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Shuri appointed officials known as ''[[zaiban (Ryukyu)|zaiban]]'' to oversee matters in the outer islands, on behalf of the royal government.<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41458-storytopic-121.html Zaiban]," Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia 沖縄コンパクト事典, Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003.</ref> These ''zaiban'' operated under the authority of a ''kuramutu'' (J: ''[[kuramoto]]'') based on [[Ishigaki Island]].<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41219-storytopic-121.html Kuramoto]." ''Okinawa konpakuto jiten'' (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). Ryukyu Shimpô. 1 March 2003. Accessed 16 January 2010.</ref> Beginning as early as [[1503]], Shuri also appointed ''Ôamu tsukasa'', priestess officials under the [[Oamushirare|Makabe Ôamushirare]] (''Makan Ufuanshitari'') high priestess based in Shuri, to serve as the chief religious officials in the Miyakos.<ref>Plaque at former site of Makan dunchi. [https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/15442912996/in/photostream/]</ref>

Shuri appointed officials known as ''[[zaiban (Ryukyu)|zaiban]]'' to oversee matters in the outer islands, on behalf of the royal government.<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41458-storytopic-121.html Zaiban]," Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia 沖縄コンパクト事典, Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003.</ref> These ''zaiban'' operated under the authority of a ''kuramutu'' (J: ''[[kuramoto]]'') based on [[Ishigaki Island]].<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41219-storytopic-121.html Kuramoto]." ''Okinawa konpakuto jiten'' (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). Ryukyu Shimpô. 1 March 2003. Accessed 16 January 2010.</ref> Beginning as early as [[1503]], Shuri also appointed ''Ôamu tsukasa'', priestess officials under the [[Oamushirare|Makabe Ôamushirare]] (''Makan Ufuanshitari'') high priestess based in Shuri, to serve as the chief religious officials in the Miyakos.<ref>Plaque at former site of Makan dunchi. [https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/15442912996/in/photostream/]</ref>

One of the most oft-discussed and perhaps most oppressive aspects of life under the kingdom for residents of the Miyakos was a [[poll tax]] (or "head tax") implemented in 16XX and continued by the Empire of Japan through the abolition of the kingdom, into the early years of the 20th century. Each individual (i.e. each "head") in the islands owed a certain amount to Shuri (and, later, to the prefectural government in [[Naha]]). This was not only a heavy tax burden simply in terms of the amount to be paid, but also because islanders were often obliged to pay in X, thus requiring them to convert their grain, textiles, or other products into X. This heavy tax burden frequently led to uprisings, riots, and protests.

One of the most oft-discussed and perhaps most oppressive aspects of life under the kingdom for residents of the Miyakos was a [[poll tax]] (or "head tax") implemented in [[1637]] and continued by the Empire of Japan through the abolition of the kingdom, into the early years of the 20th century. Each individual (i.e. each "head") in the islands owed a certain amount to Shuri (and, later, to the prefectural government in [[Naha]]). This was not only a heavy tax burden simply in terms of the amount to be paid, but also because islanders were often obliged to pay in X, thus requiring them to convert their grain, textiles, or other products into X. This heavy tax burden frequently led to uprisings, riots, and protests. One particularly notable set of protests, known as the [[Miyako Island Peasantry Movement]], took place in [[1893]] to [[1895]], and not only involved local protests in the Miyakos, but also Miyako Islanders traveling to Tokyo to petition before the [[Imperial Diet]] for an end to the oppressive tax burden. The poll tax system was eventually abolished in [[1903]].

 

Much as imperial and shogunal authorities in Japan frequently exiled criminals or political enemies to distant islands, Miyako became a common destination for the kingdom to send exiles; [[Sokei Chugi|Sokei Chûgi]] (1686-1749), a court official known for his excellence at poetry, was among those exiled to Miyako.<ref>"[http://kotobank.jp/word/%E6%83%A3%E6%85%B6%E5%BF%A0%E7%BE%A9 Sokei Chûgi]." ''Asahi Nihon rekishi jinbutsu jiten'' 朝日日本歴史人物事典. Asahi Shimbunsha.</ref> Some of the men accused of killing US Marine [[Board Incident|William Board]] in [[1854]] were also exiled to Miyako.<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-42935-storytopic-121.html Board Jiken]." ''Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia'' 沖縄コンパクト事典. Ryukyu Shimpo. 1 March 2003.; [[George Kerr]]. ''Okinawa: The History of an Island People''. Revised Edition. Tuttle Publishing, 2000. pp331-332.</ref>

