Changes

*''Japanese/Chinese'': 冊封使 ''(sappoushi / cèfēngshǐ)''

*''Japanese/Chinese'': 冊封使 ''(sappoushi / cèfēngshǐ)''

Chinese investiture envoys were diplomatic missions sent by [[Ming Dynasty|Ming]] and [[Qing Dynasty|Qing]] China to the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Kingdom of Ryûkyû]] to perform investiture rituals, officially confirming the king of Ryûkyû in the eyes of the Chinese Imperial Court, and confirming his position as a [[tribute|tributary]] subordinate to the Chinese Emperor within the Sinocentric system of diplomatic relations.

Chinese investiture envoys were diplomatic missions sent by [[Ming Dynasty|Ming]] and [[Qing Dynasty|Qing]] China to the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Kingdom of Ryûkyû]] to perform [[investiture]] rituals, officially confirming the king of Ryûkyû in the eyes of the Chinese Imperial Court, and confirming his position as a [[tribute|tributary]] subordinate to the Chinese Emperor within the Sinocentric system of diplomatic relations.

Ryûkyû was the only kingdom to receive such missions. The investiture of the kings of other tributary nations, such as Korea and Vietnam, was conducted within China, with royal ambassadors being granted the investiture by proxy, on behalf of their king.

Ryûkyû was the only kingdom to receive such missions. The investiture of the kings of other tributary nations, such as Korea and Vietnam, was conducted within China, with royal ambassadors being granted the investiture by proxy, on behalf of their king.

When preparations were ready, Ryûkyû would send another emissary, to present the official request for investiture (請封, C: ''qǐng fēng''). This would be accompanied by a formal document, signed or sealed by a great many Ryukyuan officials, from the highest posts down to local lords, acknowledging widespread recognition of this particular king as the rightful king, and declaring loyalty to the man to be invested. In addition to the members of the mission appointed by the Qing Court, the lead investiture envoys were also able to select and invite specialists of their choice, including physicians, scholars, and musicians, to accompany the mission.<ref>Liao Zhenpei 廖真珮, "Ryûkyû kyûtei ni okeru Chûgoku kei ongaku no ensô to denshô" 琉球宮廷における中国系音楽の演奏と伝承, in ''Uzagaku no fukugen ni mukete'' 御座楽の復元に向けて, Naha, Okinawa: Uzagaku fukugen ensô kenkyûkai 御座楽復元演奏研究会 (2007), 109.</ref> Once the mission party was assembled, a Ryukyuan official would meet them (C: 接封 ''jiēfēng'', or 接貢  ''jiēgòng'') in Fuzhou<ref name=chen>Ch'en, Ta-Tuan. "Investiture of Liu-Ch'iu Kings in the Ch'ing Period." in Fairbank, John King (ed.) ''The Chinese World Order''. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1968. pp135-164.</ref>. All of these emissaries would travel with [[Ryukyuan tribute missions to China|Ryukyuan tribute missions]], and not on separate journeys in separate craft. In [[1689]], Ryûkyû requested, and was granted, permission to have the ''sekkôsen'' be tax exempt, in addition to the tribute vessels, and to have the total permitted size of missions increased from 150 to 200. This allowed the size of trade to increase as well.<ref>This came after the Dutch received similar privileges in 1686. Schottenhammer, 181-182.</ref>

