contributor
27,126
edits
Changes
From SamuraiWiki
Jump to navigationJump to searchno edit summary
The formal founding of the organization was preceded by numerous events of a similar nature, stretching back several decades. In [[1875]], Japanese statesman [[Okubo Toshimichi|Ôkubo Toshimichi]] suggested that the governorship of Okinawa Prefecture be a hereditary post held by members of the former royal family.
The formal founding of the organization was preceded by numerous events of a similar nature, stretching back several decades. In [[1875]], Japanese statesman [[Okubo Toshimichi|Ôkubo Toshimichi]] suggested that the governorship of Okinawa Prefecture be a hereditary post held by members of the former royal family.
The movement's chief aims were to unite the Okinawan community, and to regain for native Okinawans (in particular, members of the former nobility and royalty) some control over their local affairs. Among other things, they petitioned that Governor [[Narahara Kogoro]] recalled to the mainland, and replaced with [[Kazoku|Marquis]] [[Sho Tai|Shô Tai]], former King of Ryûkyû. Unfortunately for the organization, and for its goals, the movement's positions were taken as highly offensive to the Imperial government. Their petitions were seen as accusations of grave misrule in Okinawa and as attacks on the good judgment of the [[Emperor]]. The movement was crushed quite quickly after its formation.
The movement's chief aims were that the Ryukyuan royal government and aristocracy be restored, healing the "spirit" of Okinawa, and that then the Ryukyuan system could lead the islands, gradually, into assimilation with Japan. To these ends,they petitioned that Governor [[Narahara Kogoro]] recalled to the mainland, and replaced with [[Kazoku|Marquis]] [[Sho Tai|Shô Tai]], former King of Ryûkyû. Their proposal would have also restored the ''yukatchu'' to their government positions; for this reason, much of the Kôdôkai's support came from low-ranking, unstipended, ''[[yukatchu]]''.
Nine representatives of the group traveled to Tokyo and submitted a petition with 72,767 signatures to [[Matsukata Masayoshi]], [[Minister of the Interior]]. He rejected it immediately.
Some in the [[Meiji government]] saw the petitions as accusations of grave misrule in Okinawa and as attacks on the good judgment of the [[Emperor]]. Most Okinawans are said to have believed in the inevitability, and benefits, of assimilation with Japan, and so the organization quickly fell apart.
==References==
==References==
*[[George Kerr|Kerr, George]]. ''Okinawa: the History of an Island People''. (revised ed.) Boston: Tuttle Publishing, 2000. p425.
*[[George Kerr|Kerr, George]]. ''Okinawa: the History of an Island People''. (revised ed.) Boston: Tuttle Publishing, 2000. p425.
*[[Gregory Smits|Smits, Gregory]]. ''Visions of Ryukyu''. University of Hawaii Press, 1999. pp148-149.
[[Category:Ryukyu]]
[[Category:Ryukyu]]
[[Category:Groups]]
[[Category:Groups]]
[[Category:Meiji Period]]
[[Category:Meiji Period]]
