Changes

At the beginning of the 17th century, around the time of the invasion of Ryûkyû by the Japanese feudal domain of [[Satsuma han|Satsuma]], Kumemura and its community of Chinese scholars had deteriorated drastically; the royal government, along with that of Satsuma, then took action to revive it, and with it the aristocratic and intellectual culture of Ryûkyû as a whole. The best and brightest of Ryûkyû were invited to settle in Kumemura, pursue Chinese studies, and establish noble houses.

At the beginning of the 17th century, around the time of the invasion of Ryûkyû by the Japanese feudal domain of [[Satsuma han|Satsuma]], Kumemura and its community of Chinese scholars had deteriorated drastically; the royal government, along with that of Satsuma, then took action to revive it, and with it the aristocratic and intellectual culture of Ryûkyû as a whole. The best and brightest of Ryûkyû were invited to settle in Kumemura, pursue Chinese studies, and establish noble houses.

Thus, the ''yukatchu'' class was formally created around [[1650]], and divided into a number of ranks and titles including ''[[ueekata]]'' (親方), ''[[peekumi]]'' (親雲上), ''satonushi'' and others, each rank being accompanied by a rice stipend. These stipends were quite small as compared to those of Japanese samurai, but were likely quite appreciated, particularly after [[1712]], when the number of ''yukatchu'' increased dramatically, along with competition for positions in the bureaucracy; at this time, stipends were no longer guaranteed to those without government posts.

Thus, the ''yukatchu'' class was formally created around [[1650]], and divided into a number of ranks and titles including ''[[ueekata]]'' (親方), ''[[peekumi]]'' (親雲上), ''[[satunushi]]'' (里之子) and others, each rank being accompanied by a rice stipend. These stipends were quite small as compared to those of Japanese samurai, but were likely quite appreciated, particularly after [[1712]], when the number of ''yukatchu'' increased dramatically, along with competition for positions in the bureaucracy; at this time, stipends were no longer guaranteed to those without government posts.

A ''yukatchu's'' primary purpose was to study traditional Chinese subjects; in addition to purely theoretic or academic studies, ''yukatchu'' of Kumemura were specifically cultivated for service in the royal bureaucracy, and in diplomatic relations with China. Though tribute missions to China were formally made once every two years, journeys between Ryûkyû and [[Fujian]] were in fact much more frequent. An embassy was established in Fujian where ''yukatchu'' lived and studied; a small number would come and go every few years, so the individual residents at this trading post were constantly changing. In addition, a number of ''yukatchu'' would travel to [[Beijing]] for the formal tribute mission once every two years, and four Ryukyuan students were allowed to remain in Beijing's National Academy at any one time. In addition, many of the scholars sent to Fujian from Ryûkyû were assigned to study a single, specific subject intensively, so as to become an expert, educating those at home in Ryûkyû, and applying their new knowledge to administrative matters. Thus, the degree to which this entire class of people was supported by the government is far from insignificant, and serves as an important sign of the government's priorities and philosophy. In keeping good diplomatic and economic relations with China, the ''yukatchu'' acted not only to their own benefit and that of the Ryûkyû royal government, but to the advantage of Satsuma and the Japanese central government, the [[Tokuguawa shogunate]]. Dominated by Satsuma, Ryûkyû served as an intermediary for Sino-Japanese commerce, though every effort was taken to ensure that Ryûkyû's connections to Japan be kept secret from China. Thus, the ''yukatchu'' and the general focus on Chinese studies throughout the small kingdom was crucial not only for the direct political and economic reasons, but to attaining those ends through maintaining culturally Chinese appearances.

A ''yukatchu's'' primary purpose was to study traditional Chinese subjects; in addition to purely theoretic or academic studies, ''yukatchu'' of Kumemura were specifically cultivated for service in the royal bureaucracy, and in diplomatic relations with China. Though tribute missions to China were formally made once every two years, journeys between Ryûkyû and [[Fujian]] were in fact much more frequent. An embassy was established in Fujian where ''yukatchu'' lived and studied; a small number would come and go every few years, so the individual residents at this trading post were constantly changing. In addition, a number of ''yukatchu'' would travel to [[Beijing]] for the formal tribute mission once every two years, and four Ryukyuan students were allowed to remain in Beijing's National Academy at any one time. In addition, many of the scholars sent to Fujian from Ryûkyû were assigned to study a single, specific subject intensively, so as to become an expert, educating those at home in Ryûkyû, and applying their new knowledge to administrative matters. Thus, the degree to which this entire class of people was supported by the government is far from insignificant, and serves as an important sign of the government's priorities and philosophy. In keeping good diplomatic and economic relations with China, the ''yukatchu'' acted not only to their own benefit and that of the Ryûkyû royal government, but to the advantage of Satsuma and the Japanese central government, the [[Tokuguawa shogunate]]. Dominated by Satsuma, Ryûkyû served as an intermediary for Sino-Japanese commerce, though every effort was taken to ensure that Ryûkyû's connections to Japan be kept secret from China. Thus, the ''yukatchu'' and the general focus on Chinese studies throughout the small kingdom was crucial not only for the direct political and economic reasons, but to attaining those ends through maintaining culturally Chinese appearances.