Administrative divisions of the Ryukyu Kingdom
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Legend:
* Black circles : (mileposts (一里塚, ichirizuka)), drawn on either side of the highway. * The oval frames : color-coded by county, and the village names and rice yields are written inside. * White squares : castle towns, with the place names and the names of the castle lords are written inside.[b]
The administrative divisions of the Ryukyu Kingdom were a hierarchy composed of districts, magiri, or Okinawan: majiri cities, villages, and islands established by the Ryukyu Kingdom throughout the Ryukyu Islands.[2]
Divisions
[edit]There were three districts (方) or hō: Kunigami (国頭), Nakagami (中頭), and Shimajiri (島尻), which roughly correspond to the borders of the three Okinawan kingdoms during the Sanzan period. There were 57 magiri (間切, Okinawan: majiri[3]) throughout the kingdom including the Amami Islands. In concept they were similar to present-day Japanese prefectures, but in size they were closer to Japanese cities, towns and villages. There were four cities: Shuri (首里), Naha (那覇), Tomari (泊), and Kume (久米). They were comparable to Japanese urban prefectures. There were over 600 villages (村, Okinawan: mura[4][5]) throughout the kingdom including the Amami Islands.[c] There were approximately 24 shima (島) or "outlying islands", but only including islands that weren't already part of a magiri.
History
[edit]
The three districts are based on the three kingdoms of Hokuzan, Chūzan, and Nanzan. The origin of the magiri system is unclear, but was solidified by the beginning of the reign of Shō Shin, the third king of the Second Shō Dynasty of the Ryukyu Kingdom who ruled between 1477 and 1526.[7] The magiri were originally controlled by individual aji and oyakata,[5][8] whose ruling area overwrapped in parts.[9] While as the Ryukyu Kingdom centralized at the turn of the 15th century, the aji relocated to the capital of the kingdom at Shuri. After this period the title of aji became symbolic, and low-ranking officials were assigned the day-to-day administration of the magiri.[7]
Each magiri had several villages, sometimes referred to as shima, which represented an administrative unit similar to the mura, or village, in feudal Japan.[9] Each magiri had five to ten villages. Ryukyuan commoners were registered to a particular village, and movement to or from the administrative areas was generally not permitted. Under the system of Shō Shin the central government at Shuri assigned each village a noro priestess to carry out the religious functions of the settlement.[7][10] The area was mapped on the Ryukyu kuni-ezu (琉球國絵図 of 1696 or 9th year of Genroku)[d] was compiled. That made it possible for the first time, to clarify the geopolitical location of ancient place names.[12]
The magiri system continued to varying degrees in the Amami Islands even after they were ceded to Satsuma Domain in 1624. On Okinawa Island, there were 27 magiri at the turn of the 17th century, but by the 19th century Misato, Kushi, Motobu, Ginowan, Oroku, Onna, Ōgimi, and Yonagusuku were created, bringing the total to 35. The magiri system continued after the end of the Ryukyu Kingdom and annexation of the islands by Japan in 1879.[13] In 1907, under Imperial Edict 46, the Japanese administrative system of cities, towns, and village organization was extended to Okinawa.[2] The magiri system was officially abolished on April 1, 1908.[7]
List of magiri
[edit]The following is a list of magiri by district:
Kunigami District
[edit]Kunigami District (国頭方, Kunigami-hō, Okinawan: Kunjan-hō), also known as Okinawan: Yanbaru[14] and Kunigami[15] or Hokuzan-fu (北山府) in Kanbun,[16] roughly correspond to the territory of Hokuzan during the Sanzan period.
