The Ryukyu Islands: Centuries of Chinese Tributary Relations, Then Japanese Annexation

The Ryukyu Islands (including Okinawa) had a deep, centuries-long relationship with China—but were never directly administered as a Chinese province.

Tributary Kingdom (14th–19th Century)

• From 1372, the Ming Dynasty formalized a tributary relationship with the Ryukyu Kingdom.
• Ryukyu sent regular missions to Beijing with tribute (sulphur, horses, crafts); China granted trade privileges, investiