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In the 1520s to 1540s, the kingdom continued to buy vessels from the Ming, but almost exclusively only ships of a smaller size. Shipbuilding shifted to domestic, Ryukyuan, construction beginning around [[1548]]. Scholars remain divided as to the extent to which the kingdom's fleet at this time continued to chiefly include vessels purchased from China, ones built in Ryûkyû specifically for official purposes, or ones purchased or otherwise obtained from private Ryukyuan merchant use.<ref name=smits172/> Whatever the case may have been, by the 1570s, small, locally-built ships known variously as ''shôsen'' ("small ships"), ''tsuchibune'' ("local ships"), and by other terms, played a prominent, perhaps even dominant role. By the end of the 1570s, nearly all ships in the royal navy/fleet were made in Ryûkyû, albeit in forms in complete emulation of Ming vessels.<ref>Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', 172-173.</ref>
In the 1520s to 1540s, the kingdom continued to buy vessels from the Ming, but almost exclusively only ships of a smaller size. Shipbuilding shifted to domestic, Ryukyuan, construction beginning around [[1548]]. Scholars remain divided as to the extent to which the kingdom's fleet at this time continued to chiefly include vessels purchased from China, ones built in Ryûkyû specifically for official purposes, or ones purchased or otherwise obtained from private Ryukyuan merchant use.<ref name=smits172/> Whatever the case may have been, by the 1570s, small, locally-built ships known variously as ''shôsen'' ("small ships"), ''tsuchibune'' ("local ships"), and by other terms, played a prominent, perhaps even dominant role. By the end of the 1570s, nearly all ships in the royal navy/fleet were made in Ryûkyû, albeit in forms in complete emulation of Ming vessels.<ref>Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', 172-173.</ref>
==Trading Vessels==
==Local Vessels==
Fishermen and others going out to see from local villages used a wide variety of vessels, including paddled dugout canoes and plank-built boats. One particular style of fishing canoe, maneuvered either with sail or by oars, and still popular today, is known as ''[[sabani]]''. Multiple ''sabani'' were sometimes lashed together, and planks placed over them to create a larger floating platform known as a ''henzabune''; these were frequently used to transport larger cargoes, such as multiple heads of cattle or jars of [[awamori]], between islands.<ref>Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', 173-174.</ref>
By the 18th century, a style of vessel known as the ''[[maransen|maaransen]]'', based on Chinese forms, became a standard type used in trading within the kingdom.<ref>Gallery labels, Okinawa Prefectural Museum, Naha, August 2013.; Gallery labels, Oceanic Culture Museum, Ocean Expo Park, Nago, 2014.; "[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-42968-storytopic-121.html Maaransen]," Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia 沖縄コンパクト事典, Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003.</ref>
By the 18th century, a style of vessel known as the ''[[maransen|maaransen]]'', based on Chinese forms, became a standard type used in trading within the kingdom.<ref>Gallery labels, Okinawa Prefectural Museum, Naha, August 2013.; Gallery labels, Oceanic Culture Museum, Ocean Expo Park, Nago, 2014.; "[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-42968-storytopic-121.html Maaransen]," Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia 沖縄コンパクト事典, Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003.</ref>
Many areas within Ryûkyû also maintain a long tradition of [[dragon boats|dragon boat racing]] (''haarii'').
Many areas within Ryûkyû also maintain a long tradition of [[dragon boats|dragon boat racing]] (''haarii'').