Genealogy of the Bu-family 武姓家譜, otherwise known as the Kayō-family 嘉陽家

This is about the family line where Matsumura Sōkon came from. Originally written in January 2006, and also published in my KARATE 1.0 (2013).

In 1719, Matsumura Sokon’s ancestors handed in a petition for recognition of their genealogy by the Bureau of Genealogies, which was granted. Most genealogies of Okinawa came into being around that time. In Matsumura’s case, the genealogy goes back to Lord Esu, who lived almost 300 years earlier. It took place as follows.

In the time of King Shō Kei (rg 1713-1751), on the 28th day of the 1st month of 1719, a petition (sōsei 奏請) was forwarded to the Bureau of Genealogies, asking for recognition of Esu Anji (16th c.) as the progenitor of the Bu clan (House Kayō). The petition was prepared by Zayasu Okite Pēchin (i.e. Kayō Sō’ei, 3rd generation descendant of Esu Anji) and Kobashigawa Okite Pēchin (i.e, Kayō Sōmo, 4th generation descendant). The petition placed emphasis on the importance of the clan’s ancestors and the family history.

The main forwarder of the petition were:

  • Kayō Chikudun 嘉陽筑登之 
  • Kayō Chikudun Pēchin 嘉陽筑登之親雲上 
  • Majikina Chikudun Pēchin 真境名筑登之親雲上 
  • Kayō Chikudun Pēchin 嘉陽筑登之親雲上
  • Nagahama Pēchin 長濱親雲上
  • Okubara Pēchin 奥原親雲上 
  • Majikina Pēchin 真境名親雲上

Additional forwarders were (possibly in connection with other genealogies):

  • Inamine Pēchin 稲嶺親雲上
  • Tomigawa Satonushi Pēchin 冨川里之子親雲上
  • Gisushi Pēchin 宜壽次親雲上
  • Kise Pēchin 喜瀬親雲上
  • Kyan Pēchin 喜屋武親雲上
  • Madanbashi Pēchin 真玉橋親方

The petition was processed in several stages: On the 4th day of the 3rd month of 1719 it was signed by Kakinohana Oyakata, Kochinda Anji, and Kin Ōji, and on the 10th day of the 3rd month of 1719 it was signed and accepted by Izumi Pēchin. In this way, Esu Anji was established as the progenitor of the House of Kayō from the Bu clan. The records show the following entry on this person:

1. Generation:

First name: Esu Anji Sōso 江洲按司宗祖.
Chinese name: Bu Genmin (武源明).
Died in 1472, date of birth unknown.
Posthumous name: Kaiki 開基.
Parents: unknown.
Wife: unknown.
Eldest son: Sōjū 宗從.

After succeeding generations had passed, in the 18th century during the time of the 10th generation of this family, there was a person named Sōshi 宗至. On 1756/08/04 he tied up his topknot (at age 14). On 1768/12/01 he was ranked Chikudun Zashiki. On 1771/12/09 he got granted the yellow Hachimaki, i.e. he was awarded the Pēchin rank.

At the end of the 18th century, while the surname of the family members had been written Kayō 嘉陽 for several generations, the Ka-ideogram (嘉) at this point in time was prohibited from being imparted in personal names. Reason for this was – I assume – that it was part of the era name of the 嘉慶 Jiaqing Emperor (rg 1796-1820), hence it was prohibited for everybody else to use it.

In consequence, the family was ordered to change their name. In 1778/06, the family name of Kayō–as the account states–was changed to Muramatsu 村松, which is vice-versa the writing of Matsumura. Such Kayō Sōshi became Muramatsu Sōshi. He died at age forty and received the posthumous name Shūshin 秀信.

I just found the original PDF while cleaning up my drives.

Biblio:

Okinawa no Rekishi Jōhō, Volume 5. Image and Full Text Character Database (I). 6: “Ryūkyū Genealogies Computerization.” 1: Genealogies of Shuri. Genealogy of the Bu-Family (Kayō-Family); Genealogy of the Bu-Family (traditional).

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