Chinese investiture envoys
- Japanese: 冊封使 (sappuushi)
Chinese investiture envoys were diplomatic missions sent by Ming and Qing China to the Kingdom of Ryûkyû to perform investiture rituals, formally acknowledging the king of Ryûkyû as King, and as a tributary subordinate to the Chinese Emperor within the Sinocentric system of diplomatic relations.
Twenty-two such missions traveled to Ryûkyû in total[1], the first for the investiture of Bunei in 1406[2], and the last for the investiture of Shô Tai in 1866[3].
The Envoys in Shuri
Envoys generally stayed in Ryûkyû for four to eight months[1], and were extensively entertained by the Ryukyuan royal court. A number of structures built for this purpose, including the Ryûtan pond and the Hokuden (North Hall) of Shuri Castle, can still be seen today on the castle grounds. A "Minister of Dance" (O: udui bugyô) oversaw these entertainments; kumi odori, a traditional form of Ryukyuan dance-drama, was first created and performed for entertaining an investiture envoy and his fellows, in 1719[4].
Timeline of Missions
- 1406 - First investiture mission arrives for the investiture of Bunei[2].
- 1719/9/9 - Kumi odori, a new form of dance-drama, created by Tamagusuku Chôkun for the entertainment of the Chinese envoys, is first performed for the envoys for the investiture of King Shô Kei[4].
- 1757 - Quan Kui and Chou Huang (d. 1785) lead the mission for the investiture of King Shô Boku, as Senior Envoy and Deputy Envoy respectively. During his time in Shuri, Chou Huang compiles the Ryûkyû-koku shiryaku, an account of Ryukyuan history and customs based on the records and reports of earlier Chinese envoys, Ryukyuan records, and Chou's own observations[5].
- 1866 - Final investiture envoys arrive for the investiture of Shô Tai[3].
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Sappûshi." Okinawa konpakuto jiten (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). 1 March 2003. Accessed 7 November 2009.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kerr, George. Okinawa: The History of an Island People. (revised ed.) Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing, 2000. p83.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Kerr. p352.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Foley, Kathy. "Kumi Odori's Historical Context and Performance Practice." in Ryukyu Geino: The Legacy of Kin Ryosho. Jimpu Kai USA Kin Ryosho Ryukyu Geino Kenkyusho Hawaii Shibu, 2008. pp45-56.
- ↑ Hirata, Tsugumasa (trans.). Chou, Huang. Ryûkyû-koku shiryaku. Tokyo: San-ichi Shobô, 1977. pp1-2.
