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Little is known of the early history of the Yaeyama Islands. Though we can presume there were local rulers or chieftains of some sort in earlier periods, even official histories produced by the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]] and local legends in Yaeyama make no mention of specific notable, named, individuals prior to the 15th century. Trading ships from [[Okinawa Island]] are believed to have been regularly visiting the Miyakos and Yaeyamas at least as early as the late 15th century, however, with some sources indicating that the two island groups paid official [[tribute]] to the kingdom of [[Chuzan|Chûzan]] based on Okinawa as early as [[1390]].
Little is known of the early history of the Yaeyama Islands. Though we can presume there were local rulers or chieftains of some sort in earlier periods, even official histories produced by the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]] and local legends in Yaeyama make no mention of specific notable, named, individuals prior to the 15th century. Trading ships from [[Okinawa Island]] are believed to have been regularly visiting the Miyakos and Yaeyamas at least as early as the late 15th century, however, with some sources indicating that the two island groups paid official [[tribute]] to the kingdom of [[Chuzan|Chûzan]] based on Okinawa as early as [[1390]].
The earliest leader indicated by name in local legends or official Ryûkyû Kingdom histories is [[Yonahasedo Tuyumya]], an individual from [[Miyako Island]] who in the late 14th or early 15th century became nominal head of the Yaeyamas; however, there is little historical evidence for his existence and some consider him a purely legendary figure.<ref>Gregory Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', University of Hawaii Press (2019), 57.</ref>
The earliest leader indicated by name in local legends or official Ryûkyû Kingdom histories is [[Yonahasedo Tuyumya]], an individual from [[Miyako Island]] who in the late 14th or early 15th century became nominal head of the Yaeyamas; however, there is little historical evidence for his existence and some consider him a purely legendary figure.<ref>Gregory Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', University of Hawaii Press (2019), 57.</ref> The names [[Naata Ufushu]], [[Taira Kubo]]<!--平久保-->, and [[Nakama Mitsukeima Eigyoku]]<!--仲間満慶山英極--> also appear in some sources as "[[Era of Rival Chiefs|rival chiefs]]" who vied for power in the Yaeyamas in the 15th century, before finally being defeated by [[Oyake Akahachi]].
Akahachi is perhaps the earliest Yaeyama figure whose existence can be verified. According to official histories produced by the royal court at Shuri, in [[1500]] he led the people of [[Ishigaki Island]] in rebellion against Shuri, refusing to pay taxes or tribute as they had done previously. In these accounts, which [[Gregory Smits]] has indicated "take on the qualities of a Chinese-style morality play,"<ref>Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', 54.</ref> Oyake is presented as a villainous figure, taking advantage of chaos and disunity in the neighboring Miyako Islands as an opportunity to invade those islands. The virtuous [[Nakasone Tuyumya]] of Miyako then pushes Akahachi's forces back, not only defeating the invasion but going on to invade and conquer the Yaeyamas himself, even pushing as far as [[Yonaguni]], the westernmost of the Ryûkyû Islands; meanwhile, King [[Sho Shin|Shô Shin]] dispatches forces from Shuri to put an end to this violence. Nakasone then surrenders himself and all of the Miyakos and Yaeyamas to the forces from Shuri, willingly joining the Ryûkyû Kingdom and embracing peace, morality, and [[Confucianism|Confucian]] civilization.
Following Shuri's defeat of the islanders, the islands were then incorporated (albeit loosely) into the kingdom, and officials were dispatched from Shuri to oversee and administer the islands.<ref>Kerr, 115.</ref> Shuri appointed officials known as ''[[Shuri oyako|Ufu Sui uyaku]]'' and ''[[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>
Following Shuri's defeat of the islanders, the islands were then incorporated (albeit loosely) into the kingdom, and officials were dispatched from Shuri to oversee and administer the islands.<ref>Kerr, 115.</ref> Shuri appointed officials known as ''[[Shuri oyako|Ufu Sui uyaku]]'' and ''[[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>
Though negotiations between Beijing and Tokyo in [[1879]] over territorial claims nearly resulted in the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]] gaining control over the Miyakos and Yaeyamas, Beijing ultimately never signed the agreement; Tokyo unilaterally declared the kingdom abolished and all of the Ryûkyû Islands, down to Yonaguni, to be Japanese territory, ending the dispute.
