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There were, essentially, three classes of aristocracy in Ryûkyû: the Princes (''ôji'') and ''[[anji]]'' at the top, the land-holders (''[[satunushi]]''), and the non-landholders (''[[chikudun]]'').<ref>Terms given here in Okinawan, e.g. ''shisshi'', ''sanshikwan'', ''satunushi'', and ''zashichi'', instead of in standard Japanese, e.g. ''sessei'', ''sanshikan'', ''sato-nushi'', and ''zashiki''.</ref>

There were, essentially, three classes of aristocracy in [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû]]: the Princes (''ôji'') and ''[[anji]]'' at the top, the land-holders (''[[satunushi]]''), and the non-landholders (''[[chikudun]]'').<ref>Terms given here in Okinawan, e.g. ''shisshi'', ''sanshikwan'', ''satunushi'', and ''zashichi'', instead of in standard Japanese, e.g. ''sessei'', ''sanshikan'', ''sato-nushi'', and ''zashiki''.</ref>

All three classes functioned similarly, in that class or rank could be obtained either by birth, or as a reward for meritorious service. Those bearing the title ''ôji'' (Prince) were either the sons of the king, or were simply granted that high title as a reward for service. Yet, they could not pass on the title of ''ôji''. ''Anji'' were either the eldest sons of ''ôji'', or of ''anji'', or were men who were granted the title of ''anji'' as a reward for service.

All three classes functioned similarly, in that class or rank could be obtained either by birth, or as a reward for meritorious service. Those bearing the title ''ôji'' (Prince) were either the sons of the king, or were simply granted that high title as a reward for service. Yet, they could not pass on the title of ''ôji''. ''Anji'' were either the eldest sons of ''ôji'', or of ''anji'', or were men who were granted the title of ''anji'' as a reward for service.

Members of the ''satunushi'' class passed on that status in hereditary fashion, and were eligible for such court rank as would earn them the title ''[[peechin]]'' or the higher-ranking ''[[ueekata]]'', and which would earn them land (fiefs). ''Peechin'' held smaller fiefs, while ''ueekata'' were granted ''[[majiri]]''. Members of the ''chikudun'' class, similarly, passed on that status in hereditary fashion, and were eligible for various positions in the government bureaucracy, as well as for the title of ''peechin'', but were generally not eligible to receive fiefs.

Members of the ''satunushi'' class passed on that status in hereditary fashion, and were eligible for such court rank as would earn them the title ''[[peechin]]'' or the higher-ranking ''[[ueekata]]'', and which would earn them land (fiefs). ''Peechin'' held smaller fiefs, while ''ueekata'' were granted ''[[majiri]]''. Members of the ''chikudun'' class, similarly, passed on that status in hereditary fashion, and were eligible for various positions in the government bureaucracy, as well as for the title of ''peechin'', but were generally not eligible to receive fiefs. Commoners (those lacking aristocratic [[kafu|lineage]]) could hold government positions and ranks as high as ''peechin'', while some aristocrats never rose above ''chikudun'' status; thus, the division between aristocracy and commoners was not quite as stark as one might expect.<ref>Akamine Mamoru, Lina Terrell (trans.), Robert Huey (ed.), ''The Ryukyu Kingdom: Cornerstone of East Asia'', University of Hawaii Press (2017), 81.</ref>

These titles and classes were tied into a system of nine court ranks, each sub-divided into "upper" and "lower," much like the Japanese system of [[court rank]]. Status was symbolized by a hierarchy of colors of ''[[hachimaki]]'' (caps or turbans) and of robes, and by what material one's hairpin was made of, though these distinctions were most visible only at the highest levels. One's rank was determined chiefly by heredity, by service, and by age; some ranks were held chiefly by younger aristocrats, who would gain rank when they grew older.

These titles and classes were tied into a system of nine court ranks, each sub-divided into "upper" and "lower," much like the Japanese system of [[court rank]]. Under a system established by King [[Sho Shin|Shô Shin]] in [[1524]],<ref>''Earth Exhibit of Ryukyu Kingdom''. Ryûfûan Hawaii. 2010. p12.</ref> status was symbolized by a hierarchy of colors of ''[[hachimaki]]'' (caps or turbans) and of robes, and by what material one's [[hairpin]] was made of, though these distinctions were most visible only at the highest levels. One's rank was determined chiefly by heredity, by service, and by age; some ranks were held chiefly by younger aristocrats, who would gain rank when they grew older.

Up until [[1663]], nobles wore [[buzi|status badges]] or insignia squares on the front of their robes, in the Chinese style; after [[1683]], color took over as the chief indicator of rank, with wives and daughters of nobles also wearing colors indicative of their family's rank.

Up until [[1663]], nobles wore [[buzi|status badges]] or insignia squares on the front of their robes, in the Chinese style; after [[1683]], color took over as the chief indicator of rank, with wives and daughters of nobles also wearing colors indicative of their family's rank.

*The ''ôji'' and ''anji'', along with the ''[[sessei|shisshi]]'' (royal advisor), were above the nine ranks, and wore caps with a five-color design on a red ground, and gold & green robes.

*The ''ôji'' and ''anji'', along with the ''[[sessei|shisshi]]'' (royal advisor), were above the nine ranks, and wore embroidered caps called ''ukiorikan'', with a five-color design on a red ground, and gold & green robes.

