Horses likely first came to the Ryukyus in the 11th century, from Kyushu.<ref>Umezaki Harumitsu 梅崎晴光, ''Kieta Ryûkyû keiba'' 消えた琉球競馬, Naha: Borderink (2012), 81.</ref> The first horse(s?) to be sent as gifts to Ming China were sent in [[1374]], with a mission led by [[Taiki]], younger brother of King [[Satto]], the first Ryukyuan mission to be sent to China. Records of Chinese merchants or officials journeying to Ryûkyû to purchase horses begin shortly afterwards. | Horses likely first came to the Ryukyus in the 11th century, from Kyushu.<ref>Umezaki Harumitsu 梅崎晴光, ''Kieta Ryûkyû keiba'' 消えた琉球競馬, Naha: Borderink (2012), 81.</ref> The first horse(s?) to be sent as gifts to Ming China were sent in [[1374]], with a mission led by [[Taiki]], younger brother of King [[Satto]], the first Ryukyuan mission to be sent to China. Records of Chinese merchants or officials journeying to Ryûkyû to purchase horses begin shortly afterwards. |