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*''Other Names'': 系図 ''(J: keizu)''
*''Other Names'': 系図 ''(J: keizu)''
''Kafu'' were records of the [[Ryukyuan aristocracy]] written in ''[[kanbun]]'', which included lineages and individual personal or career histories. Though an office (known as the ''[[keizuza]]''<!--系図座-->) was formally established within the government of the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Kingdom of Ryûkyû]] in [[1689]] to create and maintain these records in a more formal and standardized manner, ''kafu'' existed before then.
''Kafu'' were family registry records of the [[Ryukyuan aristocracy]] written in ''[[kanbun]]'', which included lineages and individual personal or career histories. The gentry were required to submit records of their lineages in [[1670]],<ref>[[Robert Sakai]], “The Ryukyu (Liu-ch’iu) Islands as a Fief of Satsuma,” in [[John K. Fairbank]], ''The Chinese World Order'', Harvard University Press (1968), 128.</ref> and an office known as the ''[[keizuza]]''<!--系図座--> was formally established within the government of the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Kingdom of Ryûkyû]] in [[1689]] to create and maintain these records in a more formal and standardized manner; however, it is likely that ''kafu'' existed in some form before then.
Following the establishment of the ''keizuza'', records of each aristocratic lineage were produced, with one copy being kept by the royal government, and one, stamped with the royal seal, kept by the family described in that record. With this system in place, an aristocrat could prove his lineage, and ancestral hometown.
Following the establishment of the ''keizuza'', records of each aristocratic lineage were systematically produced, with one copy being kept by the royal government, and one, stamped with the royal seal, kept by the family described in that record. With this system in place, an aristocrat could prove his lineage, and ancestral hometown.
Today, these serve as valuable primary sources for historical research.
Today, these serve as valuable primary sources for historical research.
==References==
==References==
*"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-40947-storytopic-121.html Kafu]." Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia (沖縄コンパクト事典, ''Okinawa konpakuto jiten''). Ryukyu Shimpo. 1 March 2003. Accessed 6 October 2010.
*"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-40947-storytopic-121.html Kafu]." Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia (沖縄コンパクト事典, ''Okinawa konpakuto jiten''). Ryukyu Shimpo. 1 March 2003. Accessed 6 October 2010.
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[[Category:Ryukyu]]
[[Category:Ryukyu]]