Sai On

Stele dedicated to Sai On, at the Shiseibyô in Kumemura.

• Born: 1682/9/25
• Died: 1761/12/29
• Japanese: 蔡温 (Sai On)

Sai On was a Ryukyuan scholar-aristocrat, and among the most prominent and influential government administrators in the history of the Ryûkyû Kingdom. While serving as a member of the Sanshikan, Sai On implemented numerous policies and reforms, and composed a number of influential treatises on subjects including the Confucian philosophies of governance, and forestry and agricultural policy.

Life and Career

Sai On was born in Kumemura, the son of scholar-bureaucrat Sai Taku (蔡鐸) and his wife Magozei (真呉瑞). He was granted the title of Gushichan ueekata 具志頭親方, and in 1708 traveled to Fuzhou, where he stayed (at the Ryûkyû-kan) and studied for two years.

He became the chief tutor to the Crown Prince in 1711, and remained his tutor and advisor when the prince succeeded to the throne as King Shô Kei the following year. He was therefore granted a residence in Shuri.

References

• "Sai On." Asahi Nihon rekishi jinbutsu jiten 朝日日本歴史人物事典. Asahi Shimbun-sha.
• "Sai On." Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia 沖縄コンパクト事典. Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003.