Ryukyu Kingdom

Ryukyu Kingdom was a state in Japan (East Asia) that lasted from 1429 to 1879 CE, about 450 years. Its people spoke Japonic languages (Japanese, Ryukyuan).

A maritime kingdom that grew wealthy relaying trade between China, Japan and Southeast Asia. The Satsuma domain invaded in 1609 and made it a vassal while it still paid tribute to China; Japan annexed it as Okinawa in 1879.

See Ryukyu Kingdom on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

1429 to 1879 CE

Duration

450 years

Type

State

Region

Japan, East Asia

Language family

Japonic

Capital

Shuri

Came from

• Sanzan kingdoms of Okinawa c. 1314 to 1429 CE

Events in East Asia during its time

• 1446 Hangul proclaimed
• 1592 Japanese invasion of Korea
• 1600 Battle of Sekigahara
• 1644 Fall of Beijing
• 1839 First Opium War
• 1853 Perry's black ships
• 1868 Meiji Restoration

Neighbours in East Asia

• Ming dynasty 1368 to 1644 CE
• Qing dynasty 1636 to 1912 CE
• Empire of Japan 1868 to 1947 CE
• Joseon 1392 to 1897 CE
• Ganden Phodrang (Dalai Lama government) 1642 to 1951 CE
• Edo period (Tokugawa shogunate) 1603 to 1868 CE
• Muromachi shogunate 1336 to 1573 CE
• Later Jin 1616 to 1636 CE
• Taiping Heavenly Kingdom 1851 to 1864 CE
• Guge kingdom c. 967 to 1630 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE, Europe
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Europe
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
• Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1700 CE, Central and Southern Africa
• Holy Roman Empire 962 to 1806 CE, Europe
• Ethiopian Empire (Solomonic dynasty) 1270 to 1974 CE, North and West Africa
• Khmer Empire 802 to 1431 CE, Southeast Asia
• Ottoman Empire 1299 to 1922 CE, Europe
• Ottoman Empire 1299 to 1922 CE, Middle East
• Portuguese Empire 1415 to 1999 CE, Europe

Questions