Much as imperial and shogunal authorities in Japan frequently exiled criminals or political enemies to distant islands, Miyako became a common destination for the kingdom to send exiles; [[Sokei Chugi|Sokei Chûgi]] (1686-1749), a court official known for his excellence at poetry, was among those exiled to Miyako.<ref>"[http://kotobank.jp/word/%E6%83%A3%E6%85%B6%E5%BF%A0%E7%BE%A9 Sokei Chûgi]." ''Asahi Nihon rekishi jinbutsu jiten'' 朝日日本歴史人物事典. Asahi Shimbunsha.</ref> Some of the men accused of killing US Marine [[Board Incident|William Board]] in [[1854]] were also exiled to Miyako.<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-42935-storytopic-121.html Board Jiken]." ''Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia'' 沖縄コンパクト事典. Ryukyu Shimpo. 1 March 2003.; [[George Kerr]]. ''Okinawa: The History of an Island People''. Revised Edition. Tuttle Publishing, 2000. pp331-332.</ref>

These include folk songs such as ''[[Togani ayagu|Tôgani ayagu]]'', which are traditionally sung without instrumental accompaniment, or with wooden clappers or minimal accompaniment otherwise; the three-stringed ''[[sanshin]]'' typically associated with Okinawan music was historically limited to the royal court and aristocracy, and so was not available to commoners, especially on the outer islands.<ref>"Okinawa no uta to shokubutsu" 沖縄の歌と植物 ("Songs and Plants of Okinawa"), Lecture by Prof. Uchida Junko, National Museum of Japanese History Botanical Gardens, 27 July 2013.</ref> Some of the oldest songs still prominent in the folk song repertoire throughout Okinawa today are originally from the Miyakos.<ref>Robin Thompson, "The Music of Ryukyu," ''Ashgate Research Companion to Japanese Music''. Surrey: Ashgate Publishing (2008), 305.</ref>

These include folk songs such as ''[[Togani ayagu|Tôgani ayagu]]'', which are traditionally sung without instrumental accompaniment, or with wooden clappers or minimal accompaniment otherwise; the three-stringed ''[[sanshin]]'' typically associated with Okinawan music was historically limited to the royal court and aristocracy, and so was not available to commoners, especially on the outer islands.<ref>"Okinawa no uta to shokubutsu" 沖縄の歌と植物 ("Songs and Plants of Okinawa"), Lecture by Prof. Uchida Junko, National Museum of Japanese History Botanical Gardens, 27 July 2013.</ref> Some of the oldest songs still prominent in the folk song repertoire throughout Okinawa today are originally from the Miyakos.<ref>Robin Thompson, "The Music of Ryukyu," ''Ashgate Research Companion to Japanese Music''. Surrey: Ashgate Publishing (2008), 305.</ref>

Miyako is also known for its [[Ryukyuan textiles|textiles]]. Agave fiber, or ''tunbian'', is a specialty of Miyako Island. A type of fabric known as ''[[Miyako jofu|Miyako jôfu]]'' (roughly, "Miyako superior cloth") was from [[1659]] onward regularly given to Shuri as tribute or tax payment, and then given by Shuri in turn to the lords of Kagoshima, the Tokugawa shoguns, the Ming & Qing emperors, and others as a key element of gift or tribute offerings. Though lower-quality versions of the fabric, known as ''chûfû'' ("middle cloth") and ''gafu'' ("inferior cloth"), were also made historically, they are no longer produced.

Miyako is also known for its [[Ryukyuan textiles|textiles]]. Agave fiber, or ''tunbian'', is a specialty of Miyako Island. A type of fabric known as ''[[Miyako jofu|Miyako jôfu]]'' (roughly, "Miyako superior cloth") made from the fibers of a plant known as ''karamushi'' or ''chôma'' was from [[1659]] onward regularly given to Shuri as tribute or tax payment, and then given by Shuri in turn to the lords of Kagoshima, the Tokugawa shoguns, the Ming & Qing emperors, and others as a key element of gift or tribute offerings. Though lower-quality versions of the fabric, known as ''chûfû'' ("middle cloth") and ''gafu'' ("inferior cloth"), were also made historically, they are no longer produced.<ref>Gallery labels, "Churashima Textiles" exhibition, Shôto Museum, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Sept 2019.</ref>

Local [[Ryukyuan horses|horse]] breeds from the Miyakos were also historically a prized tribute good.<ref>"Kôba" 貢馬。 Okinawa Encyclopedia 沖縄大百科事典。Okinawa Times, 1983. vol. 2. p78.; "Miyako uma" ミヤコウマ。 Okinawa Encyclopedia. vol. 3. pp584-585.</ref>

Local [[Ryukyuan horses|horse]] breeds from the Miyakos were also historically a prized tribute good.<ref>"Kôba" 貢馬。 Okinawa Encyclopedia 沖縄大百科事典。Okinawa Times, 1983. vol. 2. p78.; "Miyako uma" ミヤコウマ。 Okinawa Encyclopedia. vol. 3. pp584-585.</ref>