A historical Perspective During the Reign of

CHUI #2

Many high level meetings between the royal family members in Shinkoku and Okinawa were taking place. This was necessary to seal the trade tie deals and provide gifts as required by custom. The Satsuma clan was also interested in these deals for other reasons no outlined as of yet because political maneuvering was on ongoing.

---Gokan Sen---

(The Ship Gokan Sen)
According to Okinawan history many bigger ships were coming and going during the old days and the areas surrounding the Okinawan port of Naha which had to be built up to support all the new trade concessions that were upcoming or being expanded to handle the increased trade. Especially the larger Okinawan ship the Gokan Sen. Sakufushi the Chinese envoy was visiting and he came by the Gokan Sen to visit during the 15th century during the reign of Satsudo no Shibunei. He was the envoy handling communiqués between the then Okinawan government from the then Ming era government and royal officials before he had to return home. This is the earliest record of trade negotiations that were recorded in history. Many autobiographies of the then kings were written and recorded by a man named Saion. Then with the coming of the Manchu era more senior envoys of that government continued the existing trade agreements and they also sent envoys with armed military escorts during these negotiations. Along with the returning Chinese envoy Sakufushi came another senior envoy Seifukushi who came with 400-500 military escorts on the Ship the Togo Sen to discuss additional military and other trade negotiations. The travel time from the city of Fuchow to Okinawa was 5-6 months in duration.
These ships that brought the envoys were also escorted by tribute bearing ships. Both the Okinawans and the Chinese operated in this manner. Many other countries were taking advantage of these new sea routes to establish new trade ties. The trip could be less if they had favorable winds at their sails. The pride ship of the Okinawans the Tokan sen had as many as ten escort ships at one time. This was a good time for the Okinawans.

Upon arrival at either end both countries saluted their respective ships upon arrival with cannons, music and festivals. New Zen temples were built on both sides as tribute to the success of the new government ties and agreed upon sea routes.

Many new government officials were assigned to a variety of tasks to oversee the trade concerns. China left 20 business experts behind to manage their end of the business, much as Okinawa had done. The senior envoy Sakufushi stayed on Okinawa for nine months. This long stay was the normal interval for most senior staff. It was a hardship, as they had to bring their food and clothing from China during their stay. It was a long time between supply ships to get the things they needed for comfort.
Okinawa at this time did not have a lot of animals indigenous to the island like sheep or geese. But when the Chinese came they started a special farm for breeding these animals. Okinawa also did not have certain local shellfish that China had until after they had arrived. Okinawa for the most part was a like a protected wildlife reserve where hunting and fishing was prohibited. China also gained on this in that they had got\ten permission from Okinawa to take some of the fruit bearing trees back to China to cultivate there was much to teach the Chinese about these trees and how to care for them.

China and Okinawa’s theme during this era was one world one era between the two countries. Many gifts came from the Chinese Emperor to the Ryukyuan King and Queen on a regular basis and vice versa. Many grand banquets were held in the honor of them and their descendants and a sign of civility and peace between the two countries. During the 8th and 9th months when it signaled the end of the summer and the beginning of autumn they held a grandest of all festivals called the Chrysanthemum Ceremony (C/C) which was on the 9th month 9th day. They also had a resignation festival, Moon Ship festival before and after the C/C. The place of the festivals was one of serene beauty rich with lush foliage, palm trees, a large selection of fauna, and warm winds. In honor of the Chinese emperor and his envoys a special opera was given entitled “Haryusen". This opera the banquets and festivals lasted for day’s even weeks.

The Chinese crown ship was given suitable goods as trade to include, gold, silver, silks, fruit, fish, etc, etc. Normally Chinese in the past traveled not visit but talk about war or settling some sort of dispute. Never did they did they expect such a welcome as they got from the Okinawan King and Queen and their loyal subjects.
These trips were also very expensive not in gifts or trade but in wages for the people who had to run the day to day operations to get these people from point A to point B. People were limited as to what they could take on board and or take back except for the royal family of course. Much was learned on the political side of the arena laws of each other’s countries, the inner working of each other’s government and how they each solved their countries problems and or dilemmas.
Each country made a profit on everything they received and sold of course otherwise it would not have been profitable for them to engage in such a venture. They also had to tax each other on the goods leaving and entering specific ports of call. There was then a limit set on the number of port calls established because of rising costs in 1719 by then King of Okinawa Shokei O. Sakufushi was always at the forefront of these visits. During this time each country was entering or emerging into changing times. The tribute ship port calls dropped off drastically during this era due to the changing political climate and the many Satsuma war ships were cruising the seas routes of late were causing concern from both countries. Pirate trade and black marketeering was on the rise. Ships were boarded and burned at sea. Yamato had its war ships also sailing these routes
Paying tribute was a known in the Chinese way of life in the trade business. Many feared that if tribute was not paid then all trade would stop. Therefore this process was never stopped. Reform was built on this concept of tribute.

CHUI #3
--- Shin Heki wa Kei Sho (c), Makabi Chan Guwa (j) ---

This man was a very important character in history. He was a very popular Bushi always full of vim and vigor. He was one of the Bushi from one of the four famous martial families. He was born during the era of King Shoboku and Shoan Shoki. He died during the era Shoko era at the age of 55.

Many people he was associated with were all acrobats who also practiced the martial arts especially the kicking exercises. These acrobats specialized in the highflying kicks. These types of kicks were known to have great power and strength because of there over developed leg muscles, as they were expert acrobats. Shoto Shinko was such an acrobat as was his father who was also known for his muscular strength as a strongman.
These types of people were from good stock both physically and mentally.

Kyoryu Kanshi Tokucho

Ryukyu Shiryo Kayukai

Okinawan Historical Data Society

CHUI #4