2. Founding of the Ming Dynasty and the Rise of the Ryukyu Kingdom

Abstract

With the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Hongwu announced a ban on sea travel to try and control <italic>wakō</italic> pirates. He established a tribute system whereby countries that accepted the Chinese emperor as sovereign could send tribute trade missions to and from China. Because the pirates frequented the Ryukyu Islands, Hongwu had a preference policy toward Ryukyu to obtain their help in controlling <italic>wakō</italic> pirates. Of the three domains dominating Okinawa Island, Chūzan emerged as China’s main trading partner, and this began the process of unifying the Ryukyu Kingdom. A number of Chinese merchants, traditionally known as “the Thirty-six Families” relocated to Ryukyu to facilitate tribute trade, though the author disputes the conventional view of this as a “gift” from China. By the end of the chapter, Ryukyu is poised to be a key player – a cornerstone – in the East Asian trade sphere.