Changes

* Japanese: 遠弥計赤蜂/オヤケアカハチ ''(Oyake Akahachi)''

* Japanese: 遠弥計赤蜂/オヤケアカハチ ''(Oyake Akahachi)''

Oyake Akahachi was a Ryukyuan local chief (''[[anji]]'') of [[Ishigaki Island]] who led a rebellion against [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Okinawan]] authorities in 1500.

Oyake Akahachi was a Ryukyuan local chief (''[[anji]]'') of [[Ishigaki Island]] who led a rebellion against [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Okinawan]] authorities in 1500. Though the most famous or oft-discussed of the local leaders in the Sakishima Islands at this time, in fact Akahachi (and his rebellion) was just one part of a [[Era of Rival Chiefs|broader period of conflict]] in the area, as various factions and individuals vied for power in the islands.<ref>Gregory Smits, "Rethinking Ryukyu," ''International Journal of Okinawan Studies'' 6:1 (2015), 5.</ref>

It is said that Akahachi was born on [[Hateruma]] Island, and that he was large and physically strong even as a child. He moved to Ishigaki Island as a young adult, and became the chief of Ôhama Village (today part of Ishigaki City) soon afterward. His influence soon extended over all of Ishigaki Island, and beyond, to other islands in the [[Yaeyama Islands]] group. At some point late in the 15th century, the nearby [[Miyako Islands]] were divided between two influential families, the [[Nakasone family|Nakasone]] and [[Kaneshigawa family|Kaneshigawa]], who were fighting one another for dominance of the area. Seeking to take advantage of the chaos and disunity, Akahachi proposed an invasion of the Miyako Islands. However, [[Nakasone Toyomiya|Nakasone ''Toyomiya'']] led a counterattack against Akahachi, overwhelming his forces and moving on to attack [[Yonaguni Island]] as well.

It is said that Akahachi was born on [[Hateruma]] Island, and that he was large and physically strong even as a child. He moved to Ishigaki Island as a young adult, and became the chief of Ôhama Village (today part of Ishigaki City) soon afterward. His influence soon extended over all of Ishigaki Island, and beyond, to other islands in the [[Yaeyama Islands]] group. At some point late in the 15th century, the nearby [[Miyako Islands]] were divided between two influential families, the [[Nakasone family|Nakasone]] and [[Kaneshigawa family|Kaneshigawa]], who were fighting one another for dominance of the area. Seeking to take advantage of the chaos and disunity, Akahachi proposed an invasion of the Miyako Islands. However, [[Nakasone Toyomiya|Nakasone ''Toyomiya'']] led a counterattack against Akahachi, overwhelming his forces and moving on to attack [[Yonaguni Island]] as well.

*"Oyake Akahachi." ''Okinawa rekishi jinmei jiten'' (沖縄歴史人名事典, "Encyclopedia of People of Okinawan History"). Naha: Okinawa Bunka-sha, 1996. p18.

*"Oyake Akahachi." ''Okinawa rekishi jinmei jiten'' (沖縄歴史人名事典, "Encyclopedia of People of Okinawan History"). Naha: Okinawa Bunka-sha, 1996. p18.

*Shinzato, Keiji<!--新里恵二--> et al. ''Okinawa-ken no rekishi'' (History of Okinawa Prefecture). Tokyo: Yamakawa Publishing, 1996. p57.

*Shinzato, Keiji<!--新里恵二--> et al. ''Okinawa-ken no rekishi'' (History of Okinawa Prefecture). Tokyo: Yamakawa Publishing, 1996. p57.

[[Category:Ryukyu]]

[[Category:Ryukyu]]

[[Category:Sengoku Period]]

[[Category:Sengoku Period]]

[[Category:Nobility]]

[[Category:Nobility]]