Changes

One of the most oft-discussed and perhaps most oppressive aspects of life under the kingdom for residents of the Miyakos was a [[poll tax]] (or "head tax") implemented in [[1637]] and continued by the Empire of Japan through the abolition of the kingdom, into the early years of the 20th century. Each individual (i.e. each "head") in the islands owed a certain amount to Shuri (and, later, to the prefectural government in [[Naha]]). This was not only a heavy tax burden simply in terms of the amount to be paid, but also because islanders were often obliged to pay in X, thus requiring them to convert their grain, textiles, or other products into X. This heavy tax burden frequently led to uprisings, riots, and protests. One particularly notable set of protests, known as the [[Miyako Island Peasantry Movement]], took place in [[1893]] to [[1895]], and not only involved local protests in the Miyakos, but also Miyako Islanders traveling to Tokyo to petition before the [[Imperial Diet]] for an end to the oppressive tax burden. The poll tax system was eventually abolished in [[1903]].

One of the most oft-discussed and perhaps most oppressive aspects of life under the kingdom for residents of the Miyakos was a [[poll tax]] (or "head tax") implemented in [[1637]] and continued by the Empire of Japan through the abolition of the kingdom, into the early years of the 20th century. Each individual (i.e. each "head") in the islands owed a certain amount to Shuri (and, later, to the prefectural government in [[Naha]]). This was not only a heavy tax burden simply in terms of the amount to be paid, but also because islanders were often obliged to pay in X, thus requiring them to convert their grain, textiles, or other products into X. This heavy tax burden frequently led to uprisings, riots, and protests. One particularly notable set of protests, known as the [[Miyako Island Peasantry Movement]], took place in [[1893]] to [[1895]], and not only involved local protests in the Miyakos, but also Miyako Islanders traveling to Tokyo to petition before the [[Imperial Diet]] for an end to the oppressive tax burden. The poll tax system was eventually abolished in [[1903]].

Despite all of this, however - the heavy tax burden, and the various officials dispatched to the islands - overall the kingdom's control over local affairs in the Miyakos and Yaeyamas was fairly loose. Local authorities such as Nakasone Tuyumya and his successors, referred to as ''kashira'' in Shuri records, were given considerable autonomy to manage local affairs.<ref>Smits, "Examining the Myth of Ryukyuan Pacifism"; Smits, "Rethinking Ryukyu," International Journal of Okinawan Studies 6:1 (2015), 7.</ref>

Despite all of this, however - the heavy tax burden, and the various officials dispatched to the islands - overall the kingdom's control over local affairs in the Miyakos and Yaeyamas was fairly loose. Local authorities such as Nakasone Tuyumya and his successors, referred to as ''[[kashira (Ryukyu)|kashira]]'' in Shuri records, were given considerable autonomy to manage local affairs.<ref>Smits, "Examining the Myth of Ryukyuan Pacifism"; Smits, "Rethinking Ryukyu," International Journal of Okinawan Studies 6:1 (2015), 7.</ref>

Much as imperial and shogunal authorities in Japan frequently exiled criminals or political enemies to distant islands, Miyako became a common destination for the kingdom to send exiles; [[Sokei Chugi|Sokei Chûgi]] (1686-1749), a court official known for his excellence at poetry, was among those exiled to Miyako.<ref>"[http://kotobank.jp/word/%E6%83%A3%E6%85%B6%E5%BF%A0%E7%BE%A9 Sokei Chûgi]." ''Asahi Nihon rekishi jinbutsu jiten'' 朝日日本歴史人物事典. Asahi Shimbunsha.</ref> Some of the men accused of killing US Marine [[Board Incident|William Board]] in [[1854]] were also exiled to Miyako.<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-42935-storytopic-121.html Board Jiken]." ''Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia'' 沖縄コンパクト事典. Ryukyu Shimpo. 1 March 2003.; [[George Kerr]]. ''Okinawa: The History of an Island People''. Revised Edition. Tuttle Publishing, 2000. pp331-332.</ref>

Much as imperial and shogunal authorities in Japan frequently exiled criminals or political enemies to distant islands, Miyako became a common destination for the kingdom to send exiles; [[Sokei Chugi|Sokei Chûgi]] (1686-1749), a court official known for his excellence at poetry, was among those exiled to Miyako.<ref>"[http://kotobank.jp/word/%E6%83%A3%E6%85%B6%E5%BF%A0%E7%BE%A9 Sokei Chûgi]." ''Asahi Nihon rekishi jinbutsu jiten'' 朝日日本歴史人物事典. Asahi Shimbunsha.</ref> Some of the men accused of killing US Marine [[Board Incident|William Board]] in [[1854]] were also exiled to Miyako.<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-42935-storytopic-121.html Board Jiken]." ''Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia'' 沖縄コンパクト事典. Ryukyu Shimpo. 1 March 2003.; [[George Kerr]]. ''Okinawa: The History of an Island People''. Revised Edition. Tuttle Publishing, 2000. pp331-332.</ref>