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Governor of the [[Urasoe|Urasoe district]] which surrounded and included Chûzan's capital, Satto seized the throne for himself upon the death of King [[Seii]] in 1354 or 1355. His own line, or dynasty, however, would not last past his son, [[Bunei]], who would be ousted in 1406.

Governor of the [[Urasoe|Urasoe district]] which surrounded and included Chûzan's capital, Satto seized the throne for himself upon the death of King [[Seii]] in 1354 or 1355. His own line, or dynasty, however, would not last past his son, [[Bunei]], who would be ousted in 1406.

Chinese envoys arrived in Chûzan in 1372, requesting admission of Chinese cultural supremacy and that Okinawa send representatives to [[Nanjing]]. Satto complied with these requests without hesitation, as this would grant him formal license to trade with the most powerful nation in the region. He sent his younger brother [[Taiki]] to Nanjing in 1374, as the leader of a mission to formally submit to China, entering into tributary and trade relations. The [[Hongwu Emperor]] entertained the Ryukyuan mission, accepted their gifts, and sent them back with various gifts from China, including a royal seal which served as a symbol of investiture. A Chinese official accompanied the returning mission, and represented the Imperial Court in officially confirming Satto as king of Okinawa. Though Okinawa would never come to be conquered or annexed by China, this custom of investiture, of formally confirming the king in the eyes of the Chinese court, would continue as part of tributary relations until the dismantling of the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Ryûkyû Kingdom]] five centuries later. There would be at least nine tributary missions to China over the next twenty years, three of them led by Taiki.

Chinese envoys arrived in Chûzan in 1372, requesting admission of Chinese cultural supremacy and that Okinawa send representatives to [[Nanjing]]. Satto complied with these requests without hesitation, as this would grant him formal license to trade with the most powerful nation in the region. He sent his younger brother [[Taiki]] to Nanjing in 1374, as the leader of a mission to formally submit to China, entering into tributary and trade relations. The [[Hongwu Emperor]] entertained the Ryukyuan mission, accepted their gifts, and sent them back with various gifts from China, including a [[Ryukyuan royal seal|royal seal]] which served as a symbol of investiture. A Chinese official accompanied the returning mission, and represented the Imperial Court in officially confirming Satto as king of Okinawa. Though Okinawa would never come to be conquered or annexed by China, this custom of investiture, of formally confirming the king in the eyes of the Chinese court, would continue as part of tributary relations until the dismantling of the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Ryûkyû Kingdom]] five centuries later. There would be at least nine tributary missions to China over the next twenty years, three of them led by Taiki.

Diplomatic and trade relations were also established with a number of other states during Satto's reign, including the kingdoms of Korea<ref>Relations are believed to have been first established with [[Goryeo]] in 1389, which fell three years later and was replaced by [[Joseon Dynasty|Joseon]], though relations were for the most part undisrupted.</ref> and [[Ayutthaya]] (Siam). Trade was conducted with these kingdoms, and with China and Japan, via a number of small islands which served as way-stations. [[Tanegashima]], for example, was used as a transfer and supply point for traders bound for Japan's main islands and the [[Inland Sea]]. [[Miyakojima]] and the [[Yaeyama Islands]], small islands to the south of Okinawa in the Ryûkyû island chain, were among those which sent tribute to Chûzan.

Diplomatic and trade relations were also established with a number of other states during Satto's reign, including the kingdoms of Korea<ref>Relations are believed to have been first established with [[Goryeo]] in 1389, which fell three years later and was replaced by [[Joseon Dynasty|Joseon]], though relations were for the most part undisrupted.</ref> and [[Ayutthaya]] (Siam). Trade was conducted with these kingdoms, and with China and Japan, via a number of small islands which served as way-stations. [[Tanegashima]], for example, was used as a transfer and supply point for traders bound for Japan's main islands and the [[Inland Sea]]. [[Miyakojima]] and the [[Yaeyama Islands]], small islands to the south of Okinawa in the Ryûkyû island chain, were among those which sent tribute to Chûzan.