The Ryukyu Islands, chief of which is Okinawa, had been independent for many centuries before coming under Japanese rule in 1879. Prior to the 15th century, Okinawa was divided into three kingdoms: Hokuzan, Chuzan and Nanzan. In the 15th century, the Kingdom of Chuzan (in central Okinawa) under the Sho Dynasty conquered the entire island, thus unifying it under its rule for over 450 years. The anji were the nobility of Ryukyu.
The Sho lineage survives to this present day, with Sho Mamoru as head of the house and senior direct descendant of the last king Sho Tai.
After WWII the islands were occupied by American forces, but returned to Japanese rule in 1972. The Okinawans are a culturally distinct group, seen as an intermediary between Chinese and Japanese historically.
The Sho lineage survives to this present day, with Sho Mamoru as head of the house and senior direct descendant of the last king Sho Tai.
After WWII the islands were occupied by American forces, but returned to Japanese rule in 1972. The Okinawans are a culturally distinct group, seen as an intermediary between Chinese and Japanese historically.