When preparations were ready, Ryûkyû would send another emissary, to present the official request for investiture (請封, C: ''qǐng fēng''). This would be accompanied by a formal document, signed or sealed by a great many Ryukyuan officials, from the highest posts down to local lords, acknowledging widespread recognition of this particular king as the rightful king, and declaring loyalty to the man to be invested. In addition to the members of the mission appointed by the Qing Court, the lead investiture envoys were also able to select and invite specialists of their choice, including physicians, scholars, and musicians, to accompany the mission.<ref>Liao Zhenpei 廖真珮, "Ryûkyû kyûtei ni okeru Chûgoku kei ongaku no ensô to denshô" 琉球宮廷における中国系音楽の演奏と伝承, in ''Uzagaku no fukugen ni mukete'' 御座楽の復元に向けて, Naha, Okinawa: Uzagaku fukugen ensô kenkyûkai 御座楽復元演奏研究会 (2007), 109.</ref> Once the mission party was assembled, a Ryukyuan official would meet them (C: 接封 ''jiēfēng'', or 接貢  ''jiēgòng'') in Fuzhou<ref name=chen>Ch'en, Ta-Tuan. "Investiture of Liu-Ch'iu Kings in the Ch'ing Period." in Fairbank, John King (ed.) ''The Chinese World Order''. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1968. pp135-164.</ref>. All of these emissaries would travel with [[Ryukyuan tribute missions to China|Ryukyuan tribute missions]], and not on separate journeys in separate craft. In [[1689]], Ryûkyû requested, and was granted, permission to have the ''sekkôsen'' be tax exempt, in addition to the tribute vessels, and to have the total permitted size of missions increased from 150 to 200. This allowed the size of trade to increase as well.<ref>This came after the Dutch received similar privileges in 1686. Schottenhammer, 181-182.</ref>

The envoys, known as ''tiān shǐ'' in Chinese (J: 天史, ''tenshi''), were selected from a pool of nominees nominated by the Board of Rites, Grand Secretariat, Hanlin Academy, and Censorate. The roughly fifteen or so nominees would be presented to the Emperor, who would select a chief envoy and a vice-envoy from among them. As the investiture mission was one of formal ceremony and not one of diplomatic negotiations or foreign policy, diplomatic skill or experience was not a criterion for selection; envoys were generally chosen based on their formal classical education. Dressed and equipped with accoutrements far above their rank, the envoys

The envoys, known as ''tiān shǐ'' in Chinese (J: 天史, ''tenshi''), were selected from a pool of nominees nominated by the Board of Rites, Grand Secretariat, Hanlin Academy, and Censorate. The roughly fifteen or so nominees would be presented to the Emperor, who would select a chief envoy and a vice-envoy from among them. The lead envoy was typically a Manchu, and the vice envoy Chinese.<ref>[[Akazaki Kaimon]] 赤崎海門, ''[[Ryukaku danki|Ryûkaku danki]]'' 「琉客談記」 [[1796]], reprinted in ''Shiseki shûran'' 「史籍集覧」, vol 16, Kyoto: Rinsen shoten (1996), 629.</ref> As the investiture mission was one of formal ceremony and not one of diplomatic negotiations or foreign policy, diplomatic skill or experience was not a criterion for selection; envoys were generally chosen based on their formal classical education. Dressed and equipped with accoutrements far above their rank, the envoys were provided with a minimal amount of funds to support them on their journey. Local officials in Fuzhou saw to their accommodations there, and once in Ryûkyû, the burden was placed on the Ryukyuan government to pay for the envoys' food, shelter, entertainment, and other needs.<ref name=chen/> A Ryukyuan official known as ''omukae dayû'' (御迎大夫) met with the investiture envoys in Fuzhou, and escorted them on their journey to Ryûkyû.

were provided with a minimal amount of funds to support them on their journey. Local officials in Fuzhou saw to their accommodations there, and once in Ryûkyû, the burden was placed on the Ryukyuan government to pay for the envoys' food, shelter, entertainment, and other needs.<ref name=chen/> A Ryukyuan official known as ''omukae dayû'' (御迎大夫) met with the investiture envoys in Fuzhou, and escorted them on their journey to Ryûkyû.

