Yeah, I can't really see Japan being any morally better or worse than any other colonial power of the time. If there comes the need for a large scale cash crop, some system of indentured servitude is likely to emerge.
Nobunaga’s Ambition Realized: Dawn of a New Rising Sun
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If they're doing anything other than relatively non competitive, intra state trade they'd need the volume, so some sort of indenturement makes sense. If anything I think the ppl would try to keep the workers alive bc they'd become tomorrow's neighbours at least in the colonised regions.
Chapter 95: A History of the Ryukyu Kingdom
Chapter 95: A History of the Ryukyu Kingdom
Sandwiched between the Japanese home islands and the island of Bireitō was the Ryukyu Kingdom, an independent polity and Ming tributary that managed to retain its sovereignty after Japan became a Ming tributary in 1607 and agreed to refrain from all expansionist moves on the archipelago. Nevertheless, their sheer proximity to Japan on all sides made them an integral part of the outer Japanese economy while maintaining their independence and unique diplomatic relations with China, Joseon, and other powers. This was reflected in their culture, which managed to keep many indigenous characteristics while also absorbing Japanese, Chinese, and even Southeast Asian influences.
Ryukyu’s king Sho Nei would oversee this arrangement being agreed upon between Ming China and Oda Japan and his rule would see precedents established in how the kingdom would move ahead in its affairs balancing the influence and interests of the two realms. Although the king would choose to maintain relational distance with Azuchi itself, Sho Nei eagerly pursued trade relations with the daimyo of Kyushu, especially with the Shimazu and Ryuzōji clans. At the same time, the kingdom prioritized close ties with Beijing, who were seen as saviors of Ryukyu to some extent. As a result of this political decision, Chinese merchants would establish a long-term advantage over Japanese traders in the kingdom at a time when Japanese trade expansionism began to displace Ming trade power in Southeast Asia. This advantage could even be seen with the fact that Ming coinage was formally adopted by the kingdom as its official currency, with Japanese coinage only used informally or illegally. Sho Nei would also preside over the commencement of Ryukyu-European relations, with both the Portuguese and Dutch visiting the kingdom’s capital of Shuri and signing trade agreements with the king’s government in 1611 and 1616 respectively.
Ryukyu’s king Sho Nei would oversee this arrangement being agreed upon between Ming China and Oda Japan and his rule would see precedents established in how the kingdom would move ahead in its affairs balancing the influence and interests of the two realms. Although the king would choose to maintain relational distance with Azuchi itself, Sho Nei eagerly pursued trade relations with the daimyo of Kyushu, especially with the Shimazu and Ryuzōji clans. At the same time, the kingdom prioritized close ties with Beijing, who were seen as saviors of Ryukyu to some extent. As a result of this political decision, Chinese merchants would establish a long-term advantage over Japanese traders in the kingdom at a time when Japanese trade expansionism began to displace Ming trade power in Southeast Asia. This advantage could even be seen with the fact that Ming coinage was formally adopted by the kingdom as its official currency, with Japanese coinage only used informally or illegally. Sho Nei would also preside over the commencement of Ryukyu-European relations, with both the Portuguese and Dutch visiting the kingdom’s capital of Shuri and signing trade agreements with the king’s government in 1611 and 1616 respectively.
Ceremonial depiction of King Sho Nei
Sho Nei passed away in 1620 and was succeeded by his Sho Ho, who would be known in history as the “Sugar King''. This was because his rule saw the beginning of sugarcane agriculture in the archipelago and Ryukyu’s biggest industry today. Introduced in 1623, the plant quickly caught on and Sho Ho’s government would begin supporting it as a cash crop within a few years grown by families and independent farmers. Its proximity meant that it found eager markets all across East Asia. Even when Bireitō saw similar sugarcane agriculture emerge, Ryukyu’s head start gave it an advantage in terms of experience and efficiency in production. Under his rule, Sho Ho was able to increase the number of tribute missions to the Ming imperial court. It was also during his reign that the Omoro O-Saushi, a collection of 1,144 ancient songs and poems from Okinawa Island and the Amami Islands, was finished being compiled in 1623. For its deep display of indigenous Ryukyuan culture, the Omoro O-Saushi is considered one of the signature artistic achievements in the kingdom during the 17th century.
