Shō Hashi facts for kids

Shō Hashi (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)) was a very important leader in the history of the Ryukyu Islands. He was the last king of Chūzan, one of the three main kingdoms on Okinawa Island. But he didn't stop there! He became the first king of the entire Ryukyu Kingdom by bringing all three kingdoms – Chūzan, Hokuzan, and Nanzan – together. This ended a time known as the Sanzan period, which means "Three Mountains" period.

Meet Shō Hashi's Family

• Father: Shishō
• Mother: Daughter of Miiko
• Wife: Sister of Inami Ryoji
• Children:
  • Hirata Sashiki
  • Shō Chū
  • Sho Nankijin
  • Seiji Yasuji
  • Sho Kinpuku
  • Sho Furi
  • Sho Taikyu
  • Maeda Ajinosuke

Shō Hashi's Rise to Power

Early Leadership and Changes

Shō Hashi started as the local lord, called an aji, of Sashiki Magiri. People saw him as a smart and well-liked leader. He became more and more important around the early 1400s.

In 1402, he led a small fight against the lord of Azato district. Some historians think this fight was actually against the nearby Ōzato Castle.

Becoming the Real Power

Hashi then took over from Chief Bunei of Chūzan in 1404. He put his own father, Shō Shishō, on the throne. Even with his father as chief, Hashi was the one who held the true power.

He quickly sent messengers to Nanking in China. The Ryukyu kingdoms were tributaries to China, meaning they sent gifts and showed respect. Hashi wanted to make sure China knew Chūzan would continue to cooperate and be friends.

Modernizing the Kingdom

Shō Hashi also updated how the kingdom was run. He made its government more like the Chinese system. The people of Chūzan quickly started using many parts of Chinese culture. This made them seem more "civilized" to the Chinese.

Hashi also made Shuri Castle bigger and more beautiful. He also put up special markers all over the land. These markers showed the distance to Shuri, the capital city.

Uniting the Ryukyu Islands

Conquering Hokuzan

Meanwhile, Hokuzan was a kingdom to the north. It wasn't as strong as Chūzan in money or power. But Hashi saw their main castle, Nakijin Castle, as a military threat.

In 1419, he got his chance. Three local lords from Hokuzan joined his side. Hashi led his father's army and quickly took over Nakijin with a series of attacks.

Becoming King of Ryukyu

A year after his father died in 1421, Hashi asked the Chinese emperor for official recognition. He received it soon after. Even though Ryukyu was independent, this practice of asking China for approval continued for a long time.

In 1428, the Xuande Emperor gave Hashi the family name Shang (which is Shō in Japanese). The emperor also gave him a new title: Liuqiu Wang (琉球王), which means King of Ryukyu. Hashi's messenger returned with a special ceremonial dragon robe and a lacquer tablet. This tablet had the word Chūzan written on it.

Chūzan gate at Shuri Castle. This gate displayed the "Chūzan" tablet given to Shō Hashi by the Xuande Emperor.

This Chūzan tablet was put on display at the Chūzan gate in front of Shuri Castle. It stayed there until the early 1900s.

Founding the Ryukyu Kingdom

Hashi became the chief of Chūzan in 1422, after his father's death. He made his younger brother the Warden of Hokuzan. Then, in 1429, he captured Nanzan Castle, the capital of Nanzan, from Lord Taromai.

By doing this, he united the entire island of Okinawa. He then founded the Ryukyu Kingdom and started the First Shō dynasty.

Shō Hashi's Legacy

Strengthening the Kingdom

Before Hashi, the three kingdoms had a simple feudal system. Farmers grew food for themselves and paid taxes to their local lords (aji). These lords then paid taxes to their chief.

Shō Hashi didn't change this system completely. Instead, he made it stronger as part of his plan to unite the islands. He made sure that all the local lords owed their loyalty to his royal government in Shuri.

Boosting Trade and Culture

Hashi also greatly increased trade, especially with China. He sent messengers to other Asian countries too. We still have records today about his missions to Ayutthaya, the capital of Siam at that time, to solve trade problems.

Shō Hashi knew how important trade was for Ryukyu to do well. He strongly encouraged it. He even ordered a bell to be made and put in Shuri Castle. On the bell, it said: "Ships are means of communication with all nations; the country is full of rare products and precious treasures."

Through this trade, friendly relations with other countries, and the strong unity he created, Ryukyu took in many foreign ideas. These ideas helped shape its unique culture. For example, kings and high officials wore Chinese ceremonial robes when meeting Chinese officials. The custom of noble people wearing two swords came from Japan. And the music and dance became a mix of native, Japanese, Chinese, and Southeast Asian styles.

The End of an Era

Shō Hashi died in 1439, when he was 68 years old. He had successfully united Ryukyu and made it a small but recognized power in the region.

After his death, the court chose his second son, Shō Chū, to be the next king. They sent messengers to the Chinese court to ask for their approval. They also sent diplomatic missions to the Japanese Shōgun in Kyoto and to other kingdoms.

See also

In Spanish: Shō Hashi para niños

• Foreign relations of Imperial China
• Imperial Chinese missions to the Ryukyu Kingdom