Changes

Shô Shin also established a storehouse at [[Urasoe]] to store weapons, so that in a time of need they would not need to be gathered from more distant regions; a monument erected in [[1509]] speaks of this event, and misinterpretations of this action are among the key sources of the myth that Shô Shin confiscated all weapons to shut them away, not to be used.

Shô Shin also established a storehouse at [[Urasoe]] to store weapons, so that in a time of need they would not need to be gathered from more distant regions; a monument erected in [[1509]] speaks of this event, and misinterpretations of this action are among the key sources of the myth that Shô Shin confiscated all weapons to shut them away, not to be used.

He also saw to the expansion of the defenses of Shuri castle, specifically in closing up the northern wall of the castle compound, constructing a military road better linking Shuri and Naha, and creating a new military post, the ''[[boraagumi bugyo|boraagumi bugyô]]'', responsible for overseeing artillery technology and use. A series of fortresses were established around the Naha/Shuri area, including [[Yarazamori gusuku]] and [[Mie gusuku]] guarding the entrance to the harbor, [[Io gusuku|Iô gusuku]] which stored weapons and other supplies for the ''hiki'', and [[Tomigusuku gusuku]], a military commander center. A military road called "Pearl Road" (''shinju-michi'') connected these fortresses to the castle.

He also saw to the expansion of the defenses of Shuri castle, specifically in closing up the northern wall of the castle compound, constructing a military road better linking Shuri and Naha, and creating a new military post, the ''[[boraagumi bugyo|boraagumi bugyô]]'', responsible for overseeing artillery technology and use. A series of fortresses were established around the Naha/Shuri area, including [[Yarazamori gusuku]] and [[Mie gusuku]] guarding the entrance to the harbor, [[Io gusuku|Iô gusuku]] which stored weapons and other supplies for the ''hiki'', and [[Tomigusuku gusuku]], a military commander center. A military road called [[Madama michi]] connected these fortresses to the castle.

The total size of the Ryukyuan military, especially when outposts on outer islands are considered, is unknown. However, during the 1609 invasion, when Satsuma forces began to approach Shuri/Naha, the area immediately around the capital was able to quickly mobilize at least two main groups of warriors - one group of 1000 left Shuri to aid in the defense of [[Nakijin castle]], while another 3000 men are said to have defended the harbor. Meanwhile, various fortresses across the island (and beyond), including Nakijin and [[Urasoe castle]], had their own defenders, of unknown numbers.

The total size of the Ryukyuan military, especially when outposts on outer islands are considered, is unknown. However, during the 1609 invasion, when Satsuma forces began to approach Shuri/Naha, the area immediately around the capital was able to quickly mobilize at least two main groups of warriors - one group of 1000 left Shuri to aid in the defense of [[Nakijin castle]], while another 3000 men are said to have defended the harbor. Meanwhile, various fortresses across the island (and beyond), including Nakijin and [[Urasoe castle]], had their own defenders, of unknown numbers.