The Eiso Dynasty – Return to Prosperity

Eiso – From Regent to King

 

The last of the Shunten Dynasty kings, Gihon, saw many disasters befall Okinawa and he appointed Eiso to manage the nation’s affairs.  Eiso effectively ran the country from 1235 to 1260 as a regent under the king, when the realm was suffering very badly.  

Finally, in despair Gihon abdicated, thus ending the Shunten dynasty that his grandfather had started.   Eiso became King, starting a new family line of rulers.

Eiso’s Accomplishments – Prosperity Returns to Okinawa

Having seen the devastation that had befallen Okinawa under Gihon, Eiso realized how unprepared the country was for natural disasters.  He organized governmental institutions to build an emergency reserve to prepare for such disasters in the future. 

Eiso implemented a systematic taxation system, built warehouses of reserves, and began public works projects. He also built Shuri castle.  The government gained strength.  It was no longer just each aji as overlord of his own land, left to his own ideas about such matters.

The kingdom recovered and began to do well again.  Economic order returned. Systematic levies on rice fields and household production became law.

Eiso also began to bring the outer islands under his control.  In 1264, the islands of Kume, Kerama and Iheya began to send tribute to him.  In 1266, his rule expanded to Amami Oshima.  He built a government office in Tomari at the head of an inlet just below Shuri Castle to receive tributes. 

Foreign relations and trade also developed.  Buddhism was introduced to Okinawa during this time.  Tradition says that a shipwrecked priest named Zenkan, with Eiso’s patronage, built a temple at Urasoe named Gokurau-ji.

Kublai Khan and the Mongols Make Demands on Okinawa

In 1272, the Eiso court received a message from Kublai Khan, Mongol overlord and Emperor of the Yuan Dynasty in China.  He was getting ready to invade Japan via Korea, which he had already conquered.  His demands to Okinawa were twofold:  to submit to Mongol authority and to make a contribution to support his upcoming planned invasion of Japan. King Eiso rejected the demands and sent the envoys away. 

The Mongols did try to invade Japan in 1274, but were repelled by Japanese samurai fighting them at their beachhead, and by a typhoon that sank much of their fleet.

In 1276 the Mongols returned to Okinawa.  They were planning another attack against Japan and made the same demands for submission and assistance from Okinawa.   This time they also made a show of force but were driven off by the Okinawans.  Before they left they managed to take some 130 Okinawan captives with them. 

It turns out that the Mongols tried again to invade japan in 1281 with a much larger force of men, but again were defeated by a large typhoon that decimated their fleet.  That was Kublai Khan’s last attempt to take Japan.  It was also the battle that created the idea in Japan that their country was protected by a “Divine Wind of the Gods” or “Kamikaze.”  Such a belief would last until the end of World War II.

King Eiso’s Successors

Eiso ruled successfully until his death in 1299. The next two descendant kings ruled uneventfully and continued with progressive actions started by Eiso, but in 1314 an heir named Tamagusuku became king at age 19.

Tamagusuku did not continue the strong governance of his ancestors and did not follow his predecessors’ footsteps.  His poor leadership led to the loss of loyalty of several aji, and consequently the island split into three separate territories. 

The “Three Kingdoms”

Fed up with Tamagusuku’s leadership, the Lord of Osato left Urasoe and returned to his own castle in the south of Okinawa Island near present day Itoman.  He declared himself King of Nanzan (Southern Mountain).   Likewise, the Lord of Nakijin castle in the Motobu Peninsula to the north declared independence from Tamagusuku and made himself king of Hokuzan (Northern Mountain).

This left Tamagusuku as king of only the Chuzan (Central Mountain) area.  He had authority over only Urasoe, Shuri, and Naha.  But because of his superior trading ports he was still the wealthiest of the three kingdoms.

Okinawa effectively became three kingdoms, each with its own “king”, army, farm and fishing resources, and trading ports.

The Eiso Line Ends and Satto Rules Chuzan

At Tamagusukus' death in 1336 at the age of 40, the throne of Chuzan passed to his 10 year old son Seii.  The kingdom was basically ruled by his mother, however, and she was not popular.  Seii died in 1349 at the age of 23.

