Japan / Ryukyu Islands: King Sho Iku (1829 - 1847) 18th ruler of the Ryukyu Second Sho Dynasty (1429 - 1879). Portrait by Mo Choki (1806-1865), 1852

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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