Sho Ho’s heir, Sho Ken would reign for only a couple years before he passed away in 1647 at just 22. His younger brother, Sho Shitsu, would ascend to the throne and would have little time before facing a host of new issues. Firstly, Ryukyu’s sugar exports began to face serious competition from those from Japan, with the kingdom unable to back its sugar production with a sizable labor pool. To address the competition over sugar, the government would directly get involved in the output of sugar farmers, gearing production towards the principle of quality over quantity to contrast with other sugar products. The application of that principle would lead to the development of kokuto black sugar, Ryukyu’s most famous export today. Sho Shitsu would also initiate new agreements with European trade companies and Southeast Asian nations to increase the span of their exports. This action, however, only fed another growing issue, which was the fact that European trading companies operating in Shuri increasingly accrued economic and political influence in the realm. In particular, the Dutch East India Company asserted its dominance among the numerous interested European powers the same way it was able to in many other parts of Asia. In reaction to this, many native aristocrats began to resent the merchants as well as their king, whom they felt enabled the Europeans. Sadly for these dissatisfied aristocrats, Sho Shitsu would not address this issue during his reign and the problem would be kicked down the line. He would, however, compile the Chuzan Seikan, a work detailing the kingdom’s official history for the first time ever.
Kokuto black sugar
Although Shuri remained the distinct administrative capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom, the port city of Naha would become the socioeconomic heart of the archipelago and even a booming trading hub on its own as the century progressed and commerce continued to pump the life blood of the kingdom. The kingdom was always a maritime polity with long-lasting trade relationships all over Asia and as a result attracted much commercial activity. This became even more pronounced in the 17th century through not only expanded relations with existing trade partners but new ones, particularly with Europe. Naha would occupy the entirety of Ukishima, a small island off the coasts of Okinawa Island, resulting in the island being renamed Nahatou. Existing Japanese and Chinese communities would expand in size and significance, while a new quarter would pop up where the Portuguese, Dutch, and other Europeans largely operated from. The Naha Oyamise, the port’s central open air marketplace, would even evolve into a tall pagoda with multiple floors accommodating ever more economic exchanges under the purview of Shuri, although the character of the original marketplace was preserved on the 1st and biggest floor.
The history of the Ryukyu kingdom through the early and middle parts of the 17th century is best described as a time when the archipelago effectively maneuvered through the often complex sociopolitical currents to preserve its independence while benefiting from the growing power and influence of its neighbors. Amidst the rivalries and political agendas of its trading partners from Ming China to the Dutch East India Company, the kingdom and Naha especially remained a neutral space where merchants could operate and bring Ryukyu’s prized goods to other destinations. Whether this would last remained to be seen.
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I am very much looking forward to Ryukyu finally being annexed by Japan. It MUST happen. It's a canon event.
That Kokuto black sugar looks good enough to eat on its own.
Japan has to. They can't let any European power get a base so close.
Does that imply Ryukyu is still independent to some extent? or that it was kept as a single province rather then split between Okinawa and Kagoshima Prefecture‘s?
Ryukyu becomes the champion underdog and conquers Japan, putting their own dynasty on the throne.
Shō Ken: Amamikyu called, she wants the land of the sun in her domain now.
Might be an interesting time line idea. Ryukyu Unites Japan during the Sengoku period.
I like to call it "Japan gets a Whack on the Head by Ryukyu about Over 9000 Times".Shō's Ambition Realized?
It would take ASB level involvement to get Ryukyu to even attempt it. Maybe an Self insert.Shō's Ambition Realized?
That’s about as many battles and other actions it will take to conquer and pacify Japan.
Yeah tbf a Ryukku with no foreign policy and army but internal self rule would be the best for the ryukus I think. Basically, the kings of the Ryukyu under the rule of the Japanese emperors.
John Fredrick Parker
Donor
More seriously, it’ll be interesting to see how well Ryukku maintains their independence here; having a stronger Japan next door and the Dutch looking for new opportunities certainly isn’t helping, and I wonder how much help the Ming are going to be for them as we go further down the line.
Which is why I think the ryukyus just joining as a unit instead of being split between rival clans would be for the best.