Changes

==History==

==History==

===15th century===

===15th century===

It is not clear exactly when firearms were introduced to Ryûkyû, but it is known that Ryûkyû enjoyed extensive trade with China, including trade in weapons, up until the 1450s, when a ban was placed on Fujian merchants selling weapons overseas, as these were needed to defend the coasts against ''[[wako|wakô]]'' raids. It is believed that gunpowder and firearms were first introduced to Ryûkyû from China, through this trade, though the Chinese Court had officially forbidden selling sulphur, or saltpeter (ingredients for making gunpowder) or gunpowder itself, overseas.<ref name=uezato77>Uezato. p77.</ref>　The fact that Ryûkyû obtained weapons and gunpowder despite both of these bans is evidence that the China-Ryûkyû trade consisted not solely of the official [[tribute]] trade, but extended to smuggling as well. Ryûkyû had no need to trade for sulphur, though, at least, since the kingdom had a supply from [[Iotorishima|Iôtorishima]], a small island near [[Tokunoshima]]; in fact, sulphur was something Ryûkyû frequently sent overseas in exchange for other goods, and there was even a so-called ''Iô gusuku'' ("sulphur warehouse") in [[Naha]] harbor expressly for the purpose of storing the material imported from Iôtorishima.<ref>Uezato. p78.</ref>

It is not clear exactly when firearms were introduced to Ryûkyû, but it is known that Ryûkyû enjoyed extensive trade with China, including trade in weapons, up until the 1450s, when a ban was placed on Fujian merchants selling weapons overseas, as these were needed to defend the coasts against ''[[wako|wakô]]'' raids. It is believed that gunpowder and firearms were first introduced to Ryûkyû from China, through this trade, though the Chinese Court had officially forbidden selling sulphur, or saltpeter (ingredients for making gunpowder) or gunpowder itself, overseas.<ref name=uezato77>Uezato. p77.</ref>　The fact that Ryûkyû obtained weapons and gunpowder despite both of these bans is evidence that the China-Ryûkyû trade consisted not solely of the official [[tribute]] trade, but extended to smuggling as well. Ryûkyû had no need to trade for sulphur, though, at least, since the kingdom had a supply from [[Iotorishima|Iôtorishima]], a small island near [[Tokunoshima]]; in fact, sulphur was something Ryûkyû frequently sent overseas in exchange for other goods, and there was even a so-called ''Iô gusuku'' ("sulphur warehouse") in [[Naha]] harbor expressly for the purpose of storing the material imported from Iôtorishima.<ref>Uezato. p78.</ref>

One of the earliest references to firearms in Ryûkyû is from the [[Annals of the Joseon Dynasty]]<!--李朝実録-->, dated to [[1453]]. According to that record, in [[1450]], a number of Koreans were shipwrecked on the island of [[Gajajima]], in the [[Tokara islands]], which were claimed by both Ryûkyû and [[Satsuma province|Satsuma]]. They were brought to [[Okinawa Island]], and were granted an audience with King [[Sho Kinpuku|Shô Kinpuku]], at which time a sort of "fire pipe" (火筒) was demonstrated for them, and they were instructed in its use. It is believed that this "fire pipe" was little different from the so-called "hand cannons" or "bird guns" which we see discussed more broadly, in Korea, China, and Japan as well, down into the 16th-17th centuries;<ref name=Uezato76>Uezato. p76.</ref> Another record, written by members of a party of Koreans shipwrecked in Ryûkyû in [[1462]], indicates that the "fire pipes" they saw in Ryûkyû were of the same type, size, and form as those they were familiar with in Korea.<ref name=uezato77/>

