Changes

They worked closely with the [[Council of Fifteen]] (J: ''omote jûgonin''), the heads of the various bureaus and offices of government which constituted the "lower seats" of the government (O: ''shimu nu uza'', J: ''shimo no oza''). Policy decisions and actions were discussed between these "upper" and "lower" bodies, with decisions being ultimately determined by the king. The Fifteen included three ''umun bujô'', the two ''[[hicho nushidori|hichô nushidori]]'', and the seven heads and six ''ginmiyaku'' (vice-heads) of the ''[[sasu no soba]]'', the ''[[soshi kuri|sôshi kuri]]'', the [[Tomari]] [[Jito (Ryukyu)|jitô]] (oversaw the port of Tomari), and the ''[[hira no soba]]'' (judicial department).  

They worked closely with the [[Council of Fifteen]] (J: ''omote jûgonin''), the heads of the various bureaus and offices of government which constituted the "lower seats" of the government (O: ''shimu nu uza'', J: ''shimo no oza''). Policy decisions and actions were discussed between these "upper" and "lower" bodies, with decisions being ultimately determined by the king. The Fifteen included three ''umun bujô'', the two ''[[hicho nushidori|hichô nushidori]]'', and the seven heads and six ''ginmiyaku'' (vice-heads) of the ''[[sasu no soba]]'', the ''[[soshi kuri|sôshi kuri]]'', the [[Tomari]] [[Jito (Ryukyu)|jitô]] (oversaw the port of Tomari), and the ''[[hira no soba]]'' (judicial department).  

Lower ranks of officials included ''[[Jito (Ryukyu|Jitô]]'', who were the chief representatives of the central government overseeing districts or regions (''[[magiri]]'') of the kingdom; ''[[atai]]'', who oversaw specific types of lands, such as farmlands or forests; ''[[gechiyaku]]'', who were temporarily appointed to oversee economic recovery in areas in need of such recovery; and a number of other local authorities or trade officials with titles such as ''[[oyako|ôyako]]'' and ''[[Naha satunushi]]''.

Lower ranks of officials included ''[[Jito (Ryukyu)|Jitô]]'', who were the chief representatives of the central government overseeing districts or regions (''[[magiri]]'') of the kingdom; ''[[atai]]'', who oversaw specific types of lands, such as farmlands or forests; ''[[gechiyaku]]'', who were temporarily appointed to oversee economic recovery in areas in need of such recovery; and a number of other local authorities or trade officials with titles such as ''[[oyako|ôyako]]'' and ''[[Naha satunushi]]''.<ref>Gregory Smits. ''Visions of Ryukyu''. University of Hawaii Press, 1999. p165.</ref>

Civil officials were chosen from among the ranks of [[scholar-aristocracy of Ryukyu|scholar-aristocrats]] and commoners, based in part on [[Chinese imperial examinations|Confucian exams]], and in part on inheritance of positions through lineage. However, government positions and aristocratic holdings were not simply passed down intact as in [[Edo period|Tokugawa]] Japan; they diminished from one generation to the next, and had to be regained through accomplishment and reward for government service.

Civil officials were chosen from among the ranks of [[scholar-aristocracy of Ryukyu|scholar-aristocrats]] and commoners, based in part on [[Chinese imperial examinations|Confucian exams]], and in part on inheritance of positions through lineage. However, government positions and aristocratic holdings were not simply passed down intact as in [[Edo period|Tokugawa]] Japan; they diminished from one generation to the next, and had to be regained through accomplishment and reward for government service.