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It is not clear exactly when firearms were introduced to Ryûkyû, but it is known that Ryûkyû enjoyed extensive trade with China, including trade in weapons, up until the 1450s, when a ban was placed on Fujian merchants selling weapons overseas, as these were needed to defend the coasts against ''[[wako|wakô]]'' raids. It is believed that gunpowder and firearms were first introduced to Ryûkyû from China, through this trade, though the Chinese Court had officially forbidden selling sulphur, or saltpeter (ingredients for making gunpowder) or gunpowder itself, overseas.<ref name=uezato77>Uezato. p77.</ref>　The fact that Ryûkyû obtained weapons and gunpowder despite both of these bans is evidence that the China-Ryûkyû trade consisted not solely of the official [[tribute]] trade, but extended to smuggling as well. Ryûkyû had no need to trade for sulphur, though, at least, since the kingdom had a supply from [[Iotorishima|Iôtorishima]], a small island near [[Tokunoshima]]; in fact, sulphur was something Ryûkyû frequently sent overseas in exchange for other goods, and there was even a so-called ''Iô gusuku'' ("sulphur warehouse") in [[Naha]] harbor expressly for the purpose of storing the material imported from Iôtorishima.<ref>Uezato. p78.</ref>

It is not clear exactly when firearms were introduced to Ryûkyû, but it is known that Ryûkyû enjoyed extensive trade with China, including trade in weapons, up until the 1450s, when a ban was placed on Fujian merchants selling weapons overseas, as these were needed to defend the coasts against ''[[wako|wakô]]'' raids. It is believed that gunpowder and firearms were first introduced to Ryûkyû from China, through this trade, though the Chinese Court had officially forbidden selling sulphur, or saltpeter (ingredients for making gunpowder) or gunpowder itself, overseas.<ref name=uezato77>Uezato. p77.</ref>　The fact that Ryûkyû obtained weapons and gunpowder despite both of these bans is evidence that the China-Ryûkyû trade consisted not solely of the official [[tribute]] trade, but extended to smuggling as well. Ryûkyû had no need to trade for sulphur, though, at least, since the kingdom had a supply from [[Iotorishima|Iôtorishima]], a small island near [[Tokunoshima]]; in fact, sulphur was something Ryûkyû frequently sent overseas in exchange for other goods, and there was even a so-called ''Iô gusuku'' ("sulphur warehouse") in [[Naha]] harbor expressly for the purpose of storing the material imported from Iôtorishima.<ref>Uezato. p78.</ref>

One of the earliest references to firearms in Ryûkyû is from the [[Annals of the Joseon Dynasty]]<!--李朝実録-->, dated to [[1453]]. According to that record, in [[1450]], a number of Koreans were shipwrecked on the island of [[Gajajima]], in the [[Tokara islands]], which were claimed by both Ryûkyû and [[Satsuma province|Satsuma]]. They were brought to [[Okinawa Island]], and were granted an audience with King [[Sho Kinpuku|Shô Kinpuku]], at which time a sort of "fire pipe" (火筒) was demonstrated for them, and they were instructed in its use. It is believed that this "fire pipe" was little different from the so-called "hand cannons" or "bird guns" which we see discussed more broadly, in Korea, China, and Japan as well, down into the 16th-17th centuries;<ref name=Uezato76>Uezato. p76.</ref> Another record, written by members of a party of Koreans shipwrecked in Ryûkyû in [[1462]], indicates that the "fire pipes" they saw in Ryûkyû were of the same type, size, and form as those they were familiar with in Korea.<ref name=uezato77/>

One of the earliest references to firearms in Ryûkyû is from the [[Annals of the Joseon Dynasty]]<!--李朝実録-->, dated to [[1453]]. According to that record, in [[1450]], a number of Koreans were shipwrecked on the island of [[Gajashima]], in the [[Tokara islands]], which were claimed by both Ryûkyû and [[Satsuma province|Satsuma]]. They were brought to [[Okinawa Island]], and were granted an audience with King [[Sho Kinpuku|Shô Kinpuku]], at which time a sort of "fire pipe" (火筒) was demonstrated for them, and they were instructed in its use. It is believed that this "fire pipe" was little different from the so-called "hand cannons" or "bird guns" which we see discussed more broadly, in Korea, China, and Japan as well, down into the 16th-17th centuries;<ref name=Uezato76>Uezato. p76.</ref> Another record, written by members of a party of Koreans shipwrecked in Ryûkyû in [[1462]], indicates that the "fire pipes" they saw in Ryûkyû were of the same type, size, and form as those they were familiar with in Korea.<ref name=uezato77/>

Historian [[Uezato Takashi]] points out that these episodes strongly imply that Ryûkyû already by this time had its own firearms experts, and was not merely relying upon imports from China, and Chinese experts.<ref name="Uezato76"/>

Historian [[Uezato Takashi]] points out that these episodes strongly imply that Ryûkyû already by this time had its own firearms experts, and was not merely relying upon imports from China, and Chinese experts.<ref name="Uezato76"/>