Changes

One of the most oft-discussed and perhaps most oppressive aspects of life under the kingdom for residents of the Yaeyamas 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. The poll tax system was eventually abolished in [[1903]].

One of the most oft-discussed and perhaps most oppressive aspects of life under the kingdom for residents of the Yaeyamas 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. The poll tax system was eventually abolished in [[1903]].

Despite all of this, however - the heavy tax burden, and the various officials dispatched to the islands - overall the kingdom's control over local affairs in the Miyakos and Yaeyamas was fairly loose. Local authorities, authorized by Shuri and referred to as ''kashira'' in Shuri records, were given considerable autonomy to manage local affairs.<ref>Smits, "Examining the Myth of Ryukyuan Pacifism"; Smits, "Rethinking Ryukyu," International Journal of Okinawan Studies 6:1 (2015), 7.</ref>

Despite all of this, however - the heavy tax burden, and the various officials dispatched to the islands - overall the kingdom's control over local affairs in the Miyakos and Yaeyamas was fairly loose. Local authorities, authorized by Shuri and referred to as ''[[kashira (Ryukyu)|kashira]]'' in Shuri records, were given considerable autonomy to manage local affairs.<ref>Smits, "Examining the Myth of Ryukyuan Pacifism"; Smits, "Rethinking Ryukyu," International Journal of Okinawan Studies 6:1 (2015), 7.</ref>

Much as imperial and shogunal authorities in Japan frequently exiled criminals or political enemies to distant islands, Yaeyama became a common destination for the kingdom to send exiles; one man accused of killing US Marine [[Board Incident|William Board]] in [[1854]] was exiled to Yaeyama while several of his supposed compatriots were exiled to the Miyakos.<ref>Kerr, 331-332.; "[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.</ref>

Much as imperial and shogunal authorities in Japan frequently exiled criminals or political enemies to distant islands, Yaeyama became a common destination for the kingdom to send exiles; one man accused of killing US Marine [[Board Incident|William Board]] in [[1854]] was exiled to Yaeyama while several of his supposed compatriots were exiled to the Miyakos.<ref>Kerr, 331-332.; "[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.</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 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 originally in [[1614]] and rebuilt in [[1786]] following the devastating [[Meiwa tsunami]] of [[1771]], 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> It is considered the first, and now oldest, [[Shinto shrine]] in the Yaeyama Islands; the neighboring [[Zen]] temple [[Torin-ji|Tôrin-ji]], established at the same time, is similarly the oldest [[Buddhist temple]] in the Yaeyamas.<ref>Plaques on-site.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/54262407170/sizes/k/][https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/54262407375/sizes/k/]</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.

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.

[[Category:Ryukyu]]

[[Category:Ryukyu]]

[[Category:Geographical Locations]]

[[Category:Geographic Locations]]