− | Archaeological excavations have uncovered Chinese ceramics from the 12th-14th centuries in an area in the northern portion of the island identified as the ancient Shinzato village. Beginning in the 15th century, ''[[maransen]]'' trading ships connected Taketomi and other parts of the [[Yaeyama Islands]] with [[Okinawa Island]] and the [[Miyako Islands]].<ref>Explanatory plaques on Taketomi Island.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/53891112789/sizes/k/]</ref> | + | Archaeological excavations have uncovered Chinese ceramics from the 12th-14th centuries in an area in the northern portion of the island identified as the ancient Shinzato village. Beginning in the 15th century, ''[[maransen]]'' trading ships connected Taketomi and other parts of the [[Yaeyama Islands]] with [[Okinawa Island]] and the [[Miyako Islands]].<ref name=plaque>Explanatory plaques on Taketomi Island.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/53891112789/sizes/k/]</ref> |
| + | It is said that the six chiefs who first led the development of Taketomi Island came there from other islands, including Okinawa, [[Kumejima]], [[Yakushima]], and [[Tokunoshima]].<ref name=plaque/> |