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Though Hokuzan was the largest of the three kingdoms, it was also the poorest and the most sparsely populated. Much of its land was wild, and its few farming or fishing villages were more primitive than those of the other two kingdoms. Nakijin Castle (城 ''gusuku'') stood on an outcropping of the Motobu Peninsula, with drops of varying steepness on every side; the ruins which remain today indicate the development of a community of fair size around it, including residences for the king's vassals, and three shrines (拝所 ''[[uganju]]'') to the [[Ryukyuan religion|native religion]] within the castle walls.

Though Hokuzan was the largest of the three kingdoms, it was also the poorest and the most sparsely populated. Much of its land was wild, and its few farming or fishing villages were more primitive than those of the other two kingdoms. Nakijin Castle (城 ''gusuku'') stood on an outcropping of the Motobu Peninsula, with drops of varying steepness on every side; the ruins which remain today indicate the development of a community of fair size around it, including residences for the king's vassals, and three shrines (拝所 ''[[uganju]]'') to the [[Ryukyuan religion|native religion]] within the castle walls.

In addition to its deficiencies in agriculture and fishing, Hokuzan suffered from the disadvantage, relative to Chûzan, of holding no port to equal [[Naha]] (Okinawan: ''Naafa''). A small [[junk]] trade used the inlet below the castle's promontory as a dock. Nevertheless, the northern kingdom engaged in its share of trade with many of the other states in the region, including [[Java]], [[Sumatra]], and the [[Ayutthaya Kingdom]] of [[Siam]]. Chûzan entered a [[tribute|tributary relationship]] with [[Ming Dynasty]] [[China]] in 1372, and Hokuzan and Nanzan were granted similar commercial status shortly afterwards. Over roughly the next thirty years, only nine tribute missions were sent from Hokuzan to China; Nanzan sent nineteen and Chûzan sent fifty-two. Hokuzan also did not send any students to China, as Chûzan did.

In addition to its deficiencies in agriculture and fishing, Hokuzan suffered from the disadvantage, relative to Chûzan, of holding no port to equal [[Naha]] (Okinawan: ''Naafa''). A small [[junk]] trade used the inlet below the castle's promontory as a dock. Nevertheless, the northern kingdom engaged in its share of trade with many of the other states in the region, including [[Java]], [[Sumatra]], and the Siamese kingdom of [[Ayutthaya]]. Chûzan entered a [[tribute|tributary relationship]] with [[Ming Dynasty]] [[China]] in 1372, and Hokuzan and Nanzan were granted similar commercial status shortly afterwards. Over roughly the next thirty years, only nine tribute missions were sent from Hokuzan to China; Nanzan sent nineteen and Chûzan sent fifty-two. Hokuzan also did not send any students to China, as Chûzan did.

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.