Changes

The number of ''yukatchu'' increased dramatically again at the end of the 18th century, as families who contributed to the support of the impoverished government were accorded noble status in exchange. Perhaps one of the most damaging events for the stability and importance of the Kumemura ''yukatchu'' community was the establishment and gradual development of academies, and eventually a university, in Shuri. Though Kumemura had an institution of its own, the [[Meirindo|Meirindō]], which trained diplomats for work in China, the unique purpose for which the ''yukatchu'' had been established nearly two centuries earlier was being challenged by the bureaucrats of Shuri; no longer was Kumemura the sole, or arguably even the primary, center of classical learning in Ryûkyû. Ultimately, the kingdom did not remain independent long enough for this decline to reach its full potential.

The number of ''yukatchu'' increased dramatically again at the end of the 18th century, as families who contributed to the support of the impoverished government were accorded noble status in exchange. Perhaps one of the most damaging events for the stability and importance of the Kumemura ''yukatchu'' community was the establishment and gradual development of academies, and eventually a university, in Shuri. Though Kumemura had an institution of its own, the [[Meirindo|Meirindō]], which trained diplomats for work in China, the unique purpose for which the ''yukatchu'' had been established nearly two centuries earlier was being challenged by the bureaucrats of Shuri; no longer was Kumemura the sole, or arguably even the primary, center of classical learning in Ryûkyû. Ultimately, the kingdom did not remain independent long enough for this decline to reach its full potential.

When Ryûkyû was formally annexed by Japan in [[1879]], [[Uesugi Shigenori]], the second appointed governor of the new territory, accused the ''yukatchu'' class as a whole of oppressing the Ryukyuan peasantry, and efforts were made to remove the nobles from power. For this reason, and others, many ''yukatchu'' fled to Fujian in China. The third governor, [[Iwamura Michitoshi]], largely reversed this policy, supporting the maintenance of stipends for high-ranking ''yukatchu'', retaining experienced bureaucrats in the administration of the [[Okinawa Prefecture|prefecture]], and lending economic aid to those without stipends. As a result, many ''yukatchu'' returned from China; stipends continued to be paid until 1909. Though Japanese policy was originally largely one of continuation of old traditions, by the turn of the 20th century, nationwide efforts to provide uniform education and create a uniform culture and language were implemented in Okinawa as they were throughout the nation.

When Ryûkyû was formally annexed by Japan in [[1879]], [[Uesugi Mochinori]], the second appointed governor of the new territory, accused the ''yukatchu'' class as a whole of oppressing the Ryukyuan peasantry, and efforts were made to remove the nobles from power. For this reason, and others, many ''yukatchu'' fled to Fujian in China. The third governor, [[Iwamura Michitoshi]], largely reversed this policy, supporting the maintenance of stipends for high-ranking ''yukatchu'', retaining experienced bureaucrats in the administration of the [[Okinawa Prefecture|prefecture]], and lending economic aid to those without stipends. As a result, many ''yukatchu'' returned from China; stipends continued to be paid until 1909. Though Japanese policy was originally largely one of continuation of old traditions, by the turn of the 20th century, nationwide efforts to provide uniform education and create a uniform culture and language were implemented in Okinawa as they were throughout the nation.

The [[1896]] formation of the [[Kodokai|Kôdôkai]] ("Society for Public Unity") by former prince [[Prince Sho En|Shô En]] and a number of ''yukatchu'', arguing against assimilation, can be said to be the final "gasp" of the ''yukatchu'', twenty years after the abolition of the samurai class in "mainland" Japan.

The [[1896]] formation of the [[Kodokai|Kôdôkai]] ("Society for Public Unity") by former prince [[Prince Sho En|Shô En]] and a number of ''yukatchu'', arguing against assimilation, can be said to be the final "gasp" of the ''yukatchu'', twenty years after the abolition of the samurai class in "mainland" Japan.