Embedded Files
Author: Ruipeng Lu
Some keywords frequently emerge in discussions regarding the historical relations between Okinawa, historically referred to as the Ryukyu Kingdom, China, and Japan. For instance, these include concepts such as the tributary system, accredited Chinese envoys, the investiture ceremony, and dual subordination. However, when asked what these terms refer to, many people may struggle to provide a well-formulated and detailed answer. Two books can make a good source of information, and both can be found at the Hamilton Library of UHM. One is in English The Ryukyu Kingdom: Cornerstone of East Asia written by Mamoru Akamine and translated by Lina Terrell; the other is in Chinese Ming Qing Zhong Liu Guan Xi Lun Ji (明清中琉關係論集), written by Jiexian Chen. The former emphasizes the vibrant and influential polity of Ryukyu within the context of premodern East Asian international relations, while the latter serves as a supplementary resource that provides more comprehensive background information regarding the origins of the tributary system and the specific manner in which Ryukyu engaged with it throughout historical periods. Also, it is worth notifying that the Japanese editions of both books are also available at Hamilton Library.
Mamoru Akamine’s The Ryukyu Kingdom: Cornerstone of East Asia substantially contributes to English-language scholarship on the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom by presenting a nuanced analysis of the kingdom's interactions with regional powers, particularly China and Japan. Akamine addresses a significant gap in the availability of accessible surveys pertaining to Okinawan history for English-speaking audiences. The book provides a vivid account of the emergence of the Ryukyu Kingdom as an essential trading hub during the Ming dynasty, highlighting its voluntary incorporation into China's tribute system. Akamine’s representation of the Ryukyuan economy and culture, influenced by a blend of traditions—from the northern Yayoi to southern affiliations with Taiwan and Southeast Asia—portrays the kingdom as a dynamic and cosmopolitan entity.
It is imperative to emphasize that the publication addresses the processes of sinicization in Ryukyu from the 17th to the 19th centuries, a period in which the kingdom fostered its unique identity through substantial connections with China. After Satsuma's invasion in 1609. Ryukyuan leaders adeptly utilized their Chinese affiliations to resist complete assimilation into Japan's Bakufu system. A series of sinification policies were implemented throughout the kingdom, and a number of Chinese cultural practices, such as fengshui were too introduced. This historical progression is conceptualized as a conscious strategy to counterbalance a powerful entity with the influence of another, thereby affirming autonomy while sustaining a level of detachment from Japan’s expanding influence. Akamine's analysis of these dual relationships gives readers a comprehensive perspective on Ryukyu’s agency and dependency. He interprets diplomatic performances, such as the Edo nobori missions, in which the Ryukyuans were all dressed up in Chinese outfits, as strategic acts of sovereignty rather than mere formalities subjugation. Moreover, Akamine elucidates the darker aspects of the tributary system by discussing violence, criminal activities, issues pertaining to human trafficking and slavery, as well as the abuses of this system as documented in Chinese records.
On the other hand, while the book’s achievements are significant, readers should remain critical and recognize its limitations. To be specific, the focus on elite diplomacy and Chinese sources resulted in limited attention to ordinary Ryukyuans and regions beyond Shuri and Naha, such as the dynamics between the royal capital and outlying islands, including Yaeyama islands. As Gillan (2012) points out, Yaeyamans are justly proud of their work song repertory, which is sometimes linked to the particular harsh nintōzei (poll tax, 人頭税). Although the royal government collected taxes with a relaxed attitude in the early days, a dramatic change occurred after 1609 when Ryukyu was invaded and subjugated by the Satsuma domain from mainland Japan. This invasion prompted Satsuma to demand Ryukyu’s annual tribute, resulting in severe tax duties on ordinary Yaeyaman islanders, with several exceptions, such as those for government officials and their families, as well as their mistresses from the local Yaeyaman peasantry (18-19). However, records concerning the historical experiences of the Yaeyaman islands were missing in Akamine’s work. Additionally, it is essential to recognize the challenges involved in translation, such as the absence of certain content that is present in the original Japanese but missing from the English edition. For example, in the original Japanese version, readers can respectively find two detailed table charts that illustrate the organizational structure of the royal government and the rankings of Ryukyu aristocracy on pages 112 and 113. On the contrary, these two charts are missing in the English edition.
Notwithstanding these limitations, The Ryukyu Kingdom: Cornerstone of East Asia emerges as a significant contribution to the field of Ryukyuan studies. Akamine’s emphasis on the kingdom’s proactive role in shaping its own destiny stands in stark contrast to previous representations of Okinawa as a passive victim of larger powers. By celebrating the cultural diversity and openness inherent in its Asian connections, the book not only enhances the existing historical scholarship but also resonates profoundly with contemporary discussions regarding Okinawan identity.
Citations:
Akamine, Mamoru. The Ryukyu Kingdom : Cornerstone of East Asia. Edited by Robert N. Huey. Translated by Lina Terrell. Paperback edition. Honolulu: University of Hawaiʻi Press, 2019.
Akamine, Mamoru. Ryūkyū ōkoku : Higashi Ajia no kōnā sutōn (琉球王国:東アジアのコーナーストン). Tōkyō: Kōdansha, 2004.
Chen, Jiexian. Ming qing zhong liu guan xi lun ji (明清中琉關係論集). Chu ban. Taibei Shi: San min shu ju gu fen you xian gong si, 2019.
Gillan, Matt. “Imagining Okinawa: Japanese Pop Musicians and Okinawan Music.,” 2009.
Page updated
Report abuse