Upon Seii’s death, the governor of Urasoe, a man named Satto, took the throne of Chuzan, thereby starting a new dynasty.  A farsighted man, he would bring great changes to Ryukyu. Satto would be the man to accept relations with the Chinese Ming Dynasty and be named the king of the Ryukyu Kingdom by the Chinese emperor.  Satto would form the Sho Dynasty and reunite the country.

Shunten: The First Okinawan King of Historical Record

Shunten - First Recorded Ryukyu King

Shunten was the son of legendary warrior Minamoto Tametomo.  Raised by his Okinawan mother, he became lord of Urasoe at age 15.  At age 22 he became king after leading a successful attack on the traitor Riyu who had betrayed and poisoned the previous ruler.

King Shunten is the first recorded king of the Ryukyu Islands.  Whether he was really “king” of all Okinawa or simply a very powerful chieftain is debated among scholars. 

He started a family dynasty that  would end after a series of disasters befell his grandson’s reign as king. Up until then it was a time of relative peace and harmony.  Shunten was a good leader. He had the loyalty of the other aji and brought peace and prosperity to the land.

Shunten ruled until his death in 1237 at the age of 71 years.  He had a  50 year reign.  During his time he did much to develop the political, economic and social lives of the Okinawan people.  His dynasty lasted only two more generations, ending in 1259.

King Shumba-Junki – Shunten’s Son

Upon Shunten’s death the throne passed to his son Shumba-Junki who  ruled from 1238 to his death in 1248.  He was also considered a good ruler, and the kingdom had much prosperity.

Progress for the Okinawan people continued.  His reign saw the construction of Shuri castle.  He introduced the kana phonetic system of writing.  New clothing styles and headdresses came into fashion. 

Gihon – the Last of the Line

When Shumba-Junki died, he passed the throne to his son and Shunten's grandson, Gihon.  Gihon was 44 years old in the year 1248.  He was an unlucky king. 

During his reign the islands were struck with many typhoons and floods that destroyed crops, followed by famine, and sickness.  It is said that over half the population died.   Distraught over the deteriorating conditions, he appointed a regent named Eiso to manage the affairs of the country. 

Finally, despondent over what had befallen the kingdom, he abdicated and went into self-imposed exile in the wilderness.   It is said that he vanished somewhere in the hills at the remote northern tip of the island at Heda-misaki. 

The regent Eiso became king in 1260 and launched the Eiso dynasty which was to last  five  generations.

Meanwhile  in Japan - The Shogun and Samurai Warriors

 The Minamoto clan had taken over rule of mainland Japan in 1185. The first military dictator, or Shogun, a man named Minamoto no Yoritomo, moved the capital from Kyoto to Kamakura and continued to consolidate his power there. 

The word “samurai” originally meant “one who serves”.  In Japan, Yoritomo established the samurai class as a privileged and regulated military order.  The term became virtually synonymous with “bushi” or warrior.  The samurai followed a code of conduct referred to as “bushido”.  Samurai typically fought on horseback in full armor.  Other fighting men fought on foot and had lighter armor. Zen (Chan) Buddhism was introduced from China at this time.  It was widely accepted by the military class as a direct means to enlightenment through self-discipline and inner control. 

The evolution of “samurai” to mean only “bushi” did not happen in Okinawa.  Okinawans had warriors, but they maintained the distinction.

And in China - The Song  and Jin Dynasties and Kublai Khan

During this time China was split into the Song dynasty in the south and the Jin Dynasty in the north.  The Song dynasty invented many things including the abacus, printing press, and gunpowder.  Arts and culture also flourished.  They were in constant skirmishes with the Jin Dynasty.  The Mongols, led by Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, were also a threat.

The Okinawans would have an encounter with Kublai Khan’s forces in 1272, shortly after Eiso became king.

Next Post:  Eiso Dynasty

The First Okinawan Dynasty and the Legend of Tametomo

The Tenson Dynasty

The first line of kings in Okinawa was called the Tenson Dynasty or “Dynasty of Heavenly Descent.”  According to legend, the Tenson dynasty lasted over 17,000 years and had 25 kings in succession.  The first king was a direct descendant of Amamikyo, the Sun Goddess of Okinawa.  The dynasty came to an end in 1185 by violent means.

