Changes

The elites of Chûzan also quickly adopted many elements of Chinese culture, and came to be recognized as "civilized", at least somewhat more so than earlier, by the Chinese. Hashi also oversaw the expansion and embellishment of [[Shuri castle]], and the placement of distance markers throughout the land, marking the distance to [[Shuri]].

The elites of Chûzan also quickly adopted many elements of Chinese culture, and came to be recognized as "civilized", at least somewhat more so than earlier, by the Chinese. Hashi also oversaw the expansion and embellishment of [[Shuri castle]], and the placement of distance markers throughout the land, marking the distance to [[Shuri]].

Meanwhile, though Hokuzan, the neighboring kingdom to the north, held no advantages over Chûzan economically or in terms of political influence, Hashi viewed their capital city castle of [[Nakijin gusuku]] as a threat militarily. When the opportunity presented itself in [[1419]], after three Hokuzan ''anji'' (local lords) turned to his side, Hashi led his father's army, and conquered [[Nakijin]] in a swift series of attacks. The king of Hokuzan, along with his closest retainers, committed suicide after a fierce resistance. A year after his father's death in [[1421]], Hashi requested official recognition and investiture from the Chinese imperial court, and received it in due course. It may be interesting to note that, despite the nominal independence of Ryûkyû into the 19th century, this practice would continue. The court bestowed upon him the family name Shang (''[[Sho Dynasty|Shô]]'' in Japanese), registered a new title in their annals: ''Liuqiu Wang'' (琉球王, Japanese: ''Ryûkyû-Ô'', King of Ryûkyû), and sent Hashi's emissary back with a ceremonial [[dragon robe]], and a [[lacquer]] tablet with the word ''Chûzan'' inscribed upon it. This Chûzan tablet was then placed on display outside Shuri Castle, where it remained until the 20th century.

Meanwhile, though Hokuzan, the neighboring kingdom to the north, held no advantages over Chûzan economically or in terms of political influence, Hashi viewed their capital city castle of [[Nakijin gusuku]] as a threat militarily. When the opportunity presented itself in [[1419]], after three Hokuzan ''anji'' (local lords) turned to his side, Hashi led his father's army, and conquered [[Nakijin]] in a swift series of attacks. The king of Hokuzan, along with his closest retainers, committed suicide after a fierce resistance. A year after his father's death in [[1421]], Hashi requested official recognition and [[investiture]] from the Chinese imperial court, and received it in due course. It may be interesting to note that, despite the nominal independence of Ryûkyû into the 19th century, this practice would continue. The court bestowed upon him the family name Shang (''[[Sho Dynasty|Shô]]'' in Japanese), registered a new title in their annals: ''Liuqiu Wang'' (琉球王, Japanese: ''Ryûkyû-Ô'', King of Ryûkyû), and sent Hashi's emissary back with a ceremonial [[dragon robe]], and a [[lacquer]] tablet with the word ''Chûzan'' inscribed upon it. This Chûzan tablet was then placed on display outside Shuri Castle, where it remained until the 20th century.

Thus, succeeding his father as king of Chûzan in [[1422]], and appointing his younger brother Warden of Hokuzan, he seized [[Shimajiri Osato gusuku|Shimajiri Ôzato]], capital of Nanzan, in [[1429]], from Lord [[Taromai]]. Thus uniting the island of Okinawa, he founded the Ryûkyû Kingdom and the Shô Dynasty.

Thus, succeeding his father as king of Chûzan in [[1422]], and appointing his younger brother Warden of Hokuzan, he seized [[Shimajiri Osato gusuku|Shimajiri Ôzato]], capital of Nanzan, in [[1429]], from Lord [[Taromai]]. Thus uniting the island of Okinawa, he founded the Ryûkyû Kingdom and the Shô Dynasty.