Changes

* ''Japanese/Okinawan'': 北山 ''(Hokuzan)''

* ''Japanese/Okinawan'': 北山 ''(Hokuzan)''

* ''Founded: c. [[1314]]''

* ''Founded: c. [[1314]]''

* ''Conquered: [[1419]]''

* ''Conquered: [[1416]]''

Hokuzan was one of three kingdoms which controlled [[Okinawa]] in the [[14th century]]. Based at [[Nakijin]], on the Motobu Peninsula, it controlled the northern part of the island, its neighbors [[Chuzan|Chûzan]] and [[Nanzan]] controlling the central and southern regions respectively. Okinawa, previously controlled by a number of local chieftains or lords, loosely bound by a paramount chieftain or king of the entire island, split into these three more solidly defined kingdoms within a few years after [[1314]]; the [[Sanzan period]] thus began, and would end roughly one hundred years later, when Chûzan's King [[Sho Hashi|Shô Hashi]]<ref>Technically, Hashi's father [[Sho Shisho|Shô Shishô]] was king of Chûzan in 1419, and neither was called "Shô" until that name was granted them by the [[Ming Dynasty|Ming court]] in 1421.</ref> conquered Hokuzan in [[1419]] and Nanzan in [[1429]].

Hokuzan was one of three kingdoms which controlled [[Okinawa]] in the [[14th century]]. Based at [[Nakijin]], on the Motobu Peninsula, it controlled the northern part of the island, its neighbors [[Chuzan|Chûzan]] and [[Nanzan]] controlling the central and southern regions respectively. Okinawa, previously controlled by a number of local chieftains or lords, loosely bound by a paramount chieftain or king of the entire island, split into these three more solidly defined kingdoms within a few years after [[1314]]; the [[Sanzan period]] thus began, and would end roughly one hundred years later, when Chûzan's King [[Sho Hashi|Shô Hashi]]<ref>Technically, Hashi's father [[Sho Shisho|Shô Shishô]] was king of Chûzan in 1416, and neither was called "Shô" until that name was granted them by the [[Ming Dynasty|Ming court]] in 1421.</ref> conquered Hokuzan in [[1416]] and Nanzan in [[1429]]<ref>Chronology of Okinawan History. ''Okinawa rekishi jinmei jiten'' (沖縄歴史人名事典, "Encyclopedia of People of Okinawan History"). Naha: Okinawa Bunka-sha, 1996. p85.</ref>.

==History==

==History==

Roughly twenty years later, in the 1390s, the kings of all three kingdoms died within a few years, and succession disputes erupted across the island; similar events occurred in [[Nanking]] at the same time, with the death of the [[Hongwu Emperor]] in 1398. Previously, China had only ever recognized one head of state on Okinawa, but now all three kingdoms sent envoys and vied for the prestige, wealth, and power that would come with China's favor; no response came from China for eleven years. In 1406, [[Bunei]], King of Chûzan, was formally invested by representatives of the Ming Court in his position; the kings of Hokuzan would never enjoy this privilege.

Roughly twenty years later, in the 1390s, the kings of all three kingdoms died within a few years, and succession disputes erupted across the island; similar events occurred in [[Nanking]] at the same time, with the death of the [[Hongwu Emperor]] in 1398. Previously, China had only ever recognized one head of state on Okinawa, but now all three kingdoms sent envoys and vied for the prestige, wealth, and power that would come with China's favor; no response came from China for eleven years. In 1406, [[Bunei]], King of Chûzan, was formally invested by representatives of the Ming Court in his position; the kings of Hokuzan would never enjoy this privilege.

Despite its economic and political advantages, Hokuzan posed a not insignificant threat to Chûzan, militarily, since its establishment. In the 1410s, however, disputes among the vassals of Hokuzan's king weakened the kingdom, and in 1419, Chûzan found an opportunity to strike after three of those vassals (''[[anji]]'') defected. Following a fierce defense, Nakijin castle fell, and the king and his closest vassals committed suicide. Shô Hashi, king of Chûzan, appointed his brother Warden of Hokuzan in 1422, a post which would remain for many years, holding little overall power, but serving to maintain order in the north on behalf of Chûzan's court at [[Shuri]].

Despite its economic and political advantages, Hokuzan posed a not insignificant threat to Chûzan, militarily, since its establishment. In the 1410s, however, disputes among the vassals of Hokuzan's king weakened the kingdom, and in 1416, Chûzan found an opportunity to strike after three of those vassals (''[[anji]]'') defected. Following a fierce defense, Nakijin castle fell, and the king and his closest vassals committed suicide. Shô Hashi, king of Chûzan, appointed his brother Warden of Hokuzan in 1422, a post which would remain for many years, holding little overall power, but serving to maintain order in the north on behalf of Chûzan's court at [[Shuri]].

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|[[Min]]||珉||[[1396]]?-[[1400]]||Haniji Line||&nbsp;

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|[[Hananchi]]||攀安知||[[1401]]?-[[1416]]||Haniji Line||[[Sho Hashi|Shô Hashi]], King of [[Chuzan|Chûzan]] conquered Hokuzan in 1419.||

|[[Hananchi]]||攀安知||[[1401]]?-[[1416]]||Haniji Line||[[Sho Hashi|Shô Hashi]], King of [[Chuzan|Chûzan]] conquered Hokuzan in 1416.||

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