Changes

*''Japanese'': 琉球係 ''(Ryuukyuu gakari)''

*''Japanese'': 琉球係 ''(Ryuukyuu gakari)''

''Ryûkyû-gakari'' were a pair of officials who oversaw the residents and operations of the [[Ryukyu-kan|Ryûkyû-kan]], an institution in [[Kagoshima]] which might be described as resembling in its functions, in some respects, an "embassy" or "consulate" of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]]. The pair was comprised of the ''zaiban oyakata'' (在番親方), the chief Ryukyuan official (and representative of the King of Ryûkyû) resident at the Ryûkyû-kan, and the ''Ryûkyû-kikiyaku'' (琉球聞役, lit. "Ryûkyû listener"), a samurai official charged with overseeing the Ryûkyû-kan on behalf of the daimyô.

''Ryûkyû-gakari'' were a pair of officials who oversaw the residents and operations of the [[Ryukyu-kan|Ryûkyû-kan]], an institution in [[Kagoshima]] which might be described as resembling in its functions, in some respects, an "embassy" or "consulate" of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]]. The pair was comprised of the ''zaiban ueekata'' (在番親方), the chief Ryukyuan official (and representative of the King of Ryûkyû) resident at the Ryûkyû-kan, and the ''Ryûkyû-kikiyaku'' (琉球聞役, lit. "Ryûkyû listener"), a samurai official charged with overseeing the Ryûkyû-kan on behalf of the daimyô.

The ''Ryûkyû-gakari'' communicated edicts and other messages from Satsuma to [[zaiban bugyo|Satsuma magistrates]] resident in Ryûkyû via the ''[[sanshikan]]'' (the Council of Three; the top advisors to the King of Ryûkyû).

The ''Ryûkyû-gakari'' communicated edicts and other messages from Satsuma to [[zaiban bugyo|Satsuma magistrates]] resident in Ryûkyû via the ''[[sanshikan]]'' (the Council of Three; the top advisors to the King of Ryûkyû). The ''zaiban ueekata'' changed every year, as the lead New Year's envoy (''[[nentoshi|nentôshi]]'') took on that position each New Year's.<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/okinawa-dic/prentry-42540.html Nentôshi]," ''Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia'', Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003.</ref>

One prominent figure to hold the position of ''Ryûkyû-kikiyaku'' was the Satsuma reformer [[Zusho Shozaemon|Zusho Shôzaemon]].<ref>Plaque on-site at former site of the Ryûkyû-kan, Nagata Middle School, Kagoshima.</ref>

One prominent figure to hold the position of ''Ryûkyû-kikiyaku'' was the Satsuma reformer [[Zusho Shozaemon|Zusho Shôzaemon]].<ref>Plaque on-site at former site of the Ryûkyû-kan, Nagata Middle School, Kagoshima.</ref>