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==Geography==

==Geography==

The Yaeyamas, located to the south of the Miyako Islands and north and east of [[Taiwan]], consist primarily of two main islands, [[Ishigaki]] and [[Iriomote]], surrounded by a number of smaller islands including [[Taketomi Island]], [[Kohama Island]], [[Kuroshima]], [[Hatoma Island]], and [[Hateruma Island]], plus [[Yonaguni Island]] at the far southwestern end of the Ryûkyû Island chain.

The Yaeyamas, located to the south of the Miyako Islands and north and east of [[Taiwan]], consist primarily of two main islands, [[Ishigaki]] and [[Iriomote]], surrounded by a number of smaller islands including [[Taketomi Island]], [[Kohama Island]], [[Kuroshima]], [[Hatoma Island]], and [[Hateruma Island]], plus [[Yonaguni Island]] at the far southwestern end of the Ryûkyû Island chain.

==History==

==History==

Little is known of the early history of the Yaeyama Islands. Though we can presume there were local rulers or chieftains of some sort in earlier periods, even official histories produced by the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]] and local legends in Yaeyama make no mention of specific notable, named, individuals prior to the 15th century. Trading ships from [[Okinawa Island]] are believed to have been regularly visiting the Miyakos and Yaeyamas at least as early as the late 15th century, however, with some sources indicating that the two island groups paid official [[tribute]] to the kingdom of [[Chuzan|Chûzan]] based on Okinawa as early as [[1390]].

Little is known of the early history of the Yaeyama Islands. Though we can presume there were local rulers or chieftains of some sort in earlier periods, even official histories produced by the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]] and local legends in Yaeyama make no mention of specific notable, named, individuals prior to the 15th century. Trading ships from [[Okinawa Island]] are believed to have been regularly visiting the Miyakos and Yaeyamas at least as early as the late 15th century, however, with some sources indicating that the two island groups paid official [[tribute]] to the kingdom of [[Chuzan|Chûzan]] based on Okinawa as early as [[1390]].

The earliest leader indicated by name in local legends or official Ryûkyû Kingdom histories is [[Yonahasedo Tuyumya]], an individual from [[Miyako Island]] who in the late 14th or early 15th century became nominal head of the Yaeyamas; however, there is little historical evidence for his existence and some consider him a purely legendary figure.<ref>Gregory Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', University of Hawaii Press (2019), 57.</ref>

The earliest leader indicated by name in local legends or official Ryûkyû Kingdom histories is [[Yonahasedo Tuyumya]], an individual from [[Miyako Island]] who in the late 14th or early 15th century became nominal head of the Yaeyamas; however, there is little historical evidence for his existence and some consider him a purely legendary figure.<ref>Gregory Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', University of Hawaii Press (2019), 57.</ref> The names [[Naata Ufushu]], [[Hirakubo Kana]]<!--平久保-->, and [[Nakama Mitsukeima Eigyoku]]<!--仲間満慶山英極--> also appear in some sources as "[[Era of Rival Chiefs|rival chiefs]]" who vied for power in the Yaeyamas in the 15th century, before finally being defeated by [[Oyake Akahachi]]. Though most of these figures are represented in local legends as local heroes, as though they were born into indigenous communities distinctive and characteristic of each separate island, some scholars suggest that many of these prominent rivals were likely ''[[wako|wakô]]'' leaders, or descendants of ''wakô'' leaders, who made their way into the Ryûkyûs following the fall of the [[Southern Court]] in Japan in the 1390s; without support from the Southern Court and [[Seiseifu]] in Kyushu, and with the [[Joseon dynasty]] in Korea, [[Ming dynasty]] in China, and the [[Northern Court]] and [[Muromachi shogunate]] in Japan stepping up their efforts to suppress ''wakô'' activity, many made their way further south. While there is evidence of ''wakô'' activity in Okinawa and the Miyako Islands earlier, the earliest evidence of ''wakô'' activity in the Yaeyamas is from the 1430s.<ref>Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', 58.</ref>

