The History of The Ryukyu Kingdom and Its Culture

Okinawa Prefecture – once called the Ryukyu Kingdom – has formed its own unique culture. Around the 14th century, the Ryukyu Kingdom was divided into three small principalities – Hokuzan, Chuzan, and Nanzan – with a conflict waged over Okinawa Island. The most powerful among them was Chuzan, which was based in the present-day city of Urasoe, where three dynasties – Shunten, Eiso, and Satto – prospered. 'Urasoe was the royal capital that laid the foundation for the Ryukyu Kingdom'

Urasoe, the royal capital of the early Ryukyu Kingdom, can be said to have laid the foundation for the Ryukyu Kingdom, which prospered as a transit trading base in Southeast Asia after entering the Great Age of Trade. There are still many historical sites remaining in Urasoe City, such as “Urasoe Gusuku,” which was the royal castle of Chuzan, “Urasoe Yodore” the royal mausoleum of Chuzan in the early Ryukyu nation, and the old cobblestone road that connects Shurijo Castle and Urasoe Gusuku.

Naha Port, which became a trade center in line with the relocation of the royal capital, supported the development of the Ryukyu Kingdom by becoming a center of trade with Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. The following inscription is engraved on the “Bankoku Shinryo no Kane (Bridge between All Nations of the World Bell)” hanging in front of Shurijo Seiden: “Ryukyu is located in a blessed region in the South Seas … sailing on ships and serving as a bridge between all nations, the land is filled with treasures.” As indicated in this inscription, Ryukyu developed through trade with foreign countries, welcoming Chinese envoys and other visitors with courtesy.

In addition to the pig breeding and tofu manufacturing methods that are indispensable for Ryukyuan cuisine then and now, it is said that the Shimi Festival and usanmi (pork, poultry, and fish offerings) served there were passed on from Kume-mura to the royal government, and then to the ordinary households. Even now, during the Shimi Festival, usanmi are sold in large quantities at supermarkets in Okinawa.

【Court Cuisine and Ryukyuan Performing Arts Nurtured by the Spirit of Courtesy】　During the Ryukyu Kingdom era, Chinese investiture envoys visited the Ryukyu Kingdom to perform sappo (a ritual to appoint the new king).The missions, consisting of some 400 members, are said to have stayed in Okinawa for about half a year. During their stay, seven large banquets called “Shichien” sponsored by the king were held in various places such as Shurijo Hokuden and Tenshikan, in addition to the majestic investiture ceremony. At these banquets, more 30 Chinese-style dishes were served.

In addition, at the “Shichien,” dancers dressed in colorful and gorgeous bingata costumes performed Ryukyuan dances. The Kumiodori (a form of narrative traditional Ryukyuan dance consisting of music, dance, and dialogue), which was later registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, was also performed there.

【“Awamori” – Alcoholic Beverage Handed Down to the Present as Goyoshu (Official Liquor)】　Around the 15th century, the Ryukyu Kingdom was actively engaged in trade with Southeast Asia, especially with Siam (present-day Thailand). Around that time, it is said that Ryukyuan traders brought back distilled liquor and the technology to produce it to Ryukyu, and in the latter half of the 15th century, awamori production began.

【 “Food Culture” and “Performing Arts” That Continue Without Interruption After Going Through Changing Times】　The Ryukyu Kingdom” which had a history of about 450 years, came to an end due to the abolition of the “han (feudal domain)” system and its replacement with a system of prefectures carried out by the Meiji government. After the Ryukyu Kingdom became Okinawa Prefecture, the chefs who worked for the Ryukyu Kingdom lost their jobs, but Ryukyuan cuisine that had its origins in the ukwanshin cuisine and Japanese-style cuisine that was introduced under Satsuma rule spread from the Shuri area to social gathering places in the Naha area. Numerous dishes such as “nakami jiru (clear pork gut soup)” and “tofuyo (fermented bean curd)” that people had consumed since the Ryukyu Kingdom era are still popular among the Okinawan people. In addition, “goya chanpuru (stir fry dish consisting of tofu, goya (bitter melon) and other vegetables such as bean sprouts)” as well as “ikasumi jiru (squid ink soup),” which is known as saguigusui (medication that eliminates harmful substances from the body), is in line with the concept of ishokudogen (idea that both food and medicine help preserve health, and that they both have the same origin), and even now, the concept of “nuchigusui = drug of life” and “kusuimun = drug” is rooted in the daily lives of the Okinawan people, and these dishes are commonly found on the menu at local restaurants, etc.

Meanwhile, Okinawa Prefecture is a region where singing and dancing is so popular that it is often referred to as an “island of performing arts,” and performing arts are very familiar to the Okinawan people in their daily lives, as they are always staged at (wedding) receptions and other events. Regularly scheduled performances of Ryukyuan dances and Kumiodori are held at the National Theater Okinawa (Urasoe City), so anyone can easily experience and enjoy Okinawa’s performing arts. A long-established ryotei (fancy Japanese-style restaurant) that is still in business today and other similar establishments can be found in Naha City where customers can enjoy Ryukyu cuisine and awamori while enjoying Ryukyuan dance and other performing arts, just like the Chinese investiture envoys did in the past, so it is possible to enjoy Okinawan food and performing arts there. In this way, the internationally rich food and performing arts culture cultivated during the Ryukyu Kingdom era has been handed down from generation to generation, and it still attracts local Okinawans as well as tourists from mainland Japan and foreign countries.