Changes

This period also saw the beginnings of a bureaucracy in the royal government which would later grow to rule in the king's place and in his name, replacing direct monarchical rule. [[Kumemura]], a community for Chinese immigrants was established; the Chinese living here, and their Ryukyuan descendants, would serve Chûzan (and later the unified kingdom) as diplomats, interpreters, and government officials. Kumemura quickly grew into Ryûkyû's cultural capital, something of a complement to the political capital at [[Shuri]] and the commercial center at the port of [[Naha]]. A community for Ryukyuan envoys and scholars was similarly established in [[Fukien]] in China, and the first Ryukyuans to study in China's capital did so at this time as well, again establishing precedents for developments which would continue for centuries.

This period also saw the beginnings of a bureaucracy in the royal government which would later grow to rule in the king's place and in his name, replacing direct monarchical rule. [[Kumemura]], a community for Chinese immigrants was established; the Chinese living here, and their Ryukyuan descendants, would serve Chûzan (and later the unified kingdom) as diplomats, interpreters, and government officials. Kumemura quickly grew into Ryûkyû's cultural capital, something of a complement to the political capital at [[Shuri]] and the commercial center at the port of [[Naha]]. A community for Ryukyuan envoys and scholars was similarly established in [[Fukien]] in China, and the first Ryukyuans to study in China's capital did so at this time as well, again establishing precedents for developments which would continue for centuries.

Satto's son [[Bunei]] suceeded him in 1395, and oversaw the continuation of the policies and developments of his father's reign. Relations with China grew stronger, and a number of institutions were established to cater to Chinese envoys to Chûzan. Trade boomed, and relations with other countries likewise continued to be expanded. Though China accepted tributary missions from Hokuzan and Nanzan as well at this time, they officially recognized only the King of Chûzan as a head of state in Ryukyu. Chûzan continued to enjoy formal diplomatic relations with Ayutthaya and Korea, and trade relations with [[Java]], [[Sumatra]], and other states, as did the other two Ryukyuan kingdoms. However, only Chûzan managed to establish formal relations with Japan's [[Ashikaga shogunate]], having sent a mission in 1403. These political advantages, coupled with control of Naha, the most active port on Okinawa, allowed Chûzan to gain significant political and economic superiority over its two neighbors. It also benefited greatly culturally; trade always brings cultural exchange along with it, and many of the states in the region were experiencing great cultural surges as a result. In particular, it is believed that [[Buddhism]] from Korea and [[Shintô]] from Japan were first introduced to Okinawa to a significant extent at this time. Students and other travelers to Korea brought back texts, statues, rituals, and other Buddhist objects and ideas, and in exchange, King Bunei promised to send shipwrecked Koreans, and those who were the victims of Japanese pirates (''[[wako|wakô]]''), back home safely.

Satto's son [[Bunei]] suceeded him in 1395, and oversaw the continuation of the policies and developments of his father's reign. Relations with China grew stronger, and a number of institutions were established to cater to Chinese envoys to Chûzan. Trade boomed, and relations with other countries likewise continued to be expanded. Though China accepted tributary missions from Hokuzan and Nanzan as well at this time, they officially recognized only the King of Chûzan as a head of state in Ryukyu. Chûzan continued to enjoy formal diplomatic relations with Ayutthaya and Korea, and trade relations with [[Java]], [[Sumatra]], and other states, as did the other two Ryukyuan kingdoms. However, only Chûzan managed to establish formal relations with Japan's [[Ashikaga shogunate]], having sent a mission in 1403. The Ryûkyû trade, which consisted chiefly of aromatic woods imported from Southeast Asia, was of such importance to the Ashikaga that they established a new office, the ''[[Ryukyu bugyo|Ryûkyû bugyô]]'', to oversee the trade.<ref>Yokoyama, 36.</ref>

 

These political advantages, coupled with control of Naha, the most active port on Okinawa, allowed Chûzan to gain significant political and economic superiority over its two neighbors. It also benefited greatly culturally; trade always brings cultural exchange along with it, and many of the states in the region were experiencing great cultural surges as a result. In particular, it is believed that [[Buddhism]] from Korea and [[Shintô]] from Japan were first introduced to Okinawa to a significant extent at this time. Students and other travelers to Korea brought back texts, statues, rituals, and other Buddhist objects and ideas, and in exchange, King Bunei promised to send shipwrecked Koreans, and those who were the victims of Japanese pirates (''[[wako|wakô]]''), back home safely.

Domestically, Bunei's reign saw significant development in the organization and formalization of the royal administration, and increased literacy and education among the administrative officials. Government documents, particularly those concerning trade and diplomacy, were first compiled in 1403. This compilation, the "Treasury of Royal Succession," is called ''[[Rekidai Hoan|Rekidai Hôan]]'' in the Japanese pronunciation, and continued to be compiled fairly regularly until 1619. However, this increased organization was not accompanied by political stability; the kings of Nanzan and Hokuzan, along with the emperor of China, all died within the span of just a few years (1395-1398). These events heightened tensions between the three kingdoms, all of which sought the favor of the Ming court, which was largely unresponsive; Bunei only received his formal investiture in 1406, ten years after succeeding his father, and less than a year before his own death.

Domestically, Bunei's reign saw significant development in the organization and formalization of the royal administration, and increased literacy and education among the administrative officials. Government documents, particularly those concerning trade and diplomacy, were first compiled in 1403. This compilation, the "Treasury of Royal Succession," is called ''[[Rekidai Hoan|Rekidai Hôan]]'' in the Japanese pronunciation, and continued to be compiled fairly regularly until 1619. However, this increased organization was not accompanied by political stability; the kings of Nanzan and Hokuzan, along with the emperor of China, all died within the span of just a few years (1395-1398). These events heightened tensions between the three kingdoms, all of which sought the favor of the Ming court, which was largely unresponsive; Bunei only received his formal investiture in 1406, ten years after succeeding his father, and less than a year before his own death.