Changes

Much of the foundational organization of the kingdom's administration and economy is traced back to developments which occurred during Shô Shin's reign. As government became more institutionalized and organized, the ''[[anji]]'' (local lords) gradually lost power and independence, becoming more closely tied to the central government at [[Shuri]]. In order to strengthen central control over the kingdom, and to prevent insurrection on the part of the ''anji'', Shô Shin gathered weapons from all the ''anji'' to be put to use for the defense of the kingdom, and ordered ''anji'' to make their residences in Shuri; lords separated from their lands and from their people were far less able to act independently or to organize rebellion, and, over time, their emotional connections to Shuri grew, those with their territory weakening. The residences at Shuri of the ''anji'' were divided into three districts - one each for those coming from the northern, central, and southern areas of [[Okinawa Island]] which had formerly been the independent kingdoms of [[Hokuzan]], Chûzan, and [[Nanzan]] respectively. These regions were now renamed [[Kunigami]], [[Nakagami]], and [[Shimajiri]], respectively, place names which remain in use today. Through intermarriage, residence in Shuri, and other factors, the ''anji'' came to be more integrated as a class, more closely associated with life and customs and politics at Shuri, and less attached to their ancestral territorial identities.

Much of the foundational organization of the kingdom's administration and economy is traced back to developments which occurred during Shô Shin's reign. As government became more institutionalized and organized, the ''[[anji]]'' (local lords) gradually lost power and independence, becoming more closely tied to the central government at [[Shuri]]. In order to strengthen central control over the kingdom, and to prevent insurrection on the part of the ''anji'', Shô Shin gathered weapons from all the ''anji'' to be put to use for the defense of the kingdom, and ordered ''anji'' to make their residences in Shuri; lords separated from their lands and from their people were far less able to act independently or to organize rebellion, and, over time, their emotional connections to Shuri grew, those with their territory weakening. The residences at Shuri of the ''anji'' were divided into three districts - one each for those coming from the northern, central, and southern areas of [[Okinawa Island]] which had formerly been the independent kingdoms of [[Hokuzan]], Chûzan, and [[Nanzan]] respectively. These regions were now renamed [[Kunigami]], [[Nakagami]], and [[Shimajiri]], respectively, place names which remain in use today. Through intermarriage, residence in Shuri, and other factors, the ''anji'' came to be more integrated as a class, more closely associated with life and customs and politics at Shuri, and less attached to their ancestral territorial identities.

The ''anji'' left deputies, called ''anji okite'', to administer their lands on their behalf, and some years later a system of ''jito dai'', agents sent by the central government to oversee the outlying territories, was established. Some ''anji'' of the northern regions were allowed to remain there, not moving to Shuri, as they were too powerful for the king to force their obedience in this matter; the king's third son was made Warden of the North, however, and granted authority to maintain peace and order in the region<ref>Kerr. pp105-8.</ref>.

The ''anji'' left deputies, called ''anji okite'', to administer their lands on their behalf, and some years later a system of ''jito dai'', agents sent by the central government to oversee the outlying territories, was established. Some ''anji'' of the northern regions were allowed to remain there, not moving to Shuri, as they were too powerful for the king to force their obedience in this matter; the king's third son [[Sho Shoi|Shô Shôi]] was made [[Warden of the North]], however, and granted authority to maintain peace and order in the region<ref>Kerr. pp105-8.</ref>.

The Shuri dialect of the Okinawan language used by administrators and bureaucrats became standardized at this time, and a golden age of poetry and literature blossomed. The first volumes of the ''[[Omoro Soshi|Omoro Sôshi]]'', a collection of poems, songs, and chants reflecting centuries-old oral tradition as well as contemporary events, were completed in 1532<ref>Kerr. p111.</ref>. Along with later volumes, the ''Omoro Sôshi'' would become one of the chief primary sources for modern-day historians studying the kingdom's history.

The Shuri dialect of the Okinawan language used by administrators and bureaucrats became standardized at this time, and a golden age of poetry and literature blossomed. The first volumes of the ''[[Omoro Soshi|Omoro Sôshi]]'', a collection of poems, songs, and chants reflecting centuries-old oral tradition as well as contemporary events, were completed in 1532<ref>Kerr. p111.</ref>. Along with later volumes, the ''Omoro Sôshi'' would become one of the chief primary sources for modern-day historians studying the kingdom's history.