Official histories produced by the royal court at Shuri indicate that in the year [[1500]], a figure named [[Oyake Akahachi]] led the people of [[Ishigaki Island]] in rebellion against Shuri, refusing to pay taxes or tribute as they had done previously. In these accounts, which [[Gregory Smits]] has indicated "take on the qualities of a Chinese-style morality play,"<ref>Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', 54.</ref> Oyake is presented as a villainous figure, taking advantage of chaos and disunity in the neighboring Miyako Islands as an opportunity to invade those islands. The virtuous [[Nakasone Tuyumya]] of Miyako then pushes Akahachi's forces back, not only defeating the invasion but going on to invade and conquer the Yaeyamas himself, even pushing as far as [[Yonaguni]], the westernmost of the Ryûkyû Islands; meanwhile, King [[Sho Shin|Shô Shin]] dispatches forces from Shuri to put an end to this violence. Nakasone then surrenders himself and all of the Miyakos and Yaeyamas to the forces from Shuri, willingly joining the Ryûkyû Kingdom and embracing peace, morality, and [[Confucianism|Confucian]] civilization.

Akahachi is perhaps the earliest Yaeyama figure whose existence can be verified. According to official histories produced by the royal court at Shuri, in [[1500]] he led the people of [[Ishigaki Island]] in rebellion against Shuri, refusing to pay taxes or tribute as they had done previously. In these accounts, which [[Gregory Smits]] has indicated "take on the qualities of a Chinese-style morality play,"<ref>Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', 54.</ref> Oyake is presented as a villainous figure, taking advantage of chaos and disunity in the neighboring Miyako Islands as an opportunity to invade those islands. The virtuous [[Nakasone Tuyumya]] of Miyako then pushes Akahachi's forces back, not only defeating the invasion but going on to invade and conquer the Yaeyamas himself, even pushing as far as [[Yonaguni]], the westernmost of the Ryûkyû Islands; meanwhile, King [[Sho Shin|Shô Shin]] dispatches forces from Shuri to put an end to this violence. Nakasone then surrenders himself and all of the Miyakos and Yaeyamas to the forces from Shuri, willingly joining the Ryûkyû Kingdom and embracing peace, morality, and [[Confucianism|Confucian]] civilization. Despite the historical details being somewhat obscured by legend and by moralizing historiography, Smits writes that the overall pattern of conflict at this time suggests that Miyako and/or Yaeyama were growing in power around the 1490s-1500s and that King [[Sho Shin|Shô Shin]] of Shuri took action to consolidate his power over that region; this served to calm the chaotic situation of numerous local power-holders independently engaging in trade, piracy, etc., thus regaining the trust of the Ming court, as well as strengthening his own rule domestically.<ref>Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', 171.</ref>

Following Shuri's defeat of the islanders, the islands were then incorporated (albeit loosely) into the kingdom, and officials were dispatched from Shuri to oversee and administer the islands.<ref>Kerr, 115.</ref> Shuri appointed officials known as ''[[Shuri oyako|Ufu Sui uyaku]]'' and ''[[zaiban (Ryukyu)|zaiban]]'' to oversee matters in the outer islands, on behalf of the royal government.<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41458-storytopic-121.html Zaiban]," Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia 沖縄コンパクト事典, Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003.</ref> These ''zaiban'' operated under the authority of a ''kuramutu'' (J: ''[[kuramoto]]'') based on [[Ishigaki Island]].<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41219-storytopic-121.html Kuramoto]." ''Okinawa konpakuto jiten'' (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). Ryukyu Shimpô. 1 March 2003. Accessed 16 January 2010.</ref> Beginning as early as [[1503]], Shuri also appointed ''Ôamu tsukasa'', priestess officials under the [[Oamushirare|Makabe Ôamushirare]] (''Makan Ufuanshitari'') high priestess based in Shuri, to serve as the chief religious officials in the Miyakos.<ref>Plaque at former site of Makan dunchi. [https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/15442912996/in/photostream/]</ref>

