Changes

According to some sources, Ryukyuan resistance fell quickly, but the invading forces simply took their time in an orderly operation. Other sources, however, indicate that 70 of the 75 ships sent to Amami Ôshima were knocked off course by the weather; the force was split, with Hisataka and Masamune landing on different parts of the island. According to these accounts, they were met by roughly 3000 Ryukyuan defenders, hunkered down in wooden fortifications, who were only finally defeated in the end through the use of the [[arquebus]], which would prove a key advantage for the Satsuma force throughout the invasion.

According to some sources, Ryukyuan resistance fell quickly, but the invading forces simply took their time in an orderly operation. Other sources, however, indicate that 70 of the 75 ships sent to Amami Ôshima were knocked off course by the weather; the force was split, with Hisataka and Masamune landing on different parts of the island. According to these accounts, they were met by roughly 3000 Ryukyuan defenders, hunkered down in wooden fortifications, who were only finally defeated in the end through the use of the [[arquebus]], which would prove a key advantage for the Satsuma force throughout the invasion.

Having secured Amami Ôshima, the invaders moved on to [[Tokunoshima]] on 3/20, where significant skirmishes occurred at Shutoku and Kametsu. The invaders met with fierce resistance from locals armed with farming implements, kitchen knives and the like, led by the son-in-law of top royal advisor [[Tei Do|Tei Dô]], and by two unnamed brothers. At least six or seven samurai were killed, along with 200-300 Ryukyuan warriors.

Having secured Amami Ôshima, a portion of the invaders moved on to [[Tokunoshima]] on 3/18, where significant skirmishes occurred at Akitoku<!--秋徳--> and Kametsu<!--亀津-->. The invaders met with fierce resistance from formal Ryukyu guardsmen or warriors, led by the son-in-law of top royal advisor [[Tei Do|Tei Dô]], and by two unnamed brothers, accompanied by locals armed with farming implements, kitchen knives and the like. A group led by Kabayama Hisataka was stuck on Amami Ôshima, waiting for good winds, finally arriving on Tokunoshima on 3/20.<ref name=miyako>''Miyakonojô to Ryûkyû ôkoku'' 都城と琉球王国, Miyakonojô Shimazu Residence (2012), 24.</ref> The invaders, armed with ''[[teppo|teppô]]'' (arquebuses), eventually defeated the island's defenders on 3/22; at least six or seven samurai were killed in the clashes, along with 200-300 Ryukyuan warriors.

A number of Ryukyuan ships, sent from Okinawa on 3/10, upon word of the attacks on Ôshima, skirted past Tokunoshima on 3/23. The Satsuma forces failed to intercept them. The following day, the samurai seized [[Okinoerabujima]]; though the rocky shore looked as though it would prove a landing difficult, in the end the tides carried the Japanese ships over the obstacles, and the island surrendered with little or no fighting.

A number of Ryukyuan ships, sent from Okinawa on 3/10, upon word of the attacks on Ôshima, skirted past Tokunoshima on 3/23. The Satsuma forces failed to intercept them. The following day, the samurai seized [[Okinoerabujima]]; though the rocky shore looked as though it would prove a landing difficult, in the end the tides carried the Japanese ships over the obstacles, and the island surrendered with little or no fighting.

Unten, the chief harbor of the northern parts of the island and one of the only places where the invaders might easily make a landing, is also the site of [[Nakijin gusuku]], formerly the chief [[gusuku|castle]] of the kingdom of [[Hokuzan]]; a smaller fortress, called [[Nago gusuku]], lay nearby. The invaders therefore seized first [[Kourijima]], which lies just off the coast from Nakijin, and used this as a base from which to launch their attack. Kourijima fell quickly, and a request for reinforcements was sent to the royal capital of [[Shuri]].

Unten, the chief harbor of the northern parts of the island and one of the only places where the invaders might easily make a landing, is also the site of [[Nakijin gusuku]], formerly the chief [[gusuku|castle]] of the kingdom of [[Hokuzan]]; a smaller fortress, called [[Nago gusuku]], lay nearby. The invaders therefore seized first [[Kourijima]], which lies just off the coast from Nakijin, and used this as a base from which to launch their attack. Kourijima fell quickly, and a request for reinforcements was sent to the royal capital of [[Shuri]].

Sources are sadly sparse on the details of the fall of Nakijin. The fortress was commanded by [[Sho Kokushi|Shô Kokushi]], the king's son; [[Nago Ryoho|Nago Ryôhô]], a member of the [[Sanshikan]] (the king's top three advisors), led a force of 1000 from Shuri to aid in their defense. Some sources indicate that the samurai reconnaissance force sent on 3/27 discovered the fortress abandoned; others, however, describe a battle on 3/26 in which Nago Ryôhô lost half his force, and note the death of Shô Kokushi on 3/28. Attempts were made on 3/27 to negotiate a settlement with the invaders, but Kabayama Hisataka refused to even meet with the Ryukyuan representatives.

Sources are sadly sparse on the details of the fall of Nakijin. The fortress was commanded by [[Sho Kokushi|Shô Kokushi]] (Nakijin ''[[anji]]'' Chôyô)<!--今帰仁按司朝容・尚克祉-->, the king's son; [[Nago Ryoho|Nago Ryôhô]], a member of the [[Sanshikan]] (the king's top three advisors), led a force of 1000 from Shuri to aid in their defense. Some sources indicate that the samurai reconnaissance force sent on 3/27 discovered the fortress abandoned; others, however, describe a battle on 3/26 in which Nago Ryôhô lost half his force, and note the death of Shô Kokushi on 3/28. Attempts were made on 3/27 to negotiate a settlement with the invaders, but Kabayama Hisataka refused to even meet with the Ryukyuan representatives.

