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==History==
==History==
[[File:Huolongjing-firearms.jpg|right|thumb|400px|An illustration of a traditional Chinese-style gunpowder weapon, in the late 14th century ([[Ming dynasty]]) work ''Huolongjing''.]]
===15th century===
===15th century===
It is not clear exactly when firearms were introduced to Ryûkyû, but it is known that Ryûkyû enjoyed extensive trade with China, including trade in weapons, up until the 1450s, when a ban was placed on Fujian merchants selling weapons overseas, as these were needed to defend the coasts against ''[[wako|wakô]]'' raids. It is believed that gunpowder and firearms were first introduced to Ryûkyû from China, through this trade, though the Chinese Court had officially forbidden selling sulphur, or saltpeter (ingredients for making gunpowder) or gunpowder itself, overseas.<ref name=uezato77>Uezato. p77.</ref> The fact that Ryûkyû obtained weapons and gunpowder despite both of these bans is evidence that the China-Ryûkyû trade consisted not solely of the official [[tribute]] trade, but extended to smuggling as well. Ryûkyû had no need to trade for sulphur, though, at least, since the kingdom had a supply from [[Iotorishima|Iôtorishima]], a small island near [[Tokunoshima]]; in fact, sulphur was something Ryûkyû frequently sent overseas in exchange for other goods, and there was even a so-called ''Iô gusuku'' ("sulphur warehouse") in [[Naha]] harbor expressly for the purpose of storing the material imported from Iôtorishima.<ref>Uezato. p78.</ref>
It is not clear exactly when firearms were introduced to Ryûkyû, but it is known that Ryûkyû enjoyed extensive trade with China, including trade in weapons, up until the 1450s, when a ban was placed on Fujian merchants selling weapons overseas, as these were needed to defend the coasts against ''[[wako|wakô]]'' raids. It is believed that gunpowder and firearms were first introduced to Ryûkyû from China, through this trade, though the Chinese Court had officially forbidden selling sulphur, or saltpeter (ingredients for making gunpowder) or gunpowder itself, overseas.<ref name=uezato77>Uezato. p77.</ref> The fact that Ryûkyû obtained weapons and gunpowder despite both of these bans is evidence that the China-Ryûkyû trade consisted not solely of the official [[tribute]] trade, but extended to smuggling as well. Ryûkyû had no need to trade for sulphur, though, at least, since the kingdom had a supply from [[Iotorishima|Iôtorishima]], a small island near [[Tokunoshima]]; in fact, sulphur was something Ryûkyû frequently sent overseas in exchange for other goods, and there was even a so-called ''Iô gusuku'' ("sulphur warehouse") in [[Naha]] harbor expressly for the purpose of storing the material imported from Iôtorishima.<ref>Uezato. p78.</ref>
