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The administration of the Kume community, and in particular of the reception of Chinese investiture missions, and preparations for tribute missions to China, was headed by an official called the ''Kumemura sôyaku'' (久米村総役), ''Kume sôriyaku'' (久米総理役), or ''sôri Tôeishi'' (総理唐栄司). He was of ''shikin dayû'' (紫金太夫) rank, the highest [[Ryukyuan court ranks|rank]] someone from Kumemura could achieve.<ref>Miyagi Eishô 宮城栄昌, ''Ryûkyû shisha no Edo nobori'' 琉球使者の江戸上り, Tokyo: Daiichi Shobô (1982), 46.</ref> This official also oversaw children's education within the community until [[1678]], when those responsibilities were taken over by a new post, called ''kôkaishi'' (講解師) or ''kunkoshi'' (訓詰師). Individuals to the latter post were appointed following an exam. The [[Kume Tenpi-gu|Kume Tenpi-gû]] was the center of elite education in the kingdom until [[1718]], when the Meirindô was established at the [[Shiseibyo|Confucian temple]].
The administration of the Kume community, and in particular of the reception of Chinese investiture missions, and preparations for tribute missions to China, was headed by an official called the ''Kumemura sôyaku'' (久米村総役), ''Kume sôriyaku'' (久米総理役), or ''sôri Tôeishi'' (総理唐栄司). He was of ''shikin dayû'' (紫金太夫) rank, the highest [[Ryukyuan court ranks|rank]] someone from Kumemura could achieve.<ref>Miyagi Eishô 宮城栄昌, ''Ryûkyû shisha no Edo nobori'' 琉球使者の江戸上り, Tokyo: Daiichi Shobô (1982), 46.</ref> This official also oversaw children's education within the community until [[1678]], when those responsibilities were taken over by a new post, called ''kôkaishi'' (講解師) or ''kunkoshi'' (訓詰師). Individuals to the latter post were appointed following an exam. The [[Kume Tenpi-gu|Kume Tenpi-gû]] was the center of elite education in the kingdom until [[1718]], when the Meirindô was established at the [[Shiseibyo|Confucian temple]].
The ''Kume sôriyaku'' was assisted by an official called the ''chagushi'' (長史), selected to serve for a period of two to three years. From [[1403]] to [[1646]], this title was held by the lead tribute ambassador, but after 1646, the title came to refer to this position within the town administration.
The ''Kume sôriyaku'' was assisted by an official called the ''chagushi'' (長史), selected to serve for a period of two to three years. From [[1403]] to [[1646]], this title was held by the lead tribute ambassador, but after 1646, the title came to refer to this position within the town administration. The ''chagushi'' served a key role in the management of financial, legal, diplomatic, and commercial matters.<ref>''Shinshun no en'' (New Year's Banquet) pamphlet, Shuri Castle Park, 2017.</ref>
The ''Kumemura hissha'' (久米村筆者, lit. "Kumemura secretary"), also known as ''zokkan daihicchô'' (属官大筆帖), was the chief secretary under the ''chagushi'', and oversaw the distribution of aristocratic stipends and systems of justice. The position was originally held only by people from Kume, but later came to be held by members of the Naha aristocracy as well, on occasion. The secretary served for a one-year term.
The ''Kumemura hissha'' (久米村筆者, lit. "Kumemura secretary"), also known as ''zokkan daihicchô'' (属官大筆帖), was the chief secretary under the ''chagushi'', and oversaw the distribution of aristocratic stipends and systems of justice. The position was originally held only by people from Kume, but later came to be held by members of the Naha aristocracy as well, on occasion. The secretary served for a one-year term.