Little is known about this period of history, since it precedes any written records of Okinawa.  What we do know is based on a version of history written by Japanese historians in the 1600’s, over 400 years after the fact.

As the story goes, the 25^th Tenson king was overthrown by one of his retainers named Riyu.  In 1185 the treacherous Riyu poisoned the king, led a revolt, and declared himself the new king. 

Immediately following the Riyu insurrection, a man named Sonton led a counter revolt of aji  lords who were still loyal to the former Tenson throne.   Sonton’s forces defeated and killed Riyu.  Sonton was proclaimed King Shunten in 1187. He ruled for 50 years, and his family line ruled for another two generations.

Fact vs. Legend

Most historians agree that the story has been modified to justify Japan’s “divine right” to oversee Okinawa because it links Shunten's lineage to the Minamoto clan.  The Minamoto descendants  ruled Japan at the time this history was written.  They also controlled the Ryukyu kingdom following the Satsuma invasion of 1609. A political motivation existed to justify the linkage to Okinawa.  The connection of the Ryukyu kings to the Minamoto family was a “politically correct “move.

What we do know is that feudal society in Okinawa developed over a period of time from the 700's through the 1100's. Many local chieftains or warlords called aji grew to power, and fought each other for resources.  Over time, some would be more successful than others.  Rivalries and treachery would certainly have existed.

We also know that in 1185 the powerful Taira clan in Japan lost a war for control of that country.  Many Taira warriors fled to the Ryukyu Islands then.  They brought much knowledge with them that would have been helpful to the local aji in Okinawa.  Some speculate that a Taira clan connection to Shunten may actually be more likely than the Minamoto story.   

Nevertheless, it is a great story, full of heroism, romance and tragedy.  Here it is.

The Legend of Minamoto no Tametomo, Father of King Shunten

The first emperor of Japan was a child of the Sun Goddess.  In the 9th century, his grandson, emperor Kammu, founded the Taira family.  In the 10th century another grandson named Seiwa founded the Minamoto family.  Five generations later, Minamoto no Tametomo was born.

In 1156 Minamoto no Tametomo led an unsuccessful attack to claim the throne of Japan.  He was defeated by Taira no Kiyomori.  As punishment for his treason, Tametomo was banished to the Izu Peninsula in Japan.  Banishment to remote parts of the country or outer islands was a common form of exile and punishment, as an alternative to immediate execution, for example.

Stories vary on how Tametomo made it from Izu Peninsula to Okinawa, but somehow he did.  Once there, he struck up a friendly relationship with Lord Osato, one of the local aji.  Shortly thereafter, a marriage was arranged between Tametomo and Lord Osato's daughter.

They had one son, who they named Sonton.

Tametomo did not stay long in Okinawa. He was anxious to return to Japan.  As the story goes, he was never able to do so.  On the way there, he and his men engaged in a battle with superior Japanese forces.  Finding himself surrounded  Tametomo chose to commit ritual suicide (seppuku or hara kiri) rather than surrender.  This is claimed to be the first such ceremonial suicide.

Meanwhile, Sonton and his mother were abandoned and settled in Urasoe.  There they waited for Tametomo’s return, which of course never came.  The harbor they overlooked is today called Machi-minato or "waiting harbor".  Shunten was raised to manhood by his mother.

At age 15, Sonton inherited the throne of Osato, and became lord of Urasoe castle.  In 1187 at age 22, he led the successful campaign against the traitor Riyu (discussed above) and became King Shunten .  

Next:  the Shunten Dynasty.

Okinawa and the Taira Connection

The warring period (also called the Gusuku period) in Okinawa extended from the late 1100’s until the Ryukyu kingdom was finally unified under a single ruler in 1422.  Historians draw a significant connection to the year 1185 when many defeated Taira warriors fled Japan to take refuge in the Ryukyu Islands.

So, what is the story behind this Taira clan, and how could they have made a difference on Okinawan development?  For these answers, we need to look at some Japanese history.

Early Japanese History

While China has a recorded history going back to 800 B.C., Japan did not become a single country until 500 to 700 AD.   Coincidentally this was also just after or about the same time that the Japanese and Okinawan languages split apart.

The Japanese had much contact and exchange with China then.  In 645 A.D. Japan entered the Taika era (Taika means “great change”).   A centralized imperial state was created based on the Chinese Confucian idea that this was necessary to maintain balance and harmony in society.

