Category Archives: From the Classics…

Kyūyō Vol. XXII, No. 1893: On 1848-03-10 a foreign ship arrived on the ocean surface at Kadekaru village in Nakazato district of Kume Island

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Andreas Quast

On 1848-03-10 a barbarian ship arrived, sailing on the ocean surface at Kadekaru village in a distance of only about 3 miles from that village. Nineteen barbarians (derogative for: foreigners) divided on 3 wooden boats came riding to the seashore. They … Continue reading →

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Kyūyō, Appendix Vol. I, No.6: “Kin Ōku (Mabuni Uēkata Ankō) guards his family from Satsuma battle troops.”

Posted on August 8, 2016 by Andreas Quast

In 1609, Satsuma dispatched an expedition force and attacked our country. The women all were frightened and ran away, hiding in the mountains. Daimyō Shimazu Iehisa had strictly ordered his forces, but Kin Ōku 金応煦 (Mabuni Uēkata Ankō 摩文仁親方安恒) guarded … Continue reading →

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Kyūyō Vol. VIII, No. 609: The “Stone-hall of the Great Sun-Buddha” is built at Nami-no-Ue

Posted on August 8, 2016 by Andreas Quast

In 1524, the holy priest Nisshū 日秀 carefully wrote down the aji letter on stone monument and erected it at the seashore of Nami-no-Ue to inform the people about the meaning of attainment of Buddhahood during life. But since there … Continue reading →

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The craziest Okinawan story you’ve never heard of

Posted on August 8, 2016 by Andreas Quast

The following is the legendary beginning of the annual event called Mūchī ムーチー (餅). The event takes place on December 8 of the lunar calendar, which usually falls into January of the Gregorian calendar. At that time, kids are given … Continue reading →

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005 – The Description of The Ryūkyūan Crew Members (III)

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Andreas Quast

Well, this year [1762] the tribute ship (kaisen) betook to Satsuma in order to carry out Ryūkyū’s annul tribute payment to Satsuma, the preparations for next years tribute payment, as well as this and that. This is the reason why Shiohira … Continue reading →

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Ōshima Hikki – 005 – The Description of The Ryūkyūan Crew Members (II)

Posted on April 24, 2016 by Andreas Quast

Among the sailors are many islanders from Ryūkyū islands other than Okinawa, as well as carpenters, blacksmiths and others. They serve on the ship as craftsmen as a substitute for tribute payments payable by all the various islands. At the … Continue reading →

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Ōshima Hikki – 005 – The Description of The Ryūkyūan Crew Members (I)

Posted on April 23, 2016 by Andreas Quast

Since the House of Shiohira originally served the Sasu-no-soba 鎖の側 (Department of External Affairs), it was a high-ranking family involved in the liaison management with foreign countries. Therefore, still now the family serves as Zashiki officials. In the country of … Continue reading →

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Ōshima Hikki – 004 – The Order of Ryūkyūans Who Drifted Ashore (琉人漂着次第)

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Andreas Quast

Below are given the 52 persons from the country of Ryūkyū who drifted ashore in Ōshima. Given are the duty, the name and rank, and in brackets the origin and the age of the person. Master and servants of Shiohira … Continue reading →

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Ōshima Hikki – 003 – About the Tribute Ship (Kaisen 楷船)

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Andreas Quast

The ship is a tribute cargo ship (kaisen 楷船) in the service of the royal government of Ryūkyū. The products loaded are destined to be landed at the Ryūkyū Kariya 琉球假屋 in Satsuma. At the time when the tribute ship goes to … Continue reading →

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Ōshima Hikki – 002 – The Course of the Ship

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Andreas Quast

On 1762/04/26 a Ryūkyūan tribute ship (kaisen 楷船) bound for Satsuma set sails from Naha harbor towards Unten in northern Okinawa. Unten is about 20 ri 里 [80km] distant from Naha (1 ri = 3,927m). The ship had fifteen sails, … Continue reading →

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