Though negotiations between Beijing and Tokyo in [[1879]] over territorial claims nearly resulted in the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]] gaining control over the Miyakos and Yaeyamas, Beijing ultimately never signed the agreement; Tokyo unilaterally declared the kingdom abolished and all of the Ryûkyû Islands, down to Yonaguni, to be Japanese territory, ending the dispute.
For a time in the [[Meiji period]], the Yaeyamas, and Iriomote Island in particular, became the site of significant [[coal]] mining efforts; these were terminated after World War II.<ref>Kerr, 362.; Gallery labels, "Nature on Iriomotejima Island," Gallery 4 (Folklife), National Museum of Japanese History, July 2013.</ref>
==Culture==
==Culture==
Though ''[[Asadoya yunta]]'', one of the most popular Okinawan folk songs today, is widely-known by a series of Japanese-language lyrics, the song initially originates in Yaeyama, with lyrics in a local Yaeyama language.<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-40070-storytopic-121.html Asadoya yunta]." ''Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia'' 沖縄コンパクト事典. Ryukyu Shimpo. 1 March 2003.</ref>
Though ''[[Asadoya yunta]]'', one of the most popular Okinawan folk songs today, is widely-known by a series of Japanese-language lyrics, the song initially originates in Yaeyama, with lyrics in a local Yaeyama language.<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-40070-storytopic-121.html Asadoya yunta]." ''Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia'' 沖縄コンパクト事典. Ryukyu Shimpo. 1 March 2003.</ref>
The Yaeyamas are home to numerous sacred sites (known as ''on'' in Yaeyama, and as ''[[utaki]]'' on Okinawa) of the indigenous [[Ryukyuan religion]]. The [[bodhisattva]] [[Miroku]], adapted into local forms, is also widely worshipped in the region.<ref>Gallery label "Ishigaki-shi Tonoshiro no Miruku-jin" 石垣市登野城のミルク神, Okinawa Prefectural Museum.</ref>
The Yaeyamas are home to numerous sacred sites (known as ''on'' in Yaeyama, and as ''[[utaki]]'' on Okinawa) of the indigenous [[Ryukyuan religion]]. The [[bodhisattva]] [[Miroku]], adapted into local forms, is also widely worshipped in the region and appears in numerous local [[Sakishima seasonal folk festivals|folk festivals]].<ref>Gallery label "Ishigaki-shi Tonoshiro no Miruku-jin" 石垣市登野城のミルク神, Okinawa Prefectural Museum.</ref>
The [[Yaeyama Gongendo|Yaeyama Gongendô]] on Ishigaki Island, built in the 1740s, is considered the only surviving example of traditional Ryukyuan shrine architecture belonging to the complex of indigenous Ryukyuan religions.<ref>Suzuki Kakichi, Miyamoto Chôjirô and Ushikawa Yoshiyuki. "Ryûkyûan Architecture: Its History and Features." in ''Okinawa bijutsu zenshû'' 沖縄美術全集. vol. 5. Okinawa Times, 1989.</ref>
The [[Yaeyama Gongendo|Yaeyama Gongendô]] on Ishigaki Island, built in the 1740s, is considered the only surviving example of traditional Ryukyuan shrine architecture belonging to the complex of indigenous Ryukyuan religions.<ref>Suzuki Kakichi, Miyamoto Chôjirô and Ushikawa Yoshiyuki. "Ryûkyûan Architecture: Its History and Features." in ''Okinawa bijutsu zenshû'' 沖縄美術全集. vol. 5. Okinawa Times, 1989.</ref>
A woven four-and-five-squares motif known as ''[[minsaa]]'' is seen today as particularly emblematic of Miyako and Yaeyama, and is featured not only on the sashes to people's robes (where the pattern originated) but also on everything from storefronts to shopping bags.
==References==
==References==