The Nara and Heian periods – A Cultural High Point in Japan

The Nara and Heian periods that followed (710 to 1185) were a golden age for Japan. The Japanese imperial family borrowed many things from the Chinese and adapted them to Japan culture.  Buddhist religion and Chinese writing (Kanji) were introduced.  Buddhism began to replace the indigenous Shinto religion.  Music, literature, art, and architecture flourished.  Children were taught in Confucian style schools.

Toward the latter part of the Heian period the Japanese emperor’s central control weakened.  Regional groups ruled by warlords (daimyo) gained in strength.

Two powerful families emerged, namely the Taira and Minamoto clans.  As early as the 10th century, these two clans fought each other for domination over the empire.

Taira becomes first military leader of japan

In 1156 a dispute erupted over who should be emperor.  Taira and Minamoto battled in an episode called the Hogen Insurrection.  The Taira side won.   The Minamoto family made another attempt in 1159 to take power.  This one was named the Heiji Uprising.  Taira Kiyomori, leader of the Taira clan, crushed Minamoto and became the first undisputed national military leader. 

However, going against the advice of his advisors, he spared the life of the Minamoto's youngest son. This is a decision he would come to regret.

The Taira Reign

Taira did much for Japan. He built up a profitable trade with China in the western part of Japan.  He was noted for his strong skills in shipbuilding and seafaring.  He did much to improve ports and navigation for his country.  Experienced in the ways of the Kyoto imperial court, he was no doubt skilled in diplomacy and court intrigue.  His military skills and the loyalty of his warriors kept him in power.

Minamoto Returns – The Gempei War

20 years later, the young Minamoto son whose life had been spared grew to manhood.  Seeking revenge, a plot was hatched in 1180 to overthrow Taira's rule. 

In 1181 war broke out between the Tairas and Minamotos, called the Gempei War.  It was to be a crossroads in Japanese history.  The name Gempei comes from the Chinese reading of the kanji for the respective clan names.  Gen is another pronunciation for Minamoto, and Hei for Taira.  When the two characters are put together in Japanese they are pronounced Gempei.

Minamoto had his forces in the east and north. Taira's strength was in the west and south.  Taira was also stronger at sea.

In 1183 Taira’s superior army was defeated in a battle at Mount Tonami.  Minamoto then captured the capital city Kyoto, and forced Taira forces to retreat west.  One year later Taira lost another major battle called Ichi-no-tani. 

Finally, a famous sea battle in 1185 called Dannoura in western Japan sealed Taira’s fate.  Despite his superior naval skills Taira forces suffered a final major defeat.  This ended the Taira rule over Japan. 

Minamoto became supreme leader of Japan and moved the capital to Kamakura.  He and his descendants would rule for the next 700 years.  The Minamoto takeover also signaled a change from the aesthetic, scholarly culture that had developed in Kyoto to the warrior samurai culture or “bushido” code.  Military dictators, or Shoguns, would rule Japan until 1868, when the Meiji Restoration gave power back to the emperor. 

What Taira people would have brought to Okinawa

Many Taira loyalists went south to the Ryukyu Islands.  They would have brought advanced knowledge of ships, sailing and navigation. Their experience in the royal Japanese court would have provided political expertise.  They would have carried knowledge of economic relations with China, with whom they had traded extensively.  And of course they would also have knowledge of military strategies and tactics.  All these skills would have been valued by the Okinawan local lords, called aji.

What it meant for Okinawa

The next 200 years in the Ryukyu Islands saw a proliferation of the aji, inter-village rivalries, and the construction of numerous castles (gusuku) all over the Ryukyu Islands.  Better navigation skills helped to increase trade with China and other countries, thus ushering in a period of wealth such as Okinawa had never before seen.

Today, the name “Taira” is one of the 10 most common Okinawan surnames. 

From Villages to Castles and the Feudal Period

The first villages in Okinawa, called makyo, began as a one-family affair.  Over time, the population grew and branches of the clan developed. Other families also moved in.  In this way larger communities called mura formed.   The mura had two or more blood groups or clans in the same village. 