| Area | Name | Kanji | Okinawan name | present-day | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Kunigami | 国頭間切 | Kunjan | Kunigami | |
| Ōgimi | 大宜味間切 | Wujimi | Ōgimi | established in 1673; changed name from Taminato (田港) in 1695 | |
| Iheya | 伊平屋間切 | Ihya | Iheya, Izena | ||
| Haneji | 羽地間切 | Haniji | Nago (Haneji area, Yagaji area) | ||
| Nakijin | 今帰仁間切 | Nachijin | Nakijin | ||
| Motobu | 本部間切 | Mutubu | Motobu | established in 1666; changed name from Inoha (伊野波) in 1667 | |
| Nago | 名護間切 | Nagu | Nago, excluding Haneji and Yagaji areas | ||
| Kushi | 久志間切 | Kushi | Higashi and part of Nago | established in 1673 | |
| Kin | 金武間切 | Chin | Kin, Ginoza | ||
| Southern Amami Islands | Erabu | 永良部間切 | Irabu | China, Wadomari, (Kagoshima Prefecture | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom |
| Yoron | 与論間切 | Yunnu | Yoron |
Nakagami District
[edit]Nakagami District (中頭方, Nakagami-hō, also known as Okinawan: Wiikata)[17] or Chūzan-fu (中山府) in Kanbun,[16] roughly correspond to the territory of Chūzan during the Sanzan period.
| Area | Name | Kanji | Okinawan name | present-day | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Onna | 恩納間切 | Unna | Onna | established in 1673 |
| Yomitanzan | 読谷山間切 | Yuntanja | Yomitan | ||
| Goeku | 越来間切 | Gwiiku | Okinawa City | ||
| Misato | 美里間切 | Njatu | Okinawa City, Uruma (Ishikawa Area) | established in 1666 | |
| Gushikawa | 具志川間切 | Gushichaa | Uruma (Gushikawa area) | ||
| Katsuren | 勝連間切 | Kacchan | Uruma (Katsuren area) | ||
| Yonashiro | 与那城間切 | Yunagushiku | Uruma (Yonashiro area) | established with the name Nishihara (西原) in 1676; changed name to Hirata (平田) in the same year; finally changed to Yonashiro in 1687. | |
| Nishihara | 西原間切 | Nishibaru | Nishihara | ||
| Chatan | 北谷間切 | Chatan | Chatan, Kadena, part of Okinawa City | ||
| Nakagusuku | 中城間切 | Nakagushiku | present Nakagusuku, Kita-Nakagusuku, Uruma (Tsuken Island) | ||
| Ginowan | 宜野湾間切 | Jinōn | present-day Ginowan | established in 1671 | |
| Urasoe | 浦添間切 | Urashii | Urasoe | ||
| Nakazato | 仲里間切 | Nakajatu | Kumejima (Nakazato area) | ||
| Uezu | 上江洲間切 | Wiiji | Kumejima (Gushikawa area) | ||
| Four cities (not included in magiri) |
Tomari | 泊 | Tumai | Naha (northern area of Naha) | |
| Naha | 那覇 | Nafa, Nafaa | Naha (southern area of Naha), Tokashiki, Zamami | contains 4 towns (町, machi): Wakasa-machi (若狭町, Okinawan: Wakasa-machi), Higashi-machi (東町, Okinawan: Figashi-machi), Nishi-machi (西町, Okinawan: Nishi-machi) and Izumizaki (泉崎, Okinawan: Ijunjachi)[18] | |
| Kume | 久米 | Kuninda | Naha (Kume area) | community of Thirty-six families from Min. full name: Kumemura (久米村) Chinese name: Táng íng (唐營) before 1650; Táng róng (唐榮) since 1650 | |
| Shuri Mihira | 首里三平等 | Sui Mifira | Naha (Shuri area, Mawashi area), Nishihara, Haebaru) | contains Shuri Castle and 3 hira (平等, Okinawan: fira): Mawashi no hira (真和志之平等, Okinawan: Maaji nu fira), Hae no hira (南風之平等, Okinawan: Fee nu fira) and Nishi no hira (西之平等, Okinawan: Nishi nu fira)[19] |
Shimajiri District
[edit]Shimajiri District (島尻方, Shimajiri-hō, also known as Okinawan: Shimukata)[20] or Nanzan-fu (南山府) in Kanbun,[16] roughly correspond to the territory of Nanzan during the Sanzan period.
