Many rituals were held in the palace gardens surrounded by the Nanden, Hokuden, and Seiden. Amongst these, the most important festival is the traditional New Year’s celebration, “Asa Chohai Okishiki.”

At 4 AM, a soft melody springs forth from the Okinawan Pīrarurā instrument. This signals the taiko drums, which start playing their beat as the imperial family and officials, dressed in their traditional robes, start to gather in the garden. Dressed in purples, reds, yellows, and blues, the orderly concession of officials paint the garden with color. By 10 AM the garden grounds are filled with people. Carrying giant parasols, the imperial family starts to make their way from the garden to the Seiden. As they do so, they stop and turn in the direction of the forbidden city and bow. On this day, residents of the island come from all over to offer their prayers. As the people come in and out throughout the day, the Imperial family would look down from the Karahafu ornamentation on the second floor of the Seiden.

The red and white border line and tile design were meant to be a sign to keep the people organized. In the center lies a path called “Ukimichi” which floats 15 cm above the ground. Ukimichi was for royalty to walk across, and was considered so holy that not even government officials could walk across it.

You may notice it is not resting at a 90 degree angle from the Seiden, but rather is slightly shifted at an 80 degree angle. Why would they build this diagonally? If you take a look beyond the Ukimichi you might understand the reason. Opposite the Seiden is Suimui Utaki. Ukimichi may just have been the path connecting the “deities” of the royal family, and the deities that rest in the utaki.

What kind of ceremony was held when the envoys arrived?

──A large boat appears over the horizon at Naha Port. Gunshots sound in the air and masses crowd around the port. As the boats dock in the bay, envoys from China start to file out. A total of over 500 people. They lead a parade to Shuri Castle from the port. From Shureimon they would pass through Kankai-mon, Zuisen-mon, Roukoku-mon, Koufuku-mon, and Houshin-mon until they finally reached the plaza and the main ceremony begins. The envoys read forth a letter from the Chinese Emperor stating “I appoint you as King,” and the king would bow to accept this. Then, a great feast would be held. Following the feast, the entertainment is announced. The Ryukyuans put everything they had into hosting the envoys.


However, this is not to say that Ryukyu was dependent on China as a country. As long as they held a feeling of courtesy and gratitude, they could go about their politics with no intervention. More than that, Ryukyu was bestowed with goods from the Chinese that values twice as much as their collateral goods and they were also protected by the Chinese military. Ryukyu knew very well the benefits of maintaining their relationship with China.