Changes

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]]. 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.

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.

*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).

 

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