The Family Village and the Sacred Grove

Families coming to settle in the islands would first look for a suitable place.  This was typically on a hilltop or mountainside where there was good sun for crop growing, high enough to be away from the storm surges of typhoons and floods, and easy to defend from other villages.  A source of fresh water such as a stream or spring was also important.

The sacred grove or otake formed the center of the family village.  The site for the otake was a heavy clump of trees and bushes with a small clearing.  A large rock or vessel for burning incense stood in the center.  The otake represented the place where the protective kami (god) of the family would present himself from time to time.

A nice article from “Of Andagi and Sanshin” by Wesley Uenten explains how the spirits of deceased ancestors transform to kami (gods) over time if cared for properly.  As memories of the ancestor fade among those still living, the ancestor moves from a spirit to a kami.

Village Government and the Creation Myth

The village was the earliest form of organization.  It was led by the house of the founding family, or the Neya – the root house.  Governance mirrored the religious beliefs about creation.

Several versions of the Okinawan creation myth exist.  According to Sakihara, the most basic one says that the Sun God created a man/woman figure called Amamikyo/Shinereikyo, and this figure gave birth to people – lords, priestesses, and commoners.  Village society reflected this creation myth by having the male head of the root house as “lord”.   The female head of the root house was priestess. The rest of the villagers were followers of these rulers.

The male head of the family controlled the political and business affairs of the village. The head female, typically a sister, controlled all religious and ceremonial activities.  The commoners were the basis for economic production.

Early Village Economy

Up to the end of the 12th century, Okinawa was at a primitive stage of development.  Survival depended on both farming and fishing to ensure enough food.  Rice was a very vulnerable crop and could easily be damaged by floods or drought. Fishing was restricted to areas close to shore, due to the crude level of boat building and navigation. 

Okinawa was chiefly connected externally with Japan in the north.  It was relatively easy to navigate to Kyushu along the island chain.   Travel to the south was risky and dangerous due to the large open stretch of ocean and many typhoons. 

The Feudal Period Begins

Okinawan population continued to increase. Small family villages merged with other clans to become larger multi-clan towns.  The once isolated villages started to find themselves competing among each other for resources. 

As competition for space and resources grew, communities developed local chieftains or lords, called aji.  These aji were looking for ways to expand their power and care for their people.

In 1185 the powerful Taira clan in Japan lost a major war with the Minamoto clan for control over that country.  Many defeated Taira warriors fled to the southern islands of Okinawa for refuge, bringing their knowledge and skills with them.  This would have included military strategy and advanced maritime skills, for which the Taira family was especially noted.

No doubt the Okinawan aji welcomed this influx of new information.  New technology would help them in their power struggles and their fight for resources.  Castle fortresses or gusuku were built by the aji as bases to conduct their campaigns.  The word for gusuku in Japanese is shiro or jo. 

 

Today, many Okinawans have “shiro” as part of their name.

The period of battling chieftains in Okinawa is also called, the Gusuku period, named after the large number of such structures built.  Today there are 200 to 300 remains of gusuku found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. 

This warring period lasted for over 200 years.

Karate Then and Now - Lecture by Charles Goodin and Sensei Pat Nakata

The karate that we see and learn today is much different than the original martial art developed in old Okinawa. 

Charles Goodin of the Hawaii Karate Museum and Sensei Pat Nakata of the Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate Association presented an enlightening review of the Karate’s history.  Their lecture "Karate in the Ryukyu Kingdom, Okinawa Prefecture, and Hawaii:  How is Okinawan Culture Spread through Karate” was part of the Center for Okinawan Studies Lecture Series.  It was held February 9, 2012 at the University of Hawaii, Manoa Campus.

Karate Development in the Ryukyu Kingdom

 

Ryukyu became a tribute state to China in the 1370's. Strong trade relations existed then between Ryukyu and China's Ming dynasty.  As part of a cultural exchange between the two countries, the Chinese sent the famous "36 families" to Okinawa to live and share their crafts and skills.  Martial artists were among them.  They taught the Ryukyuans their Chinese techniques. 

Over time the imported Chinese fighting style combined with native Okinawan techniques to become “Karate.”  In those days the name was Tu ti, meaning “Chinese hand” or “foreign hand.”