One of the earliest references to firearms in Ryûkyû is from the [[Annals of the Joseon Dynasty]]<!--李朝実録-->, dated to [[1453]]. According to that record, in [[1450]], a number of Koreans were shipwrecked on the island of [[Gajashima]], in the [[Tokara islands]], which were claimed by both Ryûkyû and [[Satsuma province|Satsuma]]. They were brought to [[Okinawa Island]], and were granted an audience with King [[Sho Kinpuku|Shô Kinpuku]], at which time a sort of "fire pipe" (火筒) was demonstrated for them, and they were instructed in its use. It is believed that this "fire pipe" was little different from the so-called "hand cannons" or "bird guns" which we see discussed more broadly, in Korea, China, and Japan as well, down into the 16th-17th centuries;<ref name=Uezato76>Uezato. p76.</ref> Another record, written by members of a party of Koreans shipwrecked in Ryûkyû in [[1462]], indicates that the "fire pipes" they saw in Ryûkyû were of the same type, size, and form as those they were familiar with in Korea.<ref name=uezato77/>

Historian [[Uezato Takashi]] points out that these episodes strongly imply that Ryûkyû already by this time had its own firearms experts, and was not merely relying upon imports from China, and Chinese experts.<ref name="Uezato76"/>

Historian [[Uezato Takashi]] points out that these episodes strongly imply that Ryûkyû already by this time had its own firearms experts, and was not merely relying upon imports from China, and Chinese experts.<ref name="Uezato76"/>

A Ryukyuan envoy in [[1466]] demonstrated Chinese-style firearms before the [[Ashikaga shogunate|Ashikaga shogun]] and his court; [[Stephen Turnbull]] describes this as the first gunpowder explosion to occur in Japan since the [[Mongol invasions]],<ref>Turnbull, Stephen. ''The Samurai Capture a King: Okinawa 1609''. Oxford: Osprey Press, 2009. p58.</ref> when the Mongols made use of a sort of grenade or bomb. Various records seem to imply that gun salutes came to be typical in Ryûkyû on certain occasions, such as when the king departed the palace on a journey.<ref>Uezato. p79.</ref> Still used today at certain festivals, such as the [[Naha Tug-of-War]], devices used for salutes are comprised of a triple barrel, each roughly 3cm in diameter and 20cm in length, attached to a long 180cm oak haft. These are also called ''hiyaa'' or ''hyaa'', but the character ''bô'', meaning rod or pole, is inserted, unpronounced, before those meaning "fire arrow."<ref name=uezato80>Uezato. p80.</ref>

A Ryukyuan envoy in [[1466]] demonstrated Chinese-style firearms before the [[Ashikaga shogunate|Ashikaga shogun]] and his court; [[Stephen Turnbull]] describes this as the first gunpowder explosion to occur in Japan since the [[Mongol invasions]],<ref>Turnbull, Stephen. ''The Samurai Capture a King: Okinawa 1609''. Oxford: Osprey Press, 2009. p58.</ref> when the Mongols made use of a sort of grenade or bomb. Various records seem to imply that gun salutes came to be typical in Ryûkyû on certain occasions, such as when the king departed the palace on a journey.<ref>Uezato. p79.</ref> Still used today at certain festivals, such as the [[Naha Tug-of-War]], devices used for salutes are comprised of a triple barrel, each roughly 3cm in diameter and 20cm in length, attached to a long 180cm oak haft. These are also called ''hiyaa'' or ''hyaa'', but the character ''bô'', meaning rod or pole, is inserted, unpronounced, before those meaning "fire arrow."<ref name=uezato80>Uezato. p80.</ref>

As there are no documents explicitly saying so, it is difficult to know if firearms were used as weapons, in battle, in the 15th century. However, Uezato points out that there were certainly conflicts in which they might, hypothetically, have been used, including an expedition to [[Kikai-ga-shima]] in [[1450]], [[Shiro Furi dispute|succession disputes]] in [[1453]], and the [[Gosamaru]]-[[Amawari]] Incident of [[1458]].<ref name=uezato80/>