Following Shuri's defeat of the islanders, the islands were then incorporated (albeit loosely) into the kingdom, and officials were dispatched from Shuri to oversee and administer the islands.<ref>Kerr, 115.</ref> Shuri appointed officials known as ''[[Shuri oyako|Ufu Sui uyaku]]'' and ''[[zaiban (Ryukyu)|zaiban]]'' to oversee matters in the outer islands, on behalf of the royal government.<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41458-storytopic-121.html Zaiban]," Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia 沖縄コンパクト事典, Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003.</ref> These ''zaiban'' operated under the authority of a ''kuramutu'' (J: ''[[kuramoto]]'') based on [[Ishigaki Island]].<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41219-storytopic-121.html Kuramoto]." ''Okinawa konpakuto jiten'' (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). Ryukyu Shimpô. 1 March 2003. Accessed 16 January 2010.</ref> Beginning as early as [[1503]], Shuri also appointed ''Ôamu tsukasa'', priestess officials under the [[Oamushirare|Makabe Ôamushirare]] (''Makan Ufuanshitari'') high priestess based in Shuri, to serve as the chief religious officials in the Miyakos.<ref>Plaque at former site of Makan dunchi. [https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/15442912996/in/photostream/]</ref> These priestesses were local women from the Miyakos who traveled to Shuri to receive their official appointments.<ref>Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', 179.</ref>

The people of the Yaeyamas sent a variety of goods to Shuri as regular tribute payments, including textiles, [[Ryukyuan horses|horses]], and after [[1758]], [[sea cucumbers]] and other marine products.

The people of the Yaeyamas sent a variety of goods to Shuri as regular tribute payments, including textiles, [[Ryukyuan horses|horses]], and after [[1758]], [[sea cucumbers]] and other marine products.

One of the most oft-discussed and perhaps most oppressive aspects of life under the kingdom for residents of the Yaeyamas was a [[poll tax]] (or "head tax") implemented in [[1637]] and continued by the Empire of Japan through the abolition of the kingdom, into the early years of the 20th century. Each individual (i.e. each "head") in the islands owed a certain amount to Shuri (and, later, to the prefectural government in [[Naha]]). This was not only a heavy tax burden simply in terms of the amount to be paid, but also because islanders were often obliged to pay in X, thus requiring them to convert their grain, textiles, or other products into X. This heavy tax burden frequently led to uprisings, riots, and protests. The poll tax system was eventually abolished in [[1903]].

One of the most oft-discussed and perhaps most oppressive aspects of life under the kingdom for residents of the Yaeyamas was a [[poll tax]] (or "head tax") implemented in [[1637]] and continued by the Empire of Japan through the abolition of the kingdom, into the early years of the 20th century. Each individual (i.e. each "head") in the islands owed a certain amount to Shuri (and, later, to the prefectural government in [[Naha]]). This was not only a heavy tax burden simply in terms of the amount to be paid, but also because islanders were often obliged to pay in X, thus requiring them to convert their grain, textiles, or other products into X. This heavy tax burden frequently led to uprisings, riots, and protests. The poll tax system was eventually abolished in [[1903]].

Despite all of this, however - the heavy tax burden, and the various officials dispatched to the islands - overall the kingdom's control over local affairs in the Miyakos and Yaeyamas was fairly loose. Local authorities, authorized by Shuri and referred to as ''kashira'' in Shuri records, were given considerable autonomy to manage local affairs.<ref>Smits, "Examining the Myth of Ryukyuan Pacifism"; Smits, "Rethinking Ryukyu," International Journal of Okinawan Studies 6:1 (2015), 7.</ref>

Despite all of this, however - the heavy tax burden, and the various officials dispatched to the islands - overall the kingdom's control over local affairs in the Miyakos and Yaeyamas was fairly loose. Local authorities, authorized by Shuri and referred to as ''[[kashira (Ryukyu)|kashira]]'' in Shuri records, were given considerable autonomy to manage local affairs.<ref>Smits, "Examining the Myth of Ryukyuan Pacifism"; Smits, "Rethinking Ryukyu," International Journal of Okinawan Studies 6:1 (2015), 7.</ref>

Much as imperial and shogunal authorities in Japan frequently exiled criminals or political enemies to distant islands, Yaeyama became a common destination for the kingdom to send exiles; one man accused of killing US Marine [[Board Incident|William Board]] in [[1854]] was exiled to Yaeyama while several of his supposed compatriots were exiled to the Miyakos.<ref>Kerr, 331-332.; "[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-42935-storytopic-121.html Board Jiken]." ''Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia'' 沖縄コンパクト事典. Ryukyu Shimpo. 1 March 2003.</ref>

