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1872-79 domain of the Japanese Empire after annexing the Ryūkyū Kingdom; now Okinawa Prefecture From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ryukyu Domain (琉球藩, Ryūkyū han) was a short-lived domain of the Empire of Japan, lasting from 1872 to 1879, before becoming the current Okinawa Prefecture and other islands[citation needed] at the Pacific edge of the East China Sea.
Ryūkyū Domain 琉球藩 | |||||||||
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Domain of Japan Tributary state of Qing China (until 1875) | |||||||||
1872–1879 | |||||||||
Mon of the Second Shō family
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![]() Ryukyu Domain included the southern-half of the Ryukyu Islands. | |||||||||
Capital | Shuri Castle | ||||||||
Government | |||||||||
• Type | Monarchy | ||||||||
Domain head | |||||||||
• 1872–1879 | Shō Tai | ||||||||
Sanshikan | |||||||||
• 1872–1879 | Urasoe Chōshō | ||||||||
• 1875–1879 | Tomikawa Seikei | ||||||||
• 1877–1879 | Yonabaru Ryōketsu | ||||||||
Historical era | Meiji period | ||||||||
• Established | 1872 | ||||||||
• Disestablished | 1879 | ||||||||
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Today part of | Okinawa Prefecture |
When the domain was created in 1872, Japan's feudal han system had developed in unique ways. The domain was a political and economic abstraction based on periodic cadastral surveys and projected agricultural yields.[1] In other words, the domain was defined in terms of kokudaka, not land area.[2] This was different from the feudalism of the West.
In 1609, the invasion of Ryukyu caused a change in the relationship of the island nation and Japan.[3] After 1609, the Ryukyuan kings were forced to be vassals of the Shimazu clan of Satsuma and the islands were occasionally viewed as a province of Japan.[4] At the same time, the kingdom and its rulers remained carefully independent, and also paid tribute to China.[5]
The dual nature of the kingdom and its rulers was eliminated with the creation of the Ryukyu Domain which existed from 1872 through 1879.[6] In 1872, the Emperor of Japan changed the title of Shō Tai, who was the Ryukyu Kingdom's monarch (琉球国王 Ryūkyū-koku-ō). Instead, Shō Tai became a domain head (琉球藩王 Ryūkyū-han-ō). In other words, the Ryukyu Kingdom was then recognized as a han.[7] The former monarch and Ryukyuan aristocrats were granted lands and stipends of support in this period.[8] The administration of the Ryukyus was established under the jurisdiction of the Foreign Ministry.[7] After the Taiwan Expedition of 1874, Japan's role as the protector of the Ryukyuan people was acknowledged; but fiction of the Ryukyu Kingdom's independence was partially maintained until 1879.[9] In 1875, administrative jurisdiction over the Ryukyus was transferred from the Foreign Ministry to the Home Ministry.[7]
In 1879, Shō Tai was forced to abdicate and move to Tokyo, Ryukyu Domain was abolished, and Okinawa Prefecture was established.[10] Shō Tai was given the title of Marquis and added to the list of Japan's peerage.[11]
In 1876, Kōchi Chōjō gathered other Ryukyuans who, like himself, had fled for China, including Rin Seikō (林世功) and Sai Taitei (蔡大鼎).[12] Together, they submitted numerous petitions to the Qing officials asking for help on behalf of the kingdom. Though there was little, if any, positive response for a long time, Chōjō and others refused to give up.[13]
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