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Kumejima was one of the chief economic centers in the archipelago, particularly in terms of the export of [[turbo shell]], in the 11th century.<ref>Gregory Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', University of Hawaii Press (2019), 22.</ref>

Kumejima was one of the chief economic centers in the archipelago, particularly in terms of the export of [[turbo shell]], in the 11th century.<ref>Gregory Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', University of Hawaii Press (2019), 22.</ref>

Mt. Ôtake at the northern edge of the island is one of the highest in the Ryukyus, at around 305 meters (1000 feet). Historically, this provided a commanding view of maritime traffic, allowing those based on Kumejima to raid, tax, or otherwise take advantage of opportunities to profit from, ships passing through the region. Combined with the natural fortifications provided by the rocky topography of the island, this made Kume an excellent location for ''[[wako|wakô]]'' (brigands/pirates/smugglers) to set up base in the 13th-16th centuries.<ref>Smits, 100.</ref> ''[[Gusuku]]'' fortresses began to be built on Kumejima around the same time as their first appearance on Okinawa Island, in the 13th-14th centuries.<ref>Smits, 18-26.</ref>

Mt. Ôtake at the northern edge of the island is one of the highest in the Ryukyus, at around 305 meters (1000 feet). Historically, this provided a commanding view of maritime traffic, allowing those based on Kumejima to raid, tax, or otherwise take advantage of opportunities to profit from, ships passing through the region. Combined with the natural fortifications provided by the rocky topography of the island, this made Kume an excellent location for ''[[wako|wakô]]'' (brigands/pirates/smugglers) to set up base in the 13th-16th centuries.<ref name=smits101>Smits, 100-101.</ref> ''[[Gusuku]]'' fortresses began to be built on Kumejima around the same time as their first appearance on Okinawa Island, in the 13th-14th centuries.<ref>Smits, 18-26.</ref>

According to traditional narratives, a figure known as [[Gushikawa anji]] was the dominant power on Kumejima at the beginning of the 16th century. By toppling him in [[1506]] and capturing [[Gushikawa gusuku (Kume)|his primary fortress]], the Ryûkyû Kingdom under King [[Sho Shin|Shô Shin]] claimed control over the island for the first time. The kingdom later dispatched a pair of ''[[zaiban (Ryukyu)|zaiban]]'' officials to oversee and administer the island on behalf of the court, in addition to a ''[[kuramoto]]''.<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41458-storytopic-121.html Zaiban]," Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia 沖縄コンパクト事典, Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003.; "[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41219-storytopic-121.html Kuramoto]." ''Okinawa konpakuto jiten'' (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). Ryukyu Shimpô. 1 March 2003. Accessed 16 January 2010.</ref>

According to legend, a ruler named Ishikinawa united the island sometime in the late 14th or early 15th century, and had four sons who each became lords of their own ''gusuku''. [[Shuri]] is believed to have made at least one notable attack on the island during the time of these sons; according to some accounts, this occurred because of the sons being betrayed in some fashion by their subordinates.<ref name=smits101/>

 

By the beginning of the 16th century, a figure known as [[Gushikawa anji]] was the dominant power on Kumejima in traditional accounts. Based at [[Gushikawa gusuku (Kume)|Gushikawa gusuku]] and controlling the port of Yamato-domari, he is believed to have had some strong connections with the [[Miyako Islands|Miyako]] and [[Yaeyama Islands]], and may have been a ''wakô'' lord. By toppling him in [[1506]] and capturing his primary fortress, the Ryûkyû Kingdom under King [[Sho Shin|Shô Shin]] claimed control over the island for the first time. Some have suggested that the island's natural sources of [[iron]] sands and corresponding thirteen or so metalworking centers were of particular appeal for Shuri.<ref name=smits101/> The kingdom later dispatched a pair of ''[[zaiban (Ryukyu)|zaiban]]'' officials to oversee and administer the island on behalf of the court, in addition to a ''[[kuramoto]]''.<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41458-storytopic-121.html Zaiban]," Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia 沖縄コンパクト事典, Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003.; "[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41219-storytopic-121.html Kuramoto]." ''Okinawa konpakuto jiten'' (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). Ryukyu Shimpô. 1 March 2003. Accessed 16 January 2010.</ref>

The island came to be known for [[Kumejima tsumugi]], a type of pongee cloth which became a common [[tribute]] item or gift presented by the kingdom to the [[Tokugawa shogunate|Tokugawa shoguns]]. ''Tsumugi'' is believed to have been produced on Kumejima beginning in [[1632]]. Kumejima was also the primary location in the kingdom for the growing of [[cotton]], which was also sent to Kagoshima and [[Edo]] as a tribute good.<ref>''Bingata! Only in Okinawa'', George Washington University Museum and the Textile Museum (2016), 74.; Miyagi Eishô 宮城栄昌, ''Ryûkyû shisha no Edo nobori'' 琉球使者の江戸上り, Tokyo: Daiichi Shobô (1982), 108-110.</ref>

The island came to be known for [[Kumejima tsumugi]], a type of pongee cloth which became a common [[tribute]] item or gift presented by the kingdom to the [[Tokugawa shogunate|Tokugawa shoguns]]. ''Tsumugi'' is believed to have been produced on Kumejima beginning in [[1632]]. Kumejima was also the primary location in the kingdom for the growing of [[cotton]], which was also sent to Kagoshima and [[Edo]] as a tribute good.<ref>''Bingata! Only in Okinawa'', George Washington University Museum and the Textile Museum (2016), 74.; Miyagi Eishô 宮城栄昌, ''Ryûkyû shisha no Edo nobori'' 琉球使者の江戸上り, Tokyo: Daiichi Shobô (1982), 108-110.</ref>