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 wakō 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 wakō 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.