Word of the fall of Nakijin spread quickly, and threw the northern section of the island, known as Kunigami, into chaos and panic. The invaders abandoned Kourijima, seizing [[Yomitan]], a harbor a short distance to the south, which would serve as their base of operations from here on. The force then split, one arm moving south on land, burning villages as it went, while a separate force traveled by sea to Naha, the kingdom's chief port, and a key point of access to Shuri.

Word of the fall of Nakijin spread quickly, and threw the northern section of the island, known as Kunigami, into chaos and panic. The invaders abandoned Kourijima, seizing [[Yomitan]], a harbor a short distance to the south, which would serve as their base of operations from here on. The force then split, one arm moving south on land, burning villages as it went, while a separate force traveled by sea to Naha, the kingdom's chief port, and a key point of access to Shuri.

[[Kyan ueekata]] once again led a team to seek to negotiate with the invaders, and was again refused. On their return to Shuri, bad weather forced them to make port at [[Makiminato]], and to journey the rest of the way to Shuri on foot.

[[Kyan ueekata|Kyan ''ueekata'']] once again led a team to seek to negotiate with the invaders, and was again refused. On their return to Shuri, bad weather forced Kyan ''ueekata's'' group to make port at [[Makiminato]], and to journey the rest of the way to Shuri on foot.

The last fortress before Shuri to fall to the forces advancing on land was [[Urasoe gusuku]]. Though sources on the assault itself are scant, [[Stephen Turnbull]] surmises that it was done in the same manner as many of the attacks on other ''gusuku'' during the invasion; the Okinawan architecture left defenders standing atop the castle walls completely open to enemy fire, a vulnerability of which the samurai arquebusiers took advantage. Sweeps of arquebus fire decimated the defending forces, and then the wooden gates were busted in; at Urasoe, the attackers also burnt down a Buddhist temple, the [[Ryufukuji|Ryûfukuji]].

The Shimazu force moving overland met little resistance, reaching and capturing [[Urasoe gusuku]] on 4/1.<ref name=miyako/> Urasoe was to be the last fortress to fall before Shuri. Though sources on the assault itself are scant, [[Stephen Turnbull]] surmises that it was done in the same manner as many of the attacks on other ''gusuku'' during the invasion; the Okinawan architecture left defenders standing atop the castle walls completely open to enemy fire, a vulnerability of which the samurai arquebusiers took advantage. Sweeps of arquebus fire decimated the defending forces, and then the wooden gates were busted in; at Urasoe, the attackers also burnt down a Buddhist temple, the [[Ryufuku-ji|Ryûfuku-ji]].

The samurai advance next made its way across [[Tairabashi|Tairakyô]] (today called Tairabashi), an important bridge on the road from Urasoe to Shuri, defeating 100 men who sought to defend it, led by [[Goeku ueekata]]. Ryukyuan records of the skirmish indicate that they were felled "in a hail of bullets" and that "[they] did not know about guns like these"<ref>Turnbull. p40.</ref>. Contrary to some myths about the pacifistic nature of the Okinawan people, or their lack of arms, the Ryukyuan defenders were in fact armed with [[Firearms in Ryukyu|firearms]], and their ships and fortresses with cannon, as well, albeit ones based upon Chinese firearms, while the samurai used arquebuses based on European designs.

The same day, the samurai advance next made its way across [[Tairabashi|Tairakyô]] (today called Tairabashi), an important bridge on the road from Urasoe to Shuri, defeating 100 men who sought to defend it, led by [[Goeku ueekata]]. Ryukyuan records of the skirmish indicate that they were felled "in a hail of bullets" and that "[they] did not know about guns like these"<ref>Turnbull. p40.</ref>. Contrary to some myths about the pacifistic nature of the Okinawan people, or their lack of arms, the Ryukyuan defenders were in fact armed with [[Firearms in Ryukyu|firearms]], and their ships and fortresses with cannon, as well, albeit ones based upon Chinese firearms, while the samurai used arquebuses based on European designs.

Meanwhile, the other half of the invading force, which progressed to Naha by sea, were repulsed by the port's defenses, in one of the only Ryukyuan victories of the campaign, though it would prove short-lived. Tei Dô (Jana ''[[ueekata]]'') and [[Tomigusuku Seizoku]] commanded a force of 3000 soldiers in defending the harbor. [[Mie gusuku|Mie]] and [[Yarazamori gusuku]], located on opposite sides of the harbor, were both armed with cannon. A net or chain of iron was stretched between them, blocking the enemy ships from entering the harbor. The Japanese ships then turned back, making port somewhere nearby to the north, possibly at Makiminato.

Meanwhile, the other half of the invading force, which progressed to Naha by sea, were repulsed by the port's defenses, in one of the only Ryukyuan victories of the campaign, though it would prove short-lived. Tei Dô (Jana ''[[ueekata]]'') and [[Tomigusuku Seizoku]] commanded a force of 3000 soldiers in defending the harbor. [[Mie gusuku|Mie]] and [[Yarazamori gusuku]], located on opposite sides of the harbor, were both armed with cannon. A net or chain of iron was stretched between them, blocking the enemy ships from entering the harbor. The Japanese ships then turned back, making port somewhere nearby to the north, possibly at Makiminato.