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Roughly twenty years later, in the 1390s, the kings of all three kingdoms died within a few years, and succession disputes erupted across the island; similar events occurred in [[Nanjing]] at the same time, with the death of the [[Hongwu Emperor]] in 1398. Previously, China had only ever recognized one head of state on Okinawa, but now all three kingdoms sent envoys and vied for the prestige, wealth, and power that would come with China's favor; no response came from China for eleven years. In 1406, [[Bunei]], King of Chûzan, was formally invested by representatives of the Ming Court in his position; the kings of Hokuzan would never enjoy this privilege.

Roughly twenty years later, in the 1390s, the kings of all three kingdoms died within a few years, and succession disputes erupted across the island; similar events occurred in [[Nanjing]] at the same time, with the death of the [[Hongwu Emperor]] in 1398. Previously, China had only ever recognized one head of state on Okinawa, but now all three kingdoms sent envoys and vied for the prestige, wealth, and power that would come with China's favor; no response came from China for eleven years. In 1406, [[Bunei]], King of Chûzan, was formally invested by representatives of the Ming Court in his position; the kings of Hokuzan would never enjoy this privilege.

Despite its economic and political advantages, Hokuzan posed a not insignificant threat to Chûzan, militarily, since its establishment. In the 1410s, however, disputes among the vassals of Hokuzan's king weakened the kingdom, and in 1416, Chûzan found an opportunity to strike after three of those vassals (''[[anji]]'') defected. Following a fierce defense, Nakijin castle fell, and the king and his closest vassals committed suicide. Shô Hashi, king of Chûzan, appointed his brother Warden of Hokuzan in 1422, a post which would remain for many years, holding little overall power, but serving to maintain order in the north on behalf of Chûzan's court at [[Shuri]].

Despite its economic and political advantages, Hokuzan posed a not insignificant threat to Chûzan, militarily, since its establishment. In the 1410s, however, disputes among the vassals of Hokuzan's king weakened the kingdom, and in 1416, Chûzan found an opportunity to strike after three of those vassals (''[[anji]]'') defected. Following a fierce defense, Nakijin castle fell, and the king and his closest vassals committed suicide. Shô Hashi, king of Chûzan, appointed his son [[Sho Chu|Shô Chû]] [[Hokuzan kanshu|Warden of Hokuzan]] in 1422, a post which would remain for many years, holding little overall power, but serving to maintain order in the north on behalf of Chûzan's court at [[Shuri]].

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