Much as imperial and shogunal authorities in Japan frequently exiled criminals or political enemies to distant islands, Yaeyama became a common destination for the kingdom to send exiles; one man accused of killing US Marine [[Board Incident|William Board]] in [[1854]] was exiled to Yaeyama while several of his supposed compatriots were exiled to the Miyakos.<ref>Kerr, 331-332.; "[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-42935-storytopic-121.html Board Jiken]." ''Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia'' 沖縄コンパクト事典. Ryukyu Shimpo. 1 March 2003.</ref>

Though negotiations between Beijing and Tokyo in [[1879]] over territorial claims nearly resulted in the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]] gaining control over the Miyakos and Yaeyamas, Beijing ultimately never signed the agreement; Tokyo unilaterally declared the kingdom abolished and all of the Ryûkyû Islands, down to Yonaguni, to be Japanese territory, ending the dispute.

Though negotiations between Beijing and Tokyo in [[1879]] over territorial claims nearly resulted in the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]] gaining control over the Miyakos and Yaeyamas, Beijing ultimately never signed the agreement; Tokyo unilaterally declared the kingdom abolished and all of the Ryûkyû Islands, down to Yonaguni, to be Japanese territory, ending the dispute.

==Culture==

==Culture==

Though ''[[Asadoya yunta]]'', one of the most popular Okinawan folk songs today, is widely-known by a series of Japanese-language lyrics, the song initially originates in Yaeyama, with lyrics in a local Yaeyama language.<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-40070-storytopic-121.html Asadoya yunta]." ''Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia'' 沖縄コンパクト事典. Ryukyu Shimpo. 1 March 2003.</ref>

Though ''[[Asadoya yunta]]'', one of the most popular Okinawan folk songs today, is widely-known by a series of Japanese-language lyrics, the song initially originates in Yaeyama, with lyrics in a local Yaeyama language.<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-40070-storytopic-121.html Asadoya yunta]." ''Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia'' 沖縄コンパクト事典. Ryukyu Shimpo. 1 March 2003.</ref>

The Yaeyamas are home to numerous sacred sites (known as ''on'' in Yaeyama, and as ''[[utaki]]'' on Okinawa) of the indigenous [[Ryukyuan religion]]. The [[bodhisattva]] [[Miroku]], adapted into local forms, is also widely worshipped in the region.<ref>Gallery label "Ishigaki-shi Tonoshiro no Miruku-jin" 石垣市登野城のミルク神, Okinawa Prefectural Museum.</ref>

The Yaeyamas are home to numerous sacred sites (known as ''on'' in Yaeyama, and as ''[[utaki]]'' on Okinawa) of the indigenous [[Ryukyuan religion]]. The [[bodhisattva]] [[Miroku]], adapted into local forms, is also widely worshipped in the region and appears in numerous local [[Sakishima seasonal folk festivals|folk festivals]].<ref>Gallery label "Ishigaki-shi Tonoshiro no Miruku-jin" 石垣市登野城のミルク神, Okinawa Prefectural Museum.</ref>

The [[Yaeyama Gongendo|Yaeyama Gongendô]] on Ishigaki Island, built in the 1740s, is considered the only surviving example of traditional Ryukyuan shrine architecture belonging to the complex of indigenous Ryukyuan religions.<ref>Suzuki Kakichi, Miyamoto Chôjirô and Ushikawa Yoshiyuki. "Ryûkyûan Architecture: Its History and Features." in ''Okinawa bijutsu zenshû'' 沖縄美術全集. vol. 5. Okinawa Times, 1989.</ref>

The [[Yaeyama Gongendo|Yaeyama Gongendô]] on Ishigaki Island, built in the 1740s, is considered the only surviving example of traditional Ryukyuan shrine architecture belonging to the complex of indigenous Ryukyuan religions.<ref>Suzuki Kakichi, Miyamoto Chôjirô and Ushikawa Yoshiyuki. "Ryûkyûan Architecture: Its History and Features." in ''Okinawa bijutsu zenshû'' 沖縄美術全集. vol. 5. Okinawa Times, 1989.</ref>

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:Ryukyu]]

[[Category:Ryukyu]]

[[Category:Geographical Locations]]

[[Category:Geographic Locations]]