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The Ryûkyû-kan played a central role in relations between the Kingdom of Ryûkyû and the ''[[han]]'' to which it was a vassal, serving a function not unlike a modern-day embassy. Visiting dignitaries lived and worked in the ''Ryûkyû-kan'' for various lengths of time, as did students studying classic subjects in preparation for careers in the kingdom's bureaucracy, and a number of Ryukyuan permanent residents of the city. The chief Ryukyuan official permanently resident at the Ryûkyû-kan, typically of ''[[ueekata]]'' (J: ''oyakata'') rank, was known as the ''zaiban oyakata'' ("resident elder"); he and a samurai official known as the ''Ryûkyû-kikiyaku'' (lit. "listener"), were collectively known as the ''[[Ryukyu-gakari|Ryûkyû-gakari]]'', and were charged with overseeing the residents and operations of the Ryûkyû-kan, as well as performing various administrative duties related to communicating [[Satsuma han]] missives and edicts to Ryûkyû.

The Ryûkyû-kan played a central role in relations between the Kingdom of Ryûkyû and the ''[[han]]'' to which it was a vassal, serving a function not unlike a modern-day embassy. Visiting dignitaries lived and worked in the ''Ryûkyû-kan'' for various lengths of time, as did students studying classic subjects in preparation for careers in the kingdom's bureaucracy, and a number of Ryukyuan permanent residents of the city. The chief Ryukyuan official permanently resident at the Ryûkyû-kan, typically of ''[[ueekata]]'' (J: ''oyakata'') rank, was known as the ''zaiban oyakata'' ("resident elder"); he and a samurai official known as the ''Ryûkyû-kikiyaku'' (lit. "listener"), were collectively known as the ''[[Ryukyu-gakari|Ryûkyû-gakari]]'', and were charged with overseeing the residents and operations of the Ryûkyû-kan, as well as performing various administrative duties related to communicating [[Satsuma han]] missives and edicts to Ryûkyû.

Ten or so<ref>Ono Masako, Tomita Chinatsu, Kanna Keiko, Taguchi Kei, "Shiryô shôkai Kishi Akimasa bunko Satsuyû kikô," ''Shiryôhenshûshitsu kiyô'' 31 (2006), 238.</ref> Ryukyuan students and officials were resident at the Ryûkyû-kan on a semi-permanent basis. In addition, a delegation of roughly twenty officials visited the city each year to offer formal New Year's greetings to the Satsuma ''daimyô'', on behalf of the King of Ryûkyû. As with the ''[[sankin kotai|sankin kôtai]]'' missions performed by the ''daimyô'', to pay respects to the shogun in [[Edo]], here too there was a connotation of this delegation, as well as the permanently resident officials, serving as political hostages. Additional missions were sent from Ryûkyû on occasions such as congratulating the ''daimyô'' on receiving certain titles and honors, or on becoming ''daimyô'', as well as for expressing gratitude for the ''daimyô's'' recognition of a new king on the Ryukyuan throne, or for other favors granted by the ''daimyô'' to the kingdom. It was also customary for Ryukyuan Crown Princes to pay an official visit to Kagoshima upon turning fifteen years old, but the king was not typically obligated to journey to Kagoshima himself.

Ten or so<ref>Ono Masako, Tomita Chinatsu, Kanna Keiko, Taguchi Megumi, "Shiryô shôkai Kishi Akimasa bunko Satsuyû kikô," ''Shiryôhenshûshitsu kiyô'' 31 (2006), 238.</ref> Ryukyuan students and officials were resident at the Ryûkyû-kan on a semi-permanent basis. In addition, a delegation of roughly twenty officials visited the city each year to offer formal New Year's greetings to the Satsuma ''daimyô'', on behalf of the King of Ryûkyû. As with the ''[[sankin kotai|sankin kôtai]]'' missions performed by the ''daimyô'', to pay respects to the shogun in [[Edo]], here too there was a connotation of this delegation, as well as the permanently resident officials, serving as political hostages. Additional missions were sent from Ryûkyû on occasions such as congratulating the ''daimyô'' on receiving certain titles and honors, or on becoming ''daimyô'', as well as for expressing gratitude for the ''daimyô's'' recognition of a new king on the Ryukyuan throne, or for other favors granted by the ''daimyô'' to the kingdom. It was also customary for Ryukyuan Crown Princes to pay an official visit to Kagoshima upon turning fifteen years old, but the king was not typically obligated to journey to Kagoshima himself.

At least during New Year's, Ryukyuan visitors to the city are said to have been permitted to wander quite freely in the castle town, and to enjoy the sights.<ref name=momoto/> However, at other times or in other respects, Satsuma's control over the Ryukyuan officials is said to have been tight; wandering or loitering in the area around the building was forbidden, and guards posted at the entrance checked visitors in and out<ref>Sakai. p401.</ref>. As with the [[zaiban (Ryukyu)|Japanese officials resident in Ryûkyû]], Ryukyuans resident in Kagoshima could interact with Japanese, travel around the city, and to other parts of the country, only on official business, and under tight supervision and strict regulations. Similarly strict policies applied to Japanese visiting the institution; they were forbidden from entering the building without official permission, as well as from loitering nearby or communicating with Ryukyuan individuals about anything other than official business. Further, all in-person interactions between Ryukyuan and Japanese individuals had to be conducted through an official interpreter - this despite the fact that many, if not most, Ryukyuan scholar-bureaucrats were competent in the Japanese language.

At least during New Year's, Ryukyuan visitors to the city are said to have been permitted to wander quite freely in the castle town, and to enjoy the sights.<ref name=momoto/> However, at other times or in other respects, Satsuma's control over the Ryukyuan officials is said to have been tight; wandering or loitering in the area around the building was forbidden, and guards posted at the entrance checked visitors in and out<ref>Sakai. p401.</ref>. As with the [[zaiban (Ryukyu)|Japanese officials resident in Ryûkyû]], Ryukyuans resident in Kagoshima could interact with Japanese, travel around the city, and to other parts of the country, only on official business, and under tight supervision and strict regulations. Similarly strict policies applied to Japanese visiting the institution; they were forbidden from entering the building without official permission, as well as from loitering nearby or communicating with Ryukyuan individuals about anything other than official business. Further, all in-person interactions between Ryukyuan and Japanese individuals had to be conducted through an official interpreter - this despite the fact that many, if not most, Ryukyuan scholar-bureaucrats were competent in the Japanese language.