==The Envoys in Shuri==

==The Envoys in Shuri==

The Chinese envoys arrived in ships called ''ukwanshin'' (御冠船, lit. "Crown Ships") in [[Okinawan language|Okinawan]]. The mission would usually consist of two official envoy ships, separate crafts carrying the chief envoy and his deputy, as some uncertainty accompanied the journey<ref name=kerr181>Kerr. p181.</ref>; these would be accompanied by a number of merchant ships. During Japan's [[Edo period]], an agent from Satsuma known as a ''kansen bugyô'' (冠船奉行, O: ''kwanshin bujô'', "Investiture (Crown) Ships Magistrate") would be sent down to Ryûkyû to supervise the exchanges and interactions between Chinese and Ryukyuan officials, albeit from somewhat of a distance, given the policy of hiding Satsuma's involvement in Ryûkyû from the Chinese<ref>Matsuda, Mitsugu. ''The Government of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, 1609-1872''. Gushikawa: Yui Publishing, Co., 2001. pp46-47.</ref>. A Ryukyuan office known as the ''[[hangaho|hangaahô]]'' in Japanese (C: ''píngjiàsī''), and based near the Tenshikan, set the prices of commodities imported in this way, and oversaw the purchases of the Chinese goods.<ref>Schottenhammer, "East Asian Maritime World," 45.; Schottenhammer, "Empire and Periphery?", 175n98.</ref>

The Chinese envoys arrived in ships called ''ukwanshin'' (御冠船, lit. "Crown Ships") in [[Okinawan language|Okinawan]]. These ships were often private merchant junks commandeered by the imperial court for this purpose, and transformed into official investiture ships simply by the addition of certain banners, medallions on the hull, etc.<ref name=pegg>Richard Pegg, "For the Record: Chinese Conferment Missions to Ryukyu from 1372-1866," talk given at Okinawan Art in its Regional Context: Historical Overview and Contemporary Practice symposium, University of East Anglia, Norwich, 10 Oct 2019.</ref> Though Ming/Qing scholar-officials only traveled to Ryûkyû in an official capacity roughly once in a generation, the crews on these journeys were individuals who traveled frequently between Ryûkyû and the China coast, whether as merchants or as crews for Ryukyuan tribute vessels, and who were therefore well-familiar with the route and the difficulties it presented.<ref name=pegg/>

Arriving in Shuri, the envoys generally stayed for four to eight months<ref name=shimpo/> at a residence known as the Tenshikan, and were extensively entertained by the Ryukyuan royal court. A number of structures built for this purpose (and reconstructed/restored in the late 20th century), including the [[Ryutan|Ryûtan]] pond and the Hokuden (North Hall) of Shuri Castle, can still be seen today on the castle grounds. The total Chinese entourage generally numbered between 300 and 800 people, and hosting and entertaining the Chinese envoys was an extremely expensive endeavor for the Ryukyuan court<ref name=kerr181/>, costing roughly 320,000 [[tael]]s of silver, much of which often had to be borrwed from Satsuma.<ref name=schott46>Schottenhammer, "East Asian Maritime World," 46.</ref> The envoys were treated to seven formal banquets during their stay, including for the occasions of [[Mid-Autumn Festival]] and [[Chrysanthemum Festival]], when there were extensive performances of music and dance within Shuri castle;<ref>Liao, 100.</ref> In addition, they were visited by senior officials and ministers once every five days, who brought the emissaries considerable amounts of food<ref name=chen/>.

 

Arriving in Shuri, the envoys generally stayed for four to eight months<ref name=shimpo/> at a residence known as the Tenshikan, and were extensively entertained by the Ryukyuan royal court. A number of structures built for this purpose (and reconstructed/restored in the late 20th century), including the [[Ryutan|Ryûtan]] pond and the Hokuden (North Hall) of Shuri Castle, can still be seen today on the castle grounds. The total Chinese entourage generally numbered between 300 and 800 people, and hosting and entertaining the Chinese envoys was an extremely expensive endeavor for the Ryukyuan court<ref name=kerr181/>, costing roughly 320,000 [[tael]]s of silver, much of which often had to be borrwed from Satsuma.<ref name=schott46>Schottenhammer, "East Asian Maritime World," 46.</ref> The envoys were treated to seven formal banquets during their stay, during which there were extensive performances of music and dance within Shuri castle;<ref>Liao, 100.</ref> These seven banquets were as follows: a banquet of condolences for the passing of the previous king (諭祭の宴, J: ''yusai no en''); a banquet of investiture (冊封の宴, J: ''sappô no en''); banquets for [[Mid-Autumn Festival]] (中秋の宴, J: ''chûshû no en'') and [[Chrysanthemum Festival]] (重陽の宴, J: ''chôyô no en''); and banquets for the exchange of farewell gifts (餞別の宴, J: ''senbetsu no en''), the envoys taking their leave (拝辞の宴, J: ''haiji no en''), and upon their actual departure (望舟の宴, J: ''bôshû no en'').<ref>Chia-Ying Yeh, "The Revival and Restoration of Ryukyuan Court Music, Uzagaku: Classification and Performance Techniques, Language Usage, and Transmission," PhD thesis, University of Sheffield (2018), 63.</ref>