Karate Practitioners in Old Ryukyu

 

Legend says that peasants learned karate in secret to rise up against evil Samurai warriors. While romantic, it isn’t true.  Peasants were too busy trying to survive the harsh island life to have energy or time to devote to learning martial arts. 

Mr. Goodin presented evidence that only the gentry classes of Okinawa practiced Karate.  About one third of the population then was gentry class. They had assigned duties and were paid to perform them.  Learning martial arts would have been part of these duties.

Different Karate Styles for Shuri, Naha, and Tomari

 

Different schools arose in Okinawa based on the areas where they were practiced. 

Shuri castle was the home of royalty, with many foreign visitors.  The Shuri-te style was therefore more refined.  Practitioners could not show their calloused hands to visitors.  Shuri-te named their katas, or formalized practice routines, after the names of the people who created them. 

Naha, the port city, was where the bulk of the 36 Chinese families settled.  So the Naha-te style more closely aligned to Chinese methods.  Typical of the Chinese system at the time, Naha-te katas were named by numbers. 

People in the port city of Tomari had great exposure to sailors from other lands, and many diverse travelers and fighting methods.  The Tomari-te style was a mix of Shuri-te and Naha-te styles. 

Karate Training Then and Now

 

Old karate did not use gi's or belt systems.  These came later after Okinawa became a prefecture of Japan.  Before that people practiced in their street clothes. The belts or sashes they wore reflected their gentry rank, not karate rank.  Karate had no ranking systems. 

Unlike today, classes were small.  A sensei taught only a handful of students.

Training in Secret

 

Sensei Nakata indicated that ‘death’ matches were common at that time.  So people tried to keep their karate knowledge a secret to avoid being challenged to a duel.  They did not train in secret to avoid detection by Japanese samurai.

Karate in Okinawa Prefecture

 

In 1879, Japan abolished the Ryukyu kingdom and the gentry classes, and started to force more conformity to Japan ways in Okinawa.  There were consequences for Karate.

 The gentry class now needed to find work to support themselves.  Because of this, many karate teachers and other artisans had to perform for commoners and others to earn money.  The result was that karate and other Okinawan arts became widely available to the public.

Japan also did not like the fact that Karate used the characters for "Chinese hand."  So the name was changed to mean "Empty hand" to remove the Chinese reference. “Empty hand” also suggested a mysterious Zen-like quality that was more Japanese than Okinawan.

Modern Karate

 

Karate had always been considered a deadly art to be used only for self-defense.  In 1900 Sensei Itosu introduced Karate into the school system as a way to train Okinawan boys to become better soldiers for the Japanese army.  Over time, the Judo system of wearing gi's and using colored belts for ranks was adopted. Sparring tournaments were also added, something that old karate never engaged in.

Karate’s History in Hawaii

 

Many famous Karate men visited Hawaii over the years and the speakers reviewed a long list of names, too many to cover here.  They showed many old photos of these great masters and their travels to Hawaii.

Karate Philosophy and Okinawan Spirit

 

The goal of karate is to save your opponent, not to kill him.  Ryukyu, a small kingdom living under the shadow of both Japan and China, did not have the option to attack first.

Sensei Nakata and Charles Goodin spoke of how true karate expresses the Okinawan spirit.  The five principles of karate are:

·         have humility and respect for others
·        develop one's mind through training
·        always try your best
·        develop awareness so that you can avoid unnecessary conflict
·        develop the essence of martial character - bravery, honesty, justice, etc. 

Starting postures in traditional Karate kata embody these principles. The left hand always covers the right hand.   The right hand symbolizes power and the left hand passivity.  By covering the right with the left, you are expressing that you do not want to fight.

A story by Sensei Nakata summed it up.  Sensei was counseling a child who was getting into fights all the time. The child asked, “Sensei, when is it ok to fight?"  Sensei answered, “When you are ready to die.”

 

The First Okinawans

Prehistoric Okinawa

Who were the first humans to arrive in the Ryukyu Islands? How did they get there?  What was life like?  How did they survive?  When did they become “Okinawans”?  

The word “prehistoric” refers to the time from when humans first appeared until written records started.  The significance of this is that we must search for clues left behind (human remains, tools, and other artifacts) to figure out the answers to these questions.  For Okinawa, prehistory is thought to extend from about 7,000 B.C. to 1200 A.D.

