Kaiki

• Japanese/Chinese: 懐機 (Kaiki / Huai ji)

Kaiki (C: Huaiji) was a Chinese-born official in the Ryukyuan Court, known for having designed the Chôkôtei embankment connecting Naha to the "mainland" of Okinawa Island, as well as sections of the outer gardens of Shuri castle, including the Ryûtan pond & gardens. The latter were one of several key areas used for receiving and entertaining Chinese investiture envoys to the kingdom.

Huaiji came to Ryûkyû from Fujian during the reign of King Shô Shishô (1406-1421). He served under four kings: Shô Hashi, Shô Chû, Shô Shitatsu, and Shô Kinpuku.

References

• "Kaiki," Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia 沖縄コンパクト事典, Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003.
• Gregory Smits, presentation at "Interpreting Parades and Processions of Edo Japan" symposium, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 11 Feb 2013.</ref>