 

In addition, senior officials and ministers visited the envoys once every five days, bringing them considerable amounts of food and other necessities.<ref name=chen/>

A "Minister of Dance" ([[Okinawan language|O]]: ''udui bugyô'') oversaw these entertainments; ''[[kumi odori]]'', a traditional form of Ryukyuan dance-drama, was first created and performed for entertaining an investiture envoy and his fellows, in 1719<ref name=kumi>Foley, Kathy. "Kumi Odori's Historical Context and Performance Practice." in ''Ryukyu Geino: The Legacy of Kin Ryosho''. Jimpu Kai USA Kin Ryosho Ryukyu Geino Kenkyusho Hawaii Shibu, 2008. pp45-56.</ref>. In that year, the two dance-dramas ''[[Nido Tichiuchi|Gosamaru Tichiuchi]]'' and ''[[Shushin Kaniiri|Shûshin Kani'iri]]'' were debuted during the fourth banquet, following a series of eight ''[[Ryukyu odori|Ryûkyû odori]]'' dances during the third banquet, many of which are still performed today in some closely related form. Japanese music and dance was also often performed for the Chinese envoys.<ref>Miyagi Eishô, ''Ryûkyû shisha no Edo nobori'', Tokyo: Daiichi shobô (1982), 131-132.</ref>

A "Minister of Dance" ([[Okinawan language|O]]: ''udui bugyô'') oversaw these entertainments; ''[[kumi odori]]'', a traditional form of Ryukyuan dance-drama, was first created and performed for entertaining an investiture envoy and his fellows, in 1719<ref name=kumi>Foley, Kathy. "Kumi Odori's Historical Context and Performance Practice." in ''Ryukyu Geino: The Legacy of Kin Ryosho''. Jimpu Kai USA Kin Ryosho Ryukyu Geino Kenkyusho Hawaii Shibu, 2008. pp45-56.</ref>. In that year, the two dance-dramas ''[[Nido Tichiuchi|Gosamaru Tichiuchi]]'' and ''[[Shushin Kaniiri|Shûshin Kani'iri]]'' were debuted during the fourth banquet, following a series of eight ''[[Ryukyu odori|Ryûkyû odori]]'' dances during the third banquet, many of which are still performed today in some closely related form. Japanese music and dance was also often performed for the Chinese envoys.<ref>Miyagi Eishô, ''Ryûkyû shisha no Edo nobori'', Tokyo: Daiichi shobô (1982), 131-132.</ref>

During their stay in Ryûkyû, the Chinese emissaries performed two rituals: not only the investiture ritual (冊封, C: ''cè fēng'', J: ''sakuhô'', ''sappô''), but also a ritual performed at [[Sogen-ji|Sôgen-ji]] recognizing the death of the former king as an "Imperial sacrifice" (諭祭先王, C: ''yùjì xiānwáng'', J: ''yusai sen'ô'')<ref name=chen/>. During this latter ritual, the envoys formally recognized the prior king for his "civilized" acts and observance of the Confucian order, thus further reinforcing the virtuous, upright, civilized, character of the line of kings, and their recognition and approval from the Ming, source of civilization and thus of political legitimacy.<ref name=chan39>Chan, Ying Kit, 39.</ref>

