Changes

==Fuzhou==

==Fuzhou==

The other ''Ryûkyû-kan'' (''Liuqiu guan'' in Chinese ''pinyin''), was located in the Chinese city of Fuzhou. Built around 1430-1440, and originally known as the ''rouyuan yi'' (J: ''jûen-eki''),<ref>柔遠駅. A station (駅) for treating gently (柔) people from faraway (遠).</ref> this was one of a number of stations established by the Chinese to cater to foreign visitors. Fuzhou became the official site for Ryukyuan business in China in [[1470]], and for a Maritime Trade Office, or ''[[shibosi]]'' previously located in [[Quanzhou]]. The administration of the ''rouyuan yi'' in Fuzhou, now known as the ''Ryûkyû-kan'', which had previously been operated by Chinese officials, was now placed under Ryukyuan control. The hall now took on a more official status as the chief Ryukyuan headquarters in southern China, as the ''laiyuan yi'' (J: ''raien-eki'', lit. "station for [those who] come from faraway"), a similar institution in Quanzhou, declined. Custom dictated that establishments for foreigners, such as this one, be placed outside the city gates, so as to prevent visiting foreigners from spying on formal goings-on within the city; to that end, the ''Ryûkyû-kan'' was built just beyond the city gates (specifically, the Suibumen<!--水部門-->).

The other ''Ryûkyû-kan'' (''Liuqiu guan'' in Chinese ''pinyin''), was located in the Chinese city of Fuzhou. Built around 1430-1440, and originally known as the ''róuyuǎn yì'' (J: ''jûen-eki''),<ref>柔遠駅. A station (駅) for treating gently (柔) people from faraway (遠).</ref> this was one of a number of stations established by the Chinese to cater to foreign visitors. Fuzhou became the official site for Ryukyuan business in China in [[1470]], and for a Maritime Trade Office, or ''[[shibosi|shìbósī]]'' previously located in [[Quanzhou]]. The administration of the ''róuyuǎn yì'' in Fuzhou, now known as the ''Ryûkyû-kan'', which had previously been operated by Chinese officials, was now placed under Ryukyuan control. The hall now took on a more official status as the chief Ryukyuan headquarters in southern China, as the ''láiyuǎn yì'' (来遠駅, lit. "station for [those who] come from faraway"), a similar institution in Quanzhou, declined. Custom dictated that establishments for foreigners, such as this one, be placed outside the city gates, so as to prevent visiting foreigners from spying on formal goings-on within the city; to that end, the ''Ryûkyû-kan'' was built just beyond the city gates (specifically, the Shuǐbù-mén<!--水部門-->). A bridge called Wànshòu-qiáo (萬寿橋) stood nearby.

The Ryûkyû-kan covered roughly 5600 m², and contained a variety of facilities. Its dormitories were one of three places in the city, along with the nearby ''[[Kaido-kan]]'' and ''[[Kokushi-kan]]''<ref>"Rekidai Hoan." p13.</ref>, which housed visiting dignitaries, scholars and students, most of whom were stopping in Fuzhou on their way between Beijing and Okinawa. The costs of hosting these visitors were mostly borne by the Chinese side. The Ryûkyû-kan also contained storage areas, where goods being gathered or prepared to be given as [[tribute]] were held, alongside offices for liaising with the Fuzhou ''shiboshi'' Maritime Trade Office. A series of shrines on the grounds were dedicated to Tenpi ([[Mazu]]) and local deities, and a mortuary chapel was erected in the memory of Ryukyuans who died in China. Chinese officials also maintained a residence at the Ryûkyû-kan.

The Ryûkyû-kan covered roughly 5600 m², and contained a variety of facilities. Its dormitories were one of three places in the city, along with the nearby ''[[Kaido-kan]]'' and ''[[Kokushi-kan]]''<ref>"Rekidai Hoan." p13.</ref>, which housed visiting dignitaries, scholars and students, most of whom were stopping in Fuzhou on their way between Beijing and Okinawa. The costs of hosting these visitors were mostly borne by the Chinese side. The Ryûkyû-kan also contained storage areas, where goods being gathered or prepared to be given as [[tribute]] were held, alongside offices for liaising with the Fuzhou ''shiboshi'' Maritime Trade Office. A series of shrines on the grounds were dedicated to Tenpi ([[Mazu]]) and local deities, and a mortuary chapel was erected in the memory of Ryukyuans who died in China. Chinese officials also maintained a residence at the Ryûkyû-kan.