Changes

Prior to the unification of [[Okinawa Island]] and the establishment of the Kingdom, China received tribute from three separate Okinawan polities. [[Chuzan|Chûzan]], the kingdom which controlled the central areas of the island, conquered the other two kingdoms in [[1419]]-[[1429]]. In the intervening time, Chûzan sent 52 missions to China beginning in [[1372]], [[Nanzan]] sent nineteen, beginning in [[1380]], and [[Hokuzan]] sent nine beginning in [[1383]], all of them vying as well for official recognition from the Ming Court as the only rightful king of Okinawa.

Prior to the unification of [[Okinawa Island]] and the establishment of the Kingdom, China received tribute from three separate Okinawan polities. [[Chuzan|Chûzan]], the kingdom which controlled the central areas of the island, conquered the other two kingdoms in [[1419]]-[[1429]]. In the intervening time, Chûzan sent 52 missions to China beginning in [[1372]], [[Nanzan]] sent nineteen, beginning in [[1380]], and [[Hokuzan]] sent nine beginning in [[1383]], all of them vying as well for official recognition from the Ming Court as the only rightful king of Okinawa.

Following unification, Ryûkyû generally sent tribute once every two years, though the pattern changed at times along with shifts in Chinese politics. Tribute was sent in a variety of forms, including Southeast Asian trade goods, aromatic woods, sulfur and saltpeter, [[Ryukyuan horses|horses]], and sugar. Ryukyuan ships sent to China, like [[Chinese investiture envoys]]' ships to Ryûkyû, were known as ''okansen'' ([[Okinawan language|O]]: ''ukwanshin'')<!--冠船-->; trading ships accompanying the embassies vessels were known as ''sekkôsen''<!--接貢船-->.

Following unification, Ryûkyû generally sent tribute once every two years, though the pattern changed at times along with shifts in Chinese politics. Tribute was sent in a variety of forms, including Southeast Asian trade goods, aromatic woods, sulfur and saltpeter, [[Ryukyuan horses|horses]], and sugar. Ryukyuan ships sent to China, like [[Chinese investiture envoys]]' ships to Ryûkyû, were known as ''okansen'' ([[Okinawan language|O]]: ''ukwanshin'')<!--冠船-->; trading ships accompanying the embassies vessels were known as ''sekkôsen''<!--接貢船-->. While hosting Chinese envoys was quite expensive for the kingdom, the interaction was beneficial for the kingdom, which generally received more in gifts from China than it gave in tribute.<ref>Gregory Smits, "Ryukyu and its Geo-cultural Context," presentation at Parades & Processions Joint Event, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 10 Feb 2013.</ref>

Meanwhile, tribute from Ryûkyû was often demanded by the [[Shimazu clan]] of [[Satsuma province]], who laid claims to the islands since the 12th century; however, no tribute was paid, nor any actual direct Japanese dominion exerted, until after the [[1609]] [[invasion of Ryukyu|invasion of Ryûkyû]] by that same samurai clan.

Meanwhile, tribute from Ryûkyû was often demanded by the [[Shimazu clan]] of [[Satsuma province]], who laid claims to the islands since the 12th century; however, no tribute was paid, nor any actual direct Japanese dominion exerted, until after the [[1609]] [[invasion of Ryukyu|invasion of Ryûkyû]] by that same samurai clan.