| Area | Name | Kanji | Okinawan name | present-day | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Tomigusuku | 豊見城間切 | Tumigushiku | Tomigusuku | |
| Oroku | 小禄間切 | Uruku | Naha (Oroku area) | established in 1672 | |
| Takamine | 高嶺間切 | Takanmi | Itoman (excluding Kyan and Mabuni areas) | changed name from Shimajiriōzato (島尻大里) in 1667 | |
| Kyan | 喜屋武間切 | Chan | Itoman (Kyan area) | ||
| Mabuni | 摩文仁間切 | Mabuni | Itoman (Mabuni area) | ||
| Makabe | 真壁間切 | Makabi | Itoman (Makabe area) | ||
| Kanegusuku | 兼城間切 | Kanigushiku | Itoman (Kanegusuku area) | also known as Okinawan: Shimajirikanegusuku | |
| Kochinda | 東風平間切 | Kuchinda | Yaese (Kochinda area) | ||
| Gushichan | 具志頭間切 | Gushichan | Yaese (Gushichan area) | ||
| Ōzato | 大里間切 | Ufuzatu | Nanjō (Ōzato area), Yonabaru) | changed name from Shimazoeōzato (島添大里) in 1667 | |
| Sashiki | 佐敷間切 | Sashichi | Nanjō (Sashiki area, Chinen area) | ||
| Tamagusuku | 玉城間切 | Tamagushiku | Nanjō (Tamagusuku area) |
Sakishima Islands
[edit]| Area | Name | Kanji | Okinawan name | present-day | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miyako Islands | Hirara | 平良間切 | Teera | Miyakojima (Hirara area) | |
| Shimoji | 下地間切 | Shimuji | Miyakojima (Shimoji area, Ueno area) | ||
| Sunakawa | 砂川間切 | Shinachaa | Miyakojima (Gusukube area) | ||
| Yaeyama Islands | Ōhama | 大浜間切 | Ufuhama | Ishigaki | |
| Miyara | 宮良間切 | Myaara | Ishigaki | ||
| Ishigaki | 石垣間切 | Ishigachi | Ishigaki |
Northern Amami Islands
[edit]| Area | Name | Kanji | Okinawan name | present-day | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amami Ōshima | Kasari | 笠利間切 | Amami (Kasari area) | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom | |
| Komi | 古見間切 | Tatsugō, Amami | |||
| Naze | 名瀬間切 | Yamato, Amami | |||
| Yakiuchi | 焼内間切 | Yamato, Uken | |||
| Sumiyō | 住用間切 | Amami (Sumiyō area) | |||
| Nishikata | 西方間切 | Setouchi | |||
| Higashikata | 東方間切 | Setouchi | |||
| Kikaijima | Shidooke | 志戸桶間切 | Kikai (Shidooke area) | ||
| Higa | 東間切 | Kikai (Sōmachi area) | |||
| Isago | 伊砂間切 | Kikai (Isago area) | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom established in 1693 | ||
| Nishime | 西目間切 | Kikai (Nishime area) | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom | ||
| Wan | 湾間切 | Kikai (Wan area) | |||
| Araki | 荒木間切 | Kikai (Araki area) | |||
| Tokunoshima | Higashi | 東間切 | Tokunoshima | ||
| Omonawa | 面縄間切 | Unnō | Isen | ||
| Nishime | 西目間切 | Amagi |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Mountains, rivers, roads, etc. are depicted at a scale of 6 sun (寸, Cun (unit)) (1.193 inch) to one Li
- ^ The National Archives of Japan has eight of the original Genroku Maps and eight copies in storage (omitted), along with 83 sheets of the Tempō Kuni Ezu Maps for the whole country (119 if duplicates are included); those 85 volumes of the Tempō Registry (Tempo Gocho, Tempō Gōchō), or the Registry of the Residents recorded the rice yield (石高, kokudaka) of each village in each province, from Matsumae Island to the Ryukyu Islands.[1][1]
- ^ As there is no topographical maps from the Sanzan period discovered, the division of the area is based on archaeological and historical considerations.[6]。
- ^ There are three Ryukyu Kingdom maps for Oshima Island (312 by 597 centimetres or 123 by 235 inches), Yaeyama Island (261 centimetres (103 in) by 589 centimetres (232 in)), and Okinawa Island (305 centimetres (120 in) by 584 centimetres (230 in)).[11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Genroku Map of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Okinawa Island (元禄国絵図琉球国沖縄島, Genroku-kuni-ezu Ryūkyūkoku Okinawa-jima)"元禄国絵図琉球国沖縄島 [Genroku Map of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Okinawa Island]". Digital Archives (in Japanese). National Archives of Japan | the Independent Administrative Institution. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
The name written at the end of the rice yield entry reveals that the maps were created by the Satsuma Domain (Matsudaira Satsuma no Kami). Those maps along with the registries were designated as the Important Cultural Properties of Japan in 1983.