During their stay in Ryûkyû, the Chinese emissaries performed two rituals: not only the investiture ritual (冊封, C: ''cè fēng'', J: ''sakuhô'', ''sappô''), but also a ritual performed at [[Sogen-ji|Sôgen-ji]] recognizing the death of the former king as an "Imperial sacrifice" (諭祭先王, C: ''yùjì xiānwáng'', J: ''yusai sen'ô'')<ref name=chen/>. The ''[[ihai]]'' memorial tablet for the late former king would be placed out, along with offerings for his spirit, before which the new king would then perform a full ''[[kowtow]]'' (three kneelings, nine bows). The Ming or Qing lead and vice-envoys would then light incense in front of the memorial tablet and make an offering of liquor. Another Ming/Qing official would then read out a formal memorial statement, and then ritually burn the document. Finally, the heads of the investiture mission would perform a partial (one kneeling, three bows) ''kowtow'' toward the memorial tablet. This was followed by a formal banquet within the grounds of Sôgen-ji.<ref>"Sappôshi kankei chôsai ni tsuite"「冊封使関係調査について」, ''Fee nu kaji'' 南ぬ風 5 (2007/10-12), 14.</ref> Through this ritual, the envoys formally recognized the prior king for his "civilized" acts and observance of the Confucian order, thus further reinforcing the virtuous, upright, civilized, character of the line of kings, and their recognition and approval from the Ming, source of civilization and thus of political legitimacy.<ref name=chan39>Chan, Ying Kit, 39.</ref>

===The Investiture Ceremony===

===The Investiture Ceremony===

[[File:Sappogishi.jpg|right|thumb|320px|The investiture ceremony, as depicted in a model on display at Shuri castle]]

[[File:Sappogishi.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The investiture ceremony, as depicted in a model on display at Shuri castle]]

The investiture ceremony itself was performed in the central courtyard (O: ''unaa'') of Shuri Castle, where a structure called ''kettei'' (闕庭) was erected to represent the Chinese Imperial Court. A temporary wooden structure ringed with yellow curtains, it had a table in the center called an "incense platform" (香案), with incense burners, candlesticks in the form of dragons, and metal flower ornaments atop it. Five smaller platforms behind it held the Imperial seal, formal letters of investiture, and gifts from the Emperor. Much of the ceremony took place either within or just in front of this structure.<ref name=plaques>Plaques on-site at Shuri castle.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/30647141921/in/dateposted-public/][https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/30735555565/sizes/l]</ref> At dawn on the day of the ceremony, the Imperial patent<ref>For a brief overview of Chinese Imperial patents, see [http://www.npm.gov.tw/exh96/treasure/02_en.html this page] at the official website of the National Palace Museum, Beijing.</ref>, Imperial edict of investiture, and Imperial gifts to the king and queen were placed in small portable pavilions. A group of Ryukyuan officials involved with the ceremony met the Chinese envoys at the [[Shuri_castle#Gates|Chûzanmon]]<ref name=chan39/> (the second outer gate of the castle), kowtowed to the patent, edict, and Imperial gifts, and then led the envoys and these Imperial objects in procession to the ''unaa'', a distance of about three miles (ten ''[[Japanese Measurements|ri]]'') from the Envoys' Residence, passing huge crowds of people who had turned out on the sides of the road to see the procession<ref name=chen/>.

The investiture ceremony itself was a lengthy and extensive process. When first reenacted in 2004, it took nearly nine hours; since then, the organizers of such events have abbreviated the ceremony considerably, omitting many repetitive sections, such as the number of times that participants kowtow.<ref>Yeh, 64.</ref> The ceremony reenacted today during Shuri Castle Festival (''Shurijô matsuri'') at the beginning of November each year is based on the [[1800]] investiture of King [[Sho On|Shô On]].<ref>Yeh, 69.</ref>

 