*The First Rank consisted of members of the [[Sanshikan|Sanshikwan]], the Council of Three, who held the title of ''ueekata''. The Upper First rank wore caps with a five-color design, like that of the ''ôji'' and ''anji'', but against a purple ground, and also wore gold and green robes, while the Lower First Rank wore purple caps with purple designs, and blue robes.

*The First Rank consisted of members of the [[Sanshikan|Sanshikwan]], the Council of Three, who held the title of ''ueekata''. The Upper First rank wore caps with a five-color design, like that of the ''ôji'' and ''anji'', but against a purple ground, and also wore gold and green robes, while the Lower First Rank wore purple caps with purple designs, and blue robes.

*The Second Rank was the lowest rank of ''ueekata'', and consisted of the Sanshikwan-za (Upper Second rank) and the Shikwan (Lower Second rank). Members of the second rank wore purple caps, with the Upper Second rank being distinguished by their gold & silver hairpins.

*The Second Rank was the lowest rank of ''ueekata'', and consisted of the Sanshikwan-za (Upper Second rank) and the Shikwan (Lower Second rank). Members of the second rank wore purple caps, with the Upper Second rank being distinguished by their gold & silver hairpins.

*The Third Rank was the top rank of ''peechin''. The Upper Third was called ''moshikuchi'', and the Lower Third ''moshikuchi-za''.

*The Third Rank was the top rank of ''peechin''. The Upper Third was called ''moshikuchi'', and the Lower Third ''moshikuchi-za''.

*The Fourth Rank also held the title of ''peechin'', and consisted of the ''jinmiyaku'' (Upper) and ''zashichi'' (Lower).

*The Fourth Rank also held the title of ''peechin'', and consisted of the ''jinmiyaku'' (Upper) and ''zashichi'' (Lower).

*The Fifth Rank also held the title of ''peechin'', and was divided into the ''atai'' (Upper) and ''atai-za'' (Lower).

*The Fifth Rank also held the title of ''peechin'', and was divided into the ''[[atai]]'' (Upper) and ''atai-za'' (Lower).

*The Sixth Rank also held the title of ''peechin'', and was divided into the ''shidu'' (Upper) and ''shidu-za'' (Lower).

*The Sixth Rank also held the title of ''peechin'', and was divided into the ''shidu'' (Upper) and ''shidu-za'' (Lower).

*The Seventh Rank was the lowest rank of ''peechin''. The Upper Seventh rank, or ''satunushi-peechin'', was, as the name implies, the lowest rank for a member of the ''satunushi'' class to still hold the title of ''peechin''. The Lower Seventh, or ''chikudun-peechin'', meanwhile, was the highest rank that could be achieved by a member of the ''chikudun'' class, and the one rank for those ''chikudun'' bearing the title ''peechin''. The Seventh Rank was the lowest rank to wear yellow caps.

*The Seventh Rank was the lowest rank of ''peechin''. The Upper Seventh rank, or ''satunushi-peechin'', was, as the name implies, the lowest rank for a member of the ''satunushi'' class to still hold the title of ''peechin''. The Lower Seventh, or ''chikudun-peechin'', meanwhile, was the highest rank that could be achieved by a member of the ''chikudun'' class, and the one rank for those ''chikudun'' bearing the title ''peechin''. The Seventh Rank was the lowest rank to wear yellow caps.

*The Eighth Rank was the lowest rank for members of the ''satunushi'' class, consisting of those who did not possess the title of ''peechin'' and were simply called ''satunushi'' (Upper Eighth), or ''waka-satunushi'' (Lower Eighth). Members of the Eighth and Ninth Rank wore red caps.

*The Eighth Rank was the lowest rank for members of the ''satunushi'' class, consisting of those who did not possess the title of ''peechin'' and were simply called ''satunushi'' (Upper Eighth), or ''waka-satunushi'' (Lower Eighth). Members of the Eighth and Ninth Rank wore red caps.

*The Ninth Rank was the lowest rank in the aristocratic hierarchy, consisting of members of the ''chikudun'' class who did not hold the title of ''peechin''. They were divided into ''chikudun'' (Upper Ninth) and ''chikudun-za'' (Lower Ninth).

*The Ninth Rank was the lowest rank in the aristocratic hierarchy, consisting of members of the ''chikudun'' class who did not hold the title of ''peechin''. They were divided into ''chikudun'' (Upper Ninth) and ''chikudun-za'' (Lower Ninth).

 

==References==

==References==

*''Encyclopedia of World Dress and Fashion, Volume 6: East Asia''. Oxford University Press, 2010. p423.

*''Encyclopedia of World Dress and Fashion, Volume 6: East Asia''. Oxford University Press, 2010. p423.

*Matsuda, Mitsugu. ''The Government of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, 1609-1872''. Naha: Yui Publishing, 2001. pp203-205ff.

*Matsuda, Mitsugu. ''The Government of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, 1609-1872''. Naha: Yui Publishing, 2001. pp203-205ff.

[[Category:Ryukyu]]

[[Category:Ryukyu]]

[[Category:Ranks and Titles]]

[[Category:Ranks and Titles]]