Japan / Ryukyu Islands: Detail of a scroll painting depicting the Kingdom of Ryukyu's embassy to the Japanese Court at Edo in 1710 during the reign of King Sho Eki (1710-1712), 18th ruler of the Ryukyu Second Sho Dynasty

The Ryukyu Kingdom (historical English name: Lewchew, Luchu, or Loochoo) was an independent kingdom that ruled most of the Ryukyu Islands from the 15th to the 19th century. The kings of Ryukyu unified Okinawa Island and extended the kingdom to the Amami Islands in modern-day Kagoshima Prefecture, and the Sakishima Islands near Taiwan.

Despite its small size, the kingdom played a central role in the maritime trade networks of medieval East and Southeast Asia.

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Pictures From History