Changes

==History==

==History==

===15th century===

===15th century===

It is not clear exactly when firearms were introduced to Ryûkyû, but it is known that Ryûkyû enjoyed extensive trade with China, including trade in weapons, up until the 1450s, when a ban was placed on Fujian merchants selling weapons overseas, as these were needed to defend the coasts against ''[[wako|wakô]]'' raids. It is believed that gunpowder and firearms were first introduced to Ryûkyû from China, through this trade, though the Chinese Court had officially forbidden selling sulphur, or saltpeter (ingredients for making gunpowder) or gunpowder itself, overseas.<ref name=uezato77>Uezato. p77.</ref>　The fact that Ryûkyû obtained weapons and gunpowder despite both of these bans is evidence that the China-Ryûkyû trade consisted not solely of the official [[tribute]] trade, but extended to smuggling as well. Ryûkyû had no need to trade for sulphur, though, at least, since the kingdom had a supply from [[Iotorishima|Iôtorishima]], a small island near [[Tokunoshima]]; in fact, sulphur was something Ryûkyû frequently sent overseas in exchange for other goods, and there was even a so-called ''Iô gusuku'' ("sulphur warehouse") in [[Naha]] harbor expressly for the purpose of storing the material imported from Iôtorishima.<ref>Uezato. p78.</ref>

It is not clear exactly when firearms were introduced to Ryûkyû, but it is known that Ryûkyû enjoyed extensive trade with China, including trade in weapons, up until the 1450s, when a ban was placed on Fujian merchants selling weapons overseas, as these were needed to defend the coasts against ''[[wako|wakô]]'' raids. It is believed that gunpowder and firearms were first introduced to Ryûkyû from China, through this trade, though the Chinese Court had officially forbidden selling sulphur, or saltpeter (ingredients for making gunpowder) or gunpowder itself, overseas.<ref name=uezato77>Uezato. p77.</ref>　The fact that Ryûkyû obtained weapons and gunpowder despite both of these bans is evidence that the China-Ryûkyû trade consisted not solely of the official [[tribute]] trade, but extended to smuggling as well. Ryûkyû had no need to trade for sulphur, though, at least, since the kingdom had a supply from [[Iotorishima|Iôtorishima]], a small island near [[Tokunoshima]]; in fact, sulphur was something Ryûkyû frequently sent overseas in exchange for other goods, and there was even a so-called ''Iô gusuku'' ("sulphur warehouse") in [[Naha]] harbor expressly for the purpose of storing the material imported from Iôtorishima.<ref>Uezato. p78.</ref>

===16th-17th centuries===

===16th-17th centuries===

By the end of the 16th century, these Chinese-style weapons were used extensively. It is believed that the technology, and the form of the devices, may not have changed very much. The simple addition of metal rounds, that is, ammunition, where previously gunpowder was used alone, converted devices which produced only light, sound, and heat (flame, sparks, explosions) for salutes and the like into weapons.<ref name=uezato82>Uezato. p82.</ref> Such "hand cannon" ammunition has been found in excavations at a great many sites, including [[Shuri castle]], [[Nakijin gusuku]], [[Goeku gusuku]], [[Tonakijima]]<ref>A small island betwen Okinawa to the east and [[Kumejima]] to the west.</ref>, [[Katsuren gusuku]], [[Itokazu gusuku]], and [[Ufu gusuku]]<!--大城グスク-->. Ranging from the 14th to 16th century, the rounds vary greatly in size and material. Materials used included stone, earth, iron, and bronze, and the rounds found range from one to two centimeters in diameter to more than ten centimeters.<ref name=uezato82/>

By the end of the 16th century, these Chinese-style weapons were used extensively. It is believed that the technology, and the form of the devices, may not have changed very much. The simple addition of metal rounds, that is, ammunition, where previously gunpowder was used alone, converted devices which produced only light, sound, and heat (flame, sparks, explosions) for salutes and the like into weapons.<ref name=uezato82>Uezato. p82.</ref> Such "hand cannon" ammunition has been found in excavations at a great many sites, including [[Shuri castle]], [[Nakijin gusuku]], [[Goeku gusuku]], [[Tonakijima]]<ref>A small island betwen Okinawa to the east and [[Kumejima]] to the west.</ref>, [[Katsuren gusuku]], [[Itokazu gusuku]], and [[Ufu gusuku]]<!--大城グスク-->. Ranging from the 14th to 16th century, the rounds vary greatly in size and material. Materials used included stone, earth, iron, and bronze, and the rounds found range from one to two centimeters in diameter to more than ten centimeters.<ref name=uezato82/>