Huai Ji

Huai Ji was a Chinese man who served in the royal government of the Kingdom of Ryûkyû, appointed by the first kings of the first Shô dynasty to a position akin to Prime Minister.

Little is known about Huai Ji, though some sources indicate he may have been sent to Ryûkyû as part of schemes by the Yongle Emperor to expand the image of Chinese cultural superiority overseas. He arrived in Ryûkyû at some point in the first quarter of the 15th century, and served the government until around 1450.

He is described by scholar Taira Koji as having played an important role in the consolidation of power in the hands of Shô Hashi and Hashi's father Shô Shishô, and organized a wide variety of the kingdom's activities, including public works, the construction of temples and shrines, tribute relations with China, trade with other countries, and sending students to China. He also is said to have played an important role in formalizing the administration of the government, and designing and overseeing the construction of Shuri Castle and the chôkôtei connecting Naha (then an island) to the 'mainland' of Okinawa proper.

References

• Taira, Koji. "Troubled national identity: The Ryukyuans/Okinawans." in Weiner, Michael (ed.). Japan's Minorities: The Illusion of Homogeneity. London: Routledge, 1997. p150.