The Ryukyu Imperial family were once the “deities” enshrined beyond these gates.

Nowadays, the doors sit open, but during the Ryukyu Kingdom they were closed shut. These doors were only open to envoys from China and no matter how influential and powerful the person, anyone else would have to go through the smaller side doors.

Beyond these gates is a plaza referred to as the “Una Plaza.” Beyond that is the main hall or the “Seiden.” Behind the Seiden lies what was once called “O’uchibara,” a private space for the Imperial family. In other words, the main hall was a barrier separating the two sides of the grounds. The front area was the male-dominated world where politics took place. In the back is where the women held their own version of society. Something else to point out is the first floor of the Seiden is a part of the “front” world, whereas the second floor was considered a part of the “back” world.

From here, you will have to pay the entrance fee to continue, but we promise, it’s worth it. Let’s continue our journey.

Up until now we have explored over half of the 450 years of Ryukyuan History mostly focusing on stories in the first half.

Ryukyu mostly relied on the influence of the superpowers around them, and they used this to their advantage. For example, they established a retainerd state with China and received their envoys as a show of gratitude. In return they used the influence of China to send their ships throughout Asia and yield the profit of prosperous and bountiful trade.

This history is quite opposite from that of Japan. “Japan is the land of the rising sun; China is the land of the setting sun.” For seven years, the Japanese refused to become subordinate to China in any way. Or rather Japan did hold a place as a retainer for China at some point, but it did not last long. Ryukyu maintained this status for over 450 years.

This could simply be the destiny of the small island country. To oppose a superpower right across the sea would be futile. Maybe it is exactly because they understood this idea that the country of Ryukyu worked so hard to improve their knowledge of diplomacy and maintain peace so as to not stir the pot. However, the invasion of the Satsuma regime in the 17th century complicated this situation. Ryukyu was stuck between the two feuding nations of Japan and China.

From here, we will delve further into the details of the Satsuma Invasion.