As there are no documents explicitly saying so, it is difficult to know if firearms were used as weapons, in battle, in the 15th century. However, Uezato points out that there were certainly conflicts in which they might, hypothetically, have been used, including an expedition to [[Kikai-ga-shima]] in [[1450]], [[Shiro Furi dispute|succession disputes]] in [[1453]], and the [[Gosamaru]]-[[Amawari]] Incident of [[1458]].<ref name=uezato80/> Metal and stone rounds have been found in archaeological excavations at the site of Gosamaru's castle, [[Nakagusuku gusuku]].<ref>"The Nakagusuku Castle," pamphlet available at Nakagusuku.</ref>

The early Korean records allude to the presence of Ryukyuan officials within the government tasked with being in charge of firearms, but it is unclear if indeed such a post or position existed at the time. The ''[[Ryukyukoku yuraiki|Ryûkyû-koku yuraiki]]'' indicates a "head of production of firearms / fire arrows"<!--比屋勢頭親雲上 or 火矢勢頭親雲上--> (O: ''hyaa shii du [[peechin]]'') named Matsuuji (in the Japanese reading of the name) who is held to have introduced [[fireworks]] to Ryûkyû in [[1479]], so such a position seems to have been in place at that time. Furthermore, an official known as the ''[[boraakugami bugyo|boraakugami bugyô]]'' is known to have had gunpowder technology among his responsibilities.<ref>Uezato. pp77-78.</ref>

The early Korean records allude to the presence of Ryukyuan officials within the government tasked with being in charge of firearms, but it is unclear if indeed such a post or position existed at the time. The ''[[Ryukyukoku yuraiki|Ryûkyû-koku yuraiki]]'' indicates a "head of production of firearms / fire arrows"<!--比屋勢頭親雲上 or 火矢勢頭親雲上--> (O: ''hyaa shii du [[peechin]]'') named Matsuuji (in the Japanese reading of the name) who is held to have introduced [[fireworks]] to Ryûkyû in [[1479]], so such a position seems to have been in place at that time. Furthermore, an official known as the ''[[boraakugami bugyo|boraakugami bugyô]]'' is known to have had gunpowder technology among his responsibilities.<ref>Uezato. pp77-78.</ref>

===16th-17th centuries===

===16th-17th centuries===

By the end of the 16th century, these Chinese-style weapons were used extensively. It is believed that the technology, and the form of the devices, may not have changed very much. The simple addition of metal rounds, that is, ammunition, where previously gunpowder was used alone, converted devices which produced only light, sound, and heat (flame, sparks, explosions) for salutes and the like into weapons.<ref name=uezato82>Uezato. p82.</ref> Such "hand cannon" ammunition has been found in excavations at a great many sites, including [[Shuri castle]], [[Nakijin gusuku]], [[Goeku gusuku]], [[Tonakijima]]<ref>A small island betwen Okinawa to the east and [[Kumejima]] to the west.</ref>, [[Katsuren gusuku]], [[Itokazu gusuku]], and [[Ufu gusuku]]<!--大城グスク-->. Ranging from the 14th to 16th century, the rounds vary greatly in size and material. Materials used included stone, earth, iron, and bronze, and the rounds found range from one to two centimeters in diameter to more than ten centimeters.<ref name=uezato82/>

By the end of the 16th century, these Chinese-style weapons were used extensively. It is believed that the technology, and the form of the devices, may not have changed very much. The simple addition of metal rounds, that is, ammunition, where previously gunpowder was used alone, converted devices which produced only light, sound, and heat (flame, sparks, explosions) for salutes and the like into weapons.<ref name=uezato82>Uezato. p82.</ref> Such "hand cannon" ammunition has been found in excavations at a great many sites, including [[Shuri castle]], [[Nakijin gusuku]], [[Goeku gusuku]], [[Tonakijima]]<ref>A small island betwen Okinawa to the east and [[Kumejima]] to the west.</ref>, [[Katsuren gusuku]], [[Itokazu gusuku]], and [[Ufu gusuku]]<!--大城グスク-->. Ranging from the 14th to 16th century, the rounds vary greatly in size and material. Materials used included stone, earth, iron, and bronze, and the rounds found range from one to two centimeters in diameter to more than ten centimeters.<ref name=uezato82/>