The ceremony was traditionally performed in the central courtyard (O: ''unaa'') of Shuri Castle, where a structure called ''kettei'' (闕庭) was erected to represent the Chinese Imperial Court. A temporary wooden structure ringed with yellow curtains, it had a table in the center called an "incense platform" (香案), with incense burners, candlesticks in the form of dragons, and metal flower ornaments atop it. Five smaller platforms behind it held the Imperial seal, formal letters of investiture, and gifts from the Emperor. Much of the ceremony took place either within or just in front of this structure.<ref name=plaques>Plaques on-site at Shuri castle.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/30647141921/in/dateposted-public/][https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/30735555565/sizes/l]</ref> At dawn on the day of the ceremony, the Imperial patent<ref>For a brief overview of Chinese Imperial patents, see [http://www.npm.gov.tw/exh96/treasure/02_en.html this page] at the official website of the National Palace Museum, Beijing.</ref>, Imperial edict of investiture, and Imperial gifts to the king and queen were placed in small portable pavilions. A group of Ryukyuan officials involved with the ceremony met the Chinese envoys at the [[Shuri_castle#Gates|Chûzanmon]]<ref name=chan39/> (the second outer gate of the castle), kowtowed to the patent, edict, and Imperial gifts, and then led the envoys and these Imperial objects in procession to the ''unaa'', a distance of about three miles (ten ''[[Japanese Measurements|ri]]'') from the Envoys' Residence, passing huge crowds of people who had turned out on the sides of the road to see the procession<ref name=chen/>.

The use of temporary structures was not limited to the Ryukyuan case, for example because of the great distance from Beijing and the necessity of erecting something not normally used in Shuri; temporary structures were regularly erected in Beijing as well, for certain Imperial ceremonies and special occasions.<ref>Murakami Masakazu 村上正和, "18 seiki Pekin no gyôretsu to shukuten" 十八世紀北京の行列と祝典, in Kurushima Hiroshi (ed.), ''Egakareta gyôretsu'' 描かれた行列, University of Tokyo Press (2015), 350-351.</ref>

The use of temporary structures was not limited to the Ryukyuan case, for example because of the great distance from Beijing and the necessity of erecting something not normally used in Shuri; temporary structures were regularly erected in Beijing as well, for certain Imperial ceremonies and special occasions.<ref>Murakami Masakazu 村上正和, "18 seiki Pekin no gyôretsu to shukuten" 十八世紀北京の行列と祝典, in Kurushima Hiroshi (ed.), ''Egakareta gyôretsu'' 描かれた行列, University of Tokyo Press (2015), 350-351.</ref>

Originally, Ryukyuan kings were given robes of a lower rank, but later would be granted robes indicative of a rank equivalent to Imperial Prince. When the Ming dynasty fell and was replaced by the Manchu Qing dynasty, the Ryukyuans were permitted to maintain Ming costume, but were furthermore permitted to wear Ming costume only for the investiture ceremony itself; outside of the ceremony, even during the continued visit of the Chinese envoys, the Ryukyuan king and his officials were expected to wear Ryukyuan court costume.<ref name=dress/> By the 19th century, this Ming style of court dress, not seen in China for over a century and a half, became a considerable focus of curiosity and attention from the Chinese envoys<ref name=chen/>.

Originally, Ryukyuan kings were given robes of a lower rank, but later would be granted robes indicative of a rank equivalent to Imperial Prince. When the Ming dynasty fell and was replaced by the Manchu Qing dynasty, the Ryukyuans were permitted to maintain Ming costume, but were furthermore permitted to wear Ming costume only for the investiture ceremony itself; outside of the ceremony, even during the continued visit of the Chinese envoys, the Ryukyuan king and his officials were expected to wear Ryukyuan court costume.<ref name=dress/> By the 19th century, this Ming style of court dress, not seen in China for over a century and a half, became a considerable focus of curiosity and attention from the Chinese envoys<ref name=chen/>.

After the formal ceremony, a reception was held in the Hokuden ("North Hall") of Shuri castle. The king exchanged cups of wine with the envoys, and shared a banquet. ''Uta-sanshin'' and ''uzagaku'' were performed as entertainments.<ref name=kaneshiro/>

After the formal ceremony, a reception was held in the Hokuden ("North Hall") of Shuri castle. The king exchanged cups of wine with the envoys, and shared a banquet. ''Uta-sanshin'' and ''uzagaku'' were performed as entertainments; the ''sanshin'' pieces included ''[[Kajadifu-bushi]]'', ''[[unna bushi]]'', and ten other songs, most of which remain standard in the classical repertoire today.<ref name=kaneshiro/>

Following the investiture, an emissary would journey to the Chinese capital, to formally express gratitude (謝恩, C: ''xiè ēn'', J: ''shaon'')<ref name=chen/>.

