Changes

The same day, the samurai advance next made its way across [[Tairabashi|Tairakyô]] (today called Tairabashi), an important bridge on the road from Urasoe to Shuri, defeating 100 men led by [[Goeku ueekata]] who sought to defend it. Ryukyuan records of the skirmish indicate that they were felled "in a hail of bullets" and that "[they] did not know about guns like these"<ref>Turnbull. p40.</ref>. Contrary to some myths about the pacifistic nature of the Okinawan people, or their lack of arms, the Ryukyuan defenders were in fact armed with [[Firearms in Ryukyu|firearms]], and their ships and fortresses with cannon, as well, albeit ones based upon Chinese firearms, while the samurai used arquebuses based on European designs. Taking the bridge, the Shimazu forces then proceeded to Shuri, and began to surround the castle.<ref name=miyako24/>

The same day, the samurai advance next made its way across [[Tairabashi|Tairakyô]] (today called Tairabashi), an important bridge on the road from Urasoe to Shuri, defeating 100 men led by [[Goeku ueekata]] who sought to defend it. Ryukyuan records of the skirmish indicate that they were felled "in a hail of bullets" and that "[they] did not know about guns like these"<ref>Turnbull. p40.</ref>. Contrary to some myths about the pacifistic nature of the Okinawan people, or their lack of arms, the Ryukyuan defenders were in fact armed with [[Firearms in Ryukyu|firearms]], and their ships and fortresses with cannon, as well, albeit ones based upon Chinese firearms, while the samurai used arquebuses based on European designs. Taking the bridge, the Shimazu forces then proceeded to Shuri, and began to surround the castle.<ref name=miyako24/>

Meanwhile, the other half of the invading force, which progressed to Naha by sea, were repulsed on 4/1<ref name=miyako24/> by the port's defenses, in one of the only Ryukyuan victories of the campaign. Tei Dô (Jana ''[[ueekata]]'') and [[Tomigusuku Seizoku]] commanded a force of 3000 soldiers in defending the harbor. [[Mie gusuku|Mie]] and [[Yarazamori gusuku]], located on opposite sides of the harbor, were both armed with cannon, and had a net or chain of iron stretched between them, blocking the enemy ships from entering the harbor. The Japanese ships were turned back, but made port somewhere nearby to the north, possibly at Makiminato, proceeding overland from there.

Meanwhile, the other half of the invading force, which progressed to Naha by sea, were repulsed on 4/1<ref name=miyako24/> by the port's defenses, in one of the only Ryukyuan victories of the campaign. Tei Dô (Jana ''[[ueekata]]'') and [[Tomigusuku Seizoku]] commanded a force of 3000 soldiers in defending the harbor, while Urasoe ''ueekata'' gathered an army to defend Shuri castle. [[Mie gusuku|Mie]] and [[Yarazamori gusuku]], located on opposite sides of the harbor, were both armed with cannon, and had a net or chain of iron stretched between them, blocking the enemy ships from entering the harbor. The Japanese ships were turned back, but made port somewhere nearby to the north, possibly at Makiminato, proceeding overland from there.

Turnbull points out that the maritime attack may have been a feint, to distract from the land-based attack and to draw defenders away from the capital. As Kabayama's diary and other sources do not directly indicate the generals' intentions, it is impossible to know whether the maritime attack on Naha was authentic, or merely a feint. Nevertheless, in the end, the land-based force would succeed in seizing [[Shuri castle]] and claiming victory over the kingdom.

Turnbull points out that the maritime attack may have been a feint, to distract from the land-based attack and to draw defenders away from the capital. As Kabayama's diary and other sources do not directly indicate the generals' intentions, it is impossible to know whether the maritime attack on Naha was authentic, or merely a feint. Nevertheless, in the end, the land-based force would succeed in seizing [[Shuri castle]] and claiming victory over the kingdom.