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The [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Kingdom of Ryûkyû]] is often misrepresented as pacifistic, or lacking in weapons or soldiers. In fact, the kingdom grew out of the fractious and violent [[gusuku period]] of Ryukyuan history, in which the [[Okinawa Island|island of Okinawa]] became covered with numerous stone fortresses called ''[[gusuku]]''; the myriad regional warlords, called ''[[anji]]'', who ruled from these fortresses, were eventually defeated and subsumed into three kingdoms, called [[Hokuzan]], [[Nanzan]], and [[Chuzan|Chûzan]]. At the beginning of the 15th century, [[Sho Hashi|Shô Hashi]], a lord from Chûzan, led violent campaigns and conquered the other two kingdoms, uniting the island and establishing the Ryûkyû Kingdom in [[1429]]. Over the next 180 years or so, the kingdom expanded, launching military campaigns against other islands in the [[Ryukyu Islands|Ryûkyû archipelago]], often meeting stiff local resistance, and occasionally clashing with samurai forces from [[Satsuma province]]. The kingdom was [[Invasion of Ryukyu|invaded]] by forces from Satsuma in [[1609]], and subjugated to Satsuma's suzerainty, marking the end of its active military exploits.

The [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Kingdom of Ryûkyû]] is often misrepresented as pacifistic, or lacking in weapons or soldiers. In fact, the kingdom grew out of the fractious and violent [[gusuku period]] of Ryukyuan history, in which the [[Okinawa Island|island of Okinawa]] became covered with numerous stone fortresses called ''[[gusuku]]''. Of the myriad regional warlords, many might be considered ''[[wako|wakô]]'' or "sea lords": brigands, pirates, and the like vying against one another for power and profit. At the beginning of the 15th century, [[Sho Hashi|Shô Hashi]], a lord from Chûzan, led violent campaigns defeating many of his rivals, uniting the island and establishing the Ryûkyû Kingdom in [[1429]]. Over the next 180 years or so, the kingdom expanded, launching military campaigns against other islands in the [[Ryukyu Islands|Ryûkyû archipelago]], often meeting stiff local resistance, and occasionally clashing with samurai forces from [[Satsuma province]]. The kingdom was [[Invasion of Ryukyu|invaded]] by forces from Satsuma in [[1609]], and subjugated to Satsuma's suzerainty, marking the end of its active military exploits.

==Early Military==

==Early Military==

Another Korean account from roughly the same period indicates that soldiers based at Shuri castle at that time were equipped with arms and armor extremely similar to that used in Japan; it's believed that most arms and armor used in premodern Okinawa were produced in Japan. This same account indicates that the king's personal bodyguard consisted of some one hundred female officials, armed with swords, who patrolled the palace or remained with the king.<ref>Gregory Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', University of Hawaii Press (2019), 93-94.</ref>

Another Korean account from roughly the same period indicates that soldiers based at Shuri castle at that time were equipped with arms and armor extremely similar to that used in Japan; it's believed that most arms and armor used in premodern Okinawa were produced in Japan. This same account indicates that the king's personal bodyguard consisted of some one hundred female officials, armed with swords, who patrolled the palace or remained with the king.<ref>Gregory Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', University of Hawaii Press (2019), 93-94.</ref>

==Shô Shin and Shô Nei==

==Shô Shin and Shô Nei==

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.

Ryukyuan warriors in the late 15th to early 17th centuries were armed with [[firearms in Ryukyu|firearms]] called ''hiyaa'' (lit. "fire-arrow"), obtained from China or made in Okinawa based on Chinese models, including not only handheld firearms, but also cannon and artillery (using 5-7cm shot) mounted at the fortresses or other emplacements. These Chinese-style firearms had been in use in Ryûkyû since at least 100 years before firearms were adopted in Japan, but in the end (in 1609), the European-style firearms, or ''[[teppo|teppô]]'', employed by the Japanese were far more advanced. The Ryukyuan warriors also used a variety of melee weapons obtained from China, Japan, or elsewhere, or produced locally, including Ryukyuan styles of swords and bows. Ryûkyû is said to have been a rather active entrepot at times for the trade in weapons, supplying [[Japanese swords]] to [[Ming Dynasty]] China; Ryûkyû kept many Japanese blades as well, refitting their hilts so that they could more easily be wielded one-handed.

Ryukyuan warriors in the late 15th to early 17th centuries were armed with [[firearms in Ryukyu|firearms]] called ''hiyaa'' (lit. "fire-arrow"), obtained from China or made in Okinawa based on Chinese models, including not only handheld firearms, but also cannon and artillery (using 5-7cm shot) mounted at the fortresses or other emplacements. These Chinese-style firearms had been in use in Ryûkyû since at least 100 years before firearms were adopted in Japan, but in the end (in 1609), the European-style firearms, or ''[[teppo|teppô]]'', employed by the Japanese were far more advanced. The Ryukyuan warriors also used a variety of melee weapons obtained from China, Japan, or elsewhere, or produced locally, including Ryukyuan styles of swords and bows. Ryûkyû is said to have been a rather active entrepot at times for the trade in weapons, supplying [[Japanese swords]] to [[Ming Dynasty]] China; Ryûkyû kept many Japanese blades as well, refitting their hilts so that they could more easily be wielded one-handed.  

 

==After 1609==

==After 1609==