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The day's formal ceremonies began sometime after dawn, around what in modern terms would be 8 AM. Music was played, and some 311 individuals associated with the court, from high-ranking ''ueekata'' down to commoners, formally departed from the palace in order to offer prayers at the [[Ryukyu Eight Shrines]]. Members of the court then prepared for a ritual known (in Japanese pronunciation) as ''Gokaiin ukishiki'' (御開御規式); officials of various ranks gathered in the ''shichagui'' (first floor throne room), and the Sanshikan took seats below the throne, as the king, in Ryukyuan court costume, formally pressed his seal onto his first work of calligraphy of the year (''kissho'', 吉書). The king then returned to the ''shoin'' to change into Chinese-style court costume.

The day's formal ceremonies began sometime after dawn, around what in modern terms would be 8 AM. Music was played, and some 311 individuals associated with the court, from high-ranking ''ueekata'' down to commoners, formally departed from the palace in order to offer prayers at the [[Ryukyu Eight Shrines]]. Members of the court then prepared for a ritual known (in Japanese pronunciation) as ''Gokaiin ukishiki'' (御開御規式); officials of various ranks gathered in the ''shichagui'' (first floor throne room), and the Sanshikan took seats below the throne, as the king, in Ryukyuan court costume, formally pressed his seal onto his first work of calligraphy of the year (''kissho'', 吉書). The king then returned to the ''shoin'' to change into Chinese-style court costume.

The first of the three major New Year's ceremonies began shortly afterwards, around what would today be regarded as 10 AM. In this ''Ni-nu-faa nu unu-fee'' or ''Ninufa ugami'' (子之方御拝) ritual, the king and other members of the royal family, along with members of the court and representatives of the common people, lined up in the ''unaa'' and bowed towards an altar, burning incense and offering prayers towards Heaven and the gods.  

The first of the three major New Year's ceremonies began shortly afterwards, around what would today be regarded as 10 AM. In this ''Ni-nu-faa nu unu-fee'' or ''Ninufa ugami'' (子之方御拝) ritual, the king and other members of the royal family, along with members of the court and representatives of the common people, lined up in the ''unaa'' and bowed towards an altar, burning incense and offering prayers towards Heaven and the gods. The name of this ritual refers to bowing, worshipping, or making obeisances (御拝) towards the direction of the Rat (子之方), i.e. the North, according to the system of assigning [[sexagenary cycle|Chinese zodiac]] figures to the compass directions.

The ''unaa'' plaza was paved in alternating rows of red brick and grey gravel, providing "marks" on which officials lined up; the leading officials of the [[Kumemura]] community, along with members of the [[Sanshikan]] and other top level officials stood in the front row, nearest to the altar after the royal family. Behind them were figures of ''[[anji]]'' and ''ueekata'' [[Ryukyuan court ranks|court rank]], followed by those of ''peechin'', ''satunushi'', and other lower ranks. The officials all faced the Seiden (main palace hall) as the King made a formal appearance, emerging from the central doors of the first floor, accompanied by the banging of a gong and the blowing of trumpets (''rappa'' and ''dôkaku''), and by ''uzagaku'' (Chinese-style court music). He then made his way to an altar, located within the plaza and facing the Hokuden, where he offered incense, as all those gathered turned to face North along with the king. The ''chagushi'', a high-ranking Kumemura official, called out the protocols in Chinese, telling all those assembled when to bow, when to raise their heads from the bow, and when to call out "Wansui" (lit. "10,000 years," equiv. to J. ''banzai''). At his instructions, the assembled figures performed a full kowtow (三跪九叩頭, C: ''sān guì jiǔ kòutóu'', J: ''sanki kyû koutou'') towards Heaven and the ancestors, bowing down three times, and within each touching their heads to the ground three times, for a total of "three kneelings and nine knockings of the head." Prayers were also offered to Heaven and to the gods, in celebration of the new year, and in hope for peace and prosperity. The King then returned to the steps at the front of the Seiden and withdrew into the throne room (''usasuka''), marking the end of the ceremony.

The ''unaa'' plaza was paved in alternating rows of red brick and grey gravel, providing "marks" on which officials lined up; the leading officials of the [[Kumemura]] community, along with members of the [[Sanshikan]] and other top level officials stood in the front row, nearest to the altar after the royal family. Behind them were figures of ''[[anji]]'' and ''ueekata'' [[Ryukyuan court ranks|court rank]], followed by those of ''peechin'', ''satunushi'', and other lower ranks. The officials all faced the Seiden (main palace hall) as the King made a formal appearance, emerging from the central doors of the first floor, accompanied by the banging of a gong and the blowing of trumpets (''rappa'' and ''dôkaku''), and by ''uzagaku'' (Chinese-style court music). He then made his way to an altar, located within the plaza and facing the Hokuden, where he offered incense, as all those gathered turned to face North along with the king. The ''chagushi'', a high-ranking Kumemura official, called out the protocols in Chinese, telling all those assembled when to bow, when to raise their heads from the bow, and when to call out "Wansui" (lit. "10,000 years," equiv. to J. ''banzai''). At his instructions, the assembled figures performed a full kowtow (三跪九叩頭, C: ''sān guì jiǔ kòutóu'', J: ''sanki kyû koutou'') towards Heaven and the ancestors, bowing down three times, and within each touching their heads to the ground three times, for a total of "three kneelings and nine knockings of the head." Prayers were also offered to Heaven and to the gods, in celebration of the new year, and in hope for peace and prosperity. The King then returned to the steps at the front of the Seiden and withdrew into the throne room (''usasuka''), marking the end of the ceremony.