLC 39633631