- ^ a b "間切" [Magiri]. Nihon Kokugo Daijiten (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2013. OCLC 56431036. Archived from the original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
- ^ "goi-shōsai — Shuri / Naha hōgen [Vocabulary details — Shuri and Naha dialects]". ryukyu-lang.lib.u-ryukyu.ac.jp. Retrieved 2020-03-14.
- ^ "ムラ [mura]". Shuri – Naha hōgen dētabēsu [The database of the Shuri – Naha Dialects] (in Japanese).[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b 大宜味村教育委員会 [Ogimi Village Board of Education]. "Ōgimi-son bunkazai kisochōsa oyobi rekishi bunka kihonhōshin sakutei jigyō hōkokusho [Project Report: Basic Survey for Cultural Property in Ogimi Village along with the Formulation of the Basic Policy for History and Culture]" (PDF) (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
- ^ "Yobi chishiki". Digital Archives of Rare Materials. Okinawa Prefectural Library. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
- ^ a b c d "間切" [Magiri]. Kokushi Daijiten (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2013. OCLC 683276033. Archived from the original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
- ^ "Itoman no ayumi [The history of Itoman ]". Itoman City. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
- ^ a b Nakae, Jun'ichi (1974). "Meiji zenki okinawa hōken-nōgyō no kōsei". Tochi seido shigaku (in Japanese). 16 (3). Seiji keizaigaku - Keizaishi gakkai: 43–53. doi:10.20633/tochiseido.16.3_43.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link) - ^ Takara, Kurayoshi (Winter 1994–1995). "King and Priestess: Spiritual and Political Power in Ancient Ryukyu" (PDF). The Ryukyuanist (27). Naha, Okinawa Prefecture: International Society of Ryukyuan Studies: 1–2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
- ^ 元禄国絵図（読み）げんろく くにえずKotobank (ed.). "Genroku kuni-ezu". Genroku kuni-ezu (元禄国絵図). Nihon rekishi chimei taikei (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-07-21.
Originals saved at: Cabinet Library, National Archives of Japan, and the Historiographical Institute of the University of Tokyo
- ^ Tana, Sinji; 田名真之 (2014). Nantō chimei-kō : omoro kara Okinawa-shi tanjō made. Okinawa-bunko (in Japanese). Hirugisha.
- ^ "間切り" [Magiri]. Dijitaru Daijisen (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2013. OCLC 56431036. Archived from the original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
- ^ "ヤンバル". Shuri – Naha hōgen dētabēsu [The database of the Shuri – Naha Dialects] (in Japanese).
- ^ "ヤンバル". Nakijin hōgen onsei dētabēsu [Nakijin dialect speech database] (in Japanese).
- ^ a b c Chūzan Seifu, preamble
- ^ Wiikata (ウィーカタ, wiikata)"Wiikata". Shuri – Naha hōgen dētabēsu [The database of the Shuri – Naha Dialects] (in Japanese).
- ^ "ナファユマチ [Nafayu-machi]". Shuri – Naha hōgen dētabēsu [The database of the Shuri – Naha Dialects] (in Japanese).
- ^ "スイミフィラ [Suimi fira]". Shuri – Naha hōgen dētabēsu [The database of the Shuri – Naha Dialects] (in Japanese).
- ^ "シムカタ [Shimukata]". Shuri – Naha hōgen dētabēsu [The database of the Shuri – Naha Dialects] (in Japanese).