The First Arrivals

 

The earliest human remains dating to 30,000 B.C. were found in Naha.  Another set of remains found in Minatogawa goes back to 18,000 B.C.  But continuous human activity in the Ryukyu Islands can only be traced back to 3,000 B.C. 

Research about these early days still continues.  By knowing how people travelled, and by comparing archaeological findings, the following picture emerges as one possibility.  This summary is based mainly on the writings of Pearson and Sakihara.

Ocean travel in Dugout Canoes

 

To get to the Ryukyu Islands you needed to cross the sea.  The earliest boats were simple dugout canoes.  They were powered by a sail or by oars.  Straying too far from shore was risky business.  Travelers would want to keep land in sight at all times.

From Kyushu to Okinawa Island lies a string of small islands close enough together that land was always in sight.  Likewise, Yaeyama and Miyako are linked to Taiwan by another series of islands. People from Japan in the north could work their way to Okinawa by canoe. Travelers from Southeast Asia and China in the south could reach Yaeyama and Miyako. 

Between Miyako and Okinawa lies 175 miles of nothing but ocean.  The long distance, combined with typhoons in that region, made the journey between the north and south Ryukyu Islands tough and risky.  These travel restrictions led to separate developments in the two island groups.  See my post "Okinawa - Location is Destiny" for more on geography.

Northern Islands and Okinawa Settlements came from Japan

 

Tools and pottery found in ancient sites in Okinawa are similar to those discovered in Kyushu. The islands nearest to Kyushu saw human activity as early as 3,000 B.C.  Descendants of those people moved south to Amami Oshima and then Okinawa some 500 to 1,000 years later, between 2,500 B.C. and 2,000 B.C.  This culture lasted until about 200 A.D. 

Northern Island Lifestyle

 

These early islanders were hunter-gathers, living off the sea and the land.  They caught fish and shellfish. They hunted and trapped wild pigs. And they ate vegetables that grew naturally around them.  They brought domesticated dogs with them.

Homes were built from large coral rock, away from the sea.  Houses were generally rectangle-shaped.  Each had a small hearth and pit for cooking. 

Tools for cutting and hammering were made of stone. Bones were used to make pins and needles. Pottery jars had simple designs.  Shells were crafted into ornaments.

Southern Island Settlements came from Southeast Asia and Taiwan

 

Just as island-hopping linked Japan all the way to Okinawa island, in the same way were the southern islands connected to Taiwan and Southeast Asia.

Differences between North and South Cultures

 

Artifacts found on the southern islands are similar to those seen in Taiwan, Philippines and other Southeast Asian cultures.  The pottery is much different from Amami and Okinawa.  The discovery of hoes in the South points to a strong farming society.  Different groups may have co-existed on the southern islands up until 1,000 A.D. 

Contacts with the Outside World

 

The early settlers were isolated and had little interaction with the outsiders.  Wayward boats or shipwrecked survivors would have washed ashore as the Black Current or typhoons swept them from the south toward the islands. 

Sporadic trade with China started around 200 B.C. 

Contact between the north and south islands began around 200 A.D.  Trade with China and Korea also increased and became more regular. 

Village Society Develops

 

Small permanent villages emerged sometime after 200 A.D.  Advances in farming methods needed an organized community effort to plant, grow and harvest crops.  Shallow sea fishing also continued.  The village culture continued until the end of the prehistoric period.

The Okinawan Language Appears

 

The Okinawan and Japanese languages were once the same. But they split apart sometime between 0 A.D. and 500 A.D.  Today they are completely separate languages and a person who speaks one cannot understand the other.  In fact, Amami, Okinawa, Miyako, and Yaeyama each developed their own dialects.

Okinawa is “Born”

 

Starting around 600 A.D. Chinese and Japanese documents began to refer to the islands as a distinct location.  Documents from the Chinese Sui Dynasty (589 to 618 A.D.) talk about “Liu-Chiu” (Ryukyu).  Japan records mention “Okinawa” around 616 A.D.   

And the Rest, as They Say, is History

 

Advances in technology and culture continued. Prehistory ended when written language was introduced in 1187 A.D.    A united Ryukyu Kingdom came into being some 200 years later.  That kingdom became a vibrant international trading center for the Asian region for many years to follow.