View source for Military of the Ryukyu Kingdom

The [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Kingdom of Ryûkyû]] is often misrepresented as pacifistic, or lacking in weapons or soldiers. In fact, the kingdom grew out of the fractious and violent [[gusuku period]] of Ryukyuan history, in which the [[Okinawa Island|island of Okinawa]] became covered with numerous stone fortresses called ''[[gusuku]]''. Of the myriad regional warlords, many might be considered ''[[wako|wakô]]'' or "sea lords": brigands, pirates, and the like vying against one another for power and profit. At the beginning of the 15th century, [[Sho Hashi|Shô Hashi]], a lord from Chûzan, led violent campaigns defeating many of his rivals, uniting the island and establishing the Ryûkyû Kingdom in [[1429]]. Over the next 180 years or so, the kingdom expanded, launching military campaigns against other islands in the [[Ryukyu Islands|Ryûkyû archipelago]], often meeting stiff local resistance, and occasionally clashing with samurai forces from [[Satsuma province]]. The kingdom was [[Invasion of Ryukyu|invaded]] by forces from Satsuma in [[1609]], and subjugated to Satsuma's suzerainty, marking the end of its active military exploits.