- Japanese/Okinawan: 貝摺奉行 (Kaizuri bugyou / Keezui bujou)
The Keezui bujô, or Kaizuri bugyô (lit. "Magistrate of Mother-of-Pearl Inlay"), was a high government official in the Kingdom of Ryûkyû who oversaw the production of lacquerwares for the court, and for gifts and tribute. The office dealt not only with the design and production of such objects, but also oversaw the production & acquisition of raw materials, funding, and the training of expert lacquerware artisans. An office known as the naden 納殿 oversaw the distribution of raw materials to the various artisans' studios and workshops.[1]
It is unclear when the office was first established. Its offices were relocated from the Shôkoku-ji to a site just outside the castle grounds in 1745. That site is today home to the Okinawa Prefectural University of the Arts.
The sanshin-uchi, who oversaw the construction of fine musical instruments for the court, served under the keezui bujô.[2]
