Changes

Over time, the Sanshikan eclipsed the power and prestige of the ''[[sessei]]'', a post which is often translated as "prime minister," and which served as chief royal advisor. Candidates to join the Council of Three had to live in [[Shuri]], the capital, and had to pass tests of both merit and birth; they had to be of proper aristocratic heritage, and to pass tests of knowledge of literature, ethics, and other classical Chinese subjects. These exams were very much akin to those taken by scholar-bureaucrats in China, but were less strict.

Over time, the Sanshikan eclipsed the power and prestige of the ''[[sessei]]'', a post which is often translated as "prime minister," and which served as chief royal advisor. Candidates to join the Council of Three had to live in [[Shuri]], the capital, and had to pass tests of both merit and birth; they had to be of proper aristocratic heritage, and to pass tests of knowledge of literature, ethics, and other classical Chinese subjects. These exams were very much akin to those taken by scholar-bureaucrats in China, but were less strict.

The Council, and ''sessei'', worked alongside the heads of various administrative departments who were known as the Council of Fifteen when assembled. The Fifteen advised the higher-ranking officials on policy, and made recommendations to fill vacancies in the administration.

The Council, and ''sessei'', worked alongside the heads of various administrative departments who were known as the [[Council of Fifteen]] when assembled. The Fifteen advised the higher-ranking officials on policy, and made recommendations to fill vacancies in the administration.

The ''Sanshikan'' was dismantled along with the rest of the royal government when Ryûkyû was formally annexed by [[Meiji period|Meiji]] Japan in the 1870s. Members of Ryûkyû's aristocratic class were allowed to maintain some of their prestige and privileges, but even members of the Council were only afforded the equivalent of the sixth rank in the Japanese Imperial Court structure.

The ''Sanshikan'' was dismantled along with the rest of the royal government when Ryûkyû was formally annexed by [[Meiji period|Meiji]] Japan in the 1870s. Members of Ryûkyû's aristocratic class were allowed to maintain some of their prestige and privileges, but even members of the Council were only afforded the equivalent of the sixth rank in the Japanese Imperial Court structure.