Following the investiture, an emissary would journey to the Chinese capital, to formally express gratitude (謝恩, C: ''xiè ēn'', J: ''shaon'')<ref name=chen/>.

==Timeline of Missions==

==Timeline of Missions==

* 1404 - First investiture mission, led by [[Shi Zhong]]<!--時中-->, arrives for the investiture of Bunei<ref name=kenpaku-nenpyo/>.

* 1404 - First investiture mission, led by [[Shi Zhong|Shí Zhōng]]<!--時中-->, arrives for the investiture of Bunei<ref name=kenpaku-nenpyo/>.

 

* 1425-1430 - [[Chai Shan|Chái Shān]] and [[Ruan Jian|Ruǎn Jiàn]] journey to Ryûkyû for the investiture of [[Sho Hashi|Shô Hashi]].

* 1425-1430 - [[Chai Shan]] journeys to Ryûkyû for the investiture of [[Sho Hashi|Shô Hashi]].

*1443 - [[Liu Xun|Liú Xùn]]<!--劉遜--> is the deputy envoy on an embassy to invest [[Sho Chu|Shô Chû]].

* 1534 - [[Chen Kan]]<!--陳侃 (1489-1538)--> leads the mission.<ref>Thompson, Robin. "The Music of Ryukyu." Ashgate Research Companion to Japanese Music. Surrey: Ashgate Publishing, 2008. p311.</ref>

* 1534 - [[Chen Kan|Chén Kǎn]]<!--陳侃 (1489-1538)--> leads the mission.<ref>Thompson, Robin. "The Music of Ryukyu." Ashgate Research Companion to Japanese Music. Surrey: Ashgate Publishing, 2008. p311.</ref>

* 1562 - [[Sho Gen|Shô Gen]] is invested as king.

* 1562 - [[Sho Gen|Shô Gen]] is invested as king.

* 1606 - A mission led by [[Xia Ziyang]]<!--夏子陽--> arrives in Ryûkyû for the investiture of [[Sho Nei|Shô Nei]].

* 1606 - A mission led by [[Xia Ziyang]]<!--夏子陽--> arrives in Ryûkyû for the investiture of [[Sho Nei|Shô Nei]].

* 1633 - A mission led by [[Du Sanjun]]<!--杜三策, Du Sance?--> and [[Yang Lun]]<!--揚掄--><ref>Tomiyama Kazuyuki, ''Ryûkyû ôkoku no gaikô to ôken'', Yoshikawa Kôbunkan (2004), 121.</ref> invests King [[Sho Ho|Shô Hô]]. This is the first investiture mission since the 1609 invasion, and the last sent by the Ming Dynasty.<ref>Miyagi Eishô 宮城栄昌, ''Ryûkyû shisha no Edo nobori'' 琉球使者の江戸上り, Tokyo: Daiichi Shobô (1982), 24.</ref>

* 1633 - A mission led by [[Du Sance]]<!--杜三策--> and [[Yang Lun]]<!--揚掄--><ref>Tomiyama Kazuyuki, ''Ryûkyû ôkoku no gaikô to ôken'', Yoshikawa Kôbunkan (2004), 121.</ref> invests King [[Sho Ho|Shô Hô]]. This is the first investiture mission since the 1609 invasion, and the last sent by the Ming Dynasty.<ref>Miyagi Eishô 宮城栄昌, ''Ryûkyû shisha no Edo nobori'' 琉球使者の江戸上り, Tokyo: Daiichi Shobô (1982), 24.</ref>

* 1654 - A mission led by Zhang Xueli<!--張學禮--> and Wang Gai is organized, to travel to Ryûkyû, to discuss Ryûkyû's position under Qing authority; the mission does not make it to Ryûkyû, however, being blocked by Ming loyalists.

* 1654 - A mission led by Zhang Xueli<!--張學禮--> and Wang Gai is organized, to travel to Ryûkyû, to discuss Ryûkyû's position under Qing authority; the mission does not make it to Ryûkyû, however, being blocked by Ming loyalists.