Changes

*''Written: [[Morishima Churyo|Morishima Chûryô]]''

*''Written: [[Morishima Churyo|Morishima Chûryô]]''

*''Published: [[1790]] ([[Suwaraya Ichibei]], Edo), [[1795]] ([[Hayashi Ihei]], Kyoto)''

*''Published: [[1790]] ([[Suwaraya Ichibei]], Edo), [[1795]] ([[Hayashi Ihei]], Kyoto)''

*''Japanese'': 琉球談 ''(Ryuukyuu banashi)''

*''Japanese'': 琉球談 ''(Ryuukyuu banashi, Ryuukyuu dan)''

''Ryûkyû-banashi''<ref>Though the characters of the title (琉球談) can be read "Ryûkyû dan," ''furigana'' in the original publication clearly identifies the reading as "Ryûkyû banashi."</ref> by [[Morishima Churyo|Morishima Chûryô]], a volume describing the history and culture of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]], was among the most accurate and popularly accessible books about Ryûkyû published in [[Edo period|early modern]] Japan. It was republished four times, became a source for nearly all later Edo period books on the subject, and has been described as the most popular book about Ryûkyû in the period.<ref name=fleming87>Fleming, 87-88.</ref>

''Ryûkyû-banashi'', also known as ''Ryûkyû-dan''<ref>Different original versions of the text include ''furigana'' glosses for the title, indicating its pronunciation variously as either ''Ryûkyû-dan'' or ''Ryûkyû-banashi'', depending on the copy.</ref> by [[Morishima Churyo|Morishima Chûryô]], a volume describing the history and culture of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]], was among the most accurate and popularly accessible books about Ryûkyû published in [[Edo period|early modern]] Japan. It was republished four times, became a source for nearly all later Edo period books on the subject, and has been described as the most popular book about Ryûkyû in the period.<ref name=fleming87>Fleming, 87-88.</ref>

Originally published by [[Suwaraya Ichibei]] in [[Edo]] in [[1790]], and then republished in [[Kyoto]] by [[Hayashi Ihei]] in [[1795]], the book was later republished twice more by Kibundô, and by Ishida Jihei, around [[1832]]. These latter two editions were sold as two-volume sets, presumably in order to raise the profit margins.

Originally published by [[Suwaraya Ichibei]] in [[Edo]] in [[1790]], and then republished in [[Kyoto]] by [[Hayashi Ihei]] in [[1795]], the book was later republished twice more by Kibundô, and by Ishida Jihei, around [[1832]]. These latter two editions were sold as two-volume sets, presumably in order to raise the profit margins.

The ''Ryûkyû banashi'' is divided into 31 entries or sections, some as short as a few lines, others going on for several pages, each describing a different aspect about the island kingdom. It begins with a history of the islands, foundation myths, and history of the [[Sho Dynasty|ruling family]], including the story of [[Minamoto no Tametomo]] (from whom the royal family was previously believed to have been descended), but also including mention of a [[Sho En|dynastic change]] some centuries ago. Later entries deal largely with general culture and customs, especially material culture (modes of transportation, architecture, clothing, food) and celebrations and festivals (weddings, New Years, funerals, coming-of-age ceremonies), as well as performing arts, and [[Okinawan language]]. The book includes a few mentions of odd things here and there – such as the islanders’ penchant for sneezing, or a particular market run only by women – but it is for the most part a more serious work, not focusing on unfounded rumors and exotic elaborations.

The ''Ryûkyû banashi'' is divided into 31 entries or sections, some as short as a few lines, others going on for several pages, each describing a different aspect about the island kingdom. It begins with a history of the islands, foundation myths, and history of the [[Sho Dynasty|ruling family]], including the story of [[Minamoto no Tametomo]] (from whom the royal family was previously believed to have been descended), but also including mention of a [[Sho En|dynastic change]] some centuries ago. Later entries deal largely with general culture and customs, especially material culture (modes of transportation, architecture, clothing, food) and celebrations and festivals (weddings, New Years, funerals, coming-of-age ceremonies), as well as performing arts, and [[Okinawan language]]. The book includes a few mentions of odd things here and there – such as the islanders’ penchant for sneezing, or a particular market run only by women – but it is for the most part a more serious work, not focusing on unfounded rumors and exotic elaborations.

While Morishima omits much of Xu's discussion of geography, climate, economy, trade, and local plants, the ''Ryûkyû banashi'' was nevertheless the first popularly accessible volume to address Ryukyuan culture in a holistic way, in contrast to certain earlier publications which touched upon only [[Ryukyuan dance]], language, music, poetry, or [[kumi odori|theater]], and not all of these together.

While Morishima omits much of Xu's discussion of geography, climate, economy, trade, and local plants, the ''Ryûkyû banashi'' draws heavily on the illustrations from Xu's volume. Only a few images in the ''Ryûkyû banashi'' are not taken from the ''Chûzan denshin roku''.<ref>Yokoyama Manabu 横山学, ''Ryûkyû koku shisetsu torai no kenkyû'' 琉球国使節渡来の研究, Tokyo: Yoshikawa kôbunkan (1987), 204.</ref>

Numerous copies survive today in libraries and archives in Japan and overseas; the text and images are also available in modern publication, in ''Morishima Chûryô shû'' ("Collection [of Works by] Morishima Chûryô").

 

Manuscript copies of the work are held today in the National Diet Library, Tsukuba University Library, and Kobe University Library, among other institutions. Numerous woodblock printed copies survive in libraries and archives in Japan and overseas; the text and images are also available in modern publication, in ''Morishima Chûryô shû'' ("Collection [of Works by] Morishima Chûryô").<ref>Takada Mamoru 高田衛, Hara Michio 原道生, and Ishigami Satoshi 石上敏 (eds.), ''Morishima Chûryô shû'' 森島中良集, Tokyo: Kokusho Kankôkai 国書刊行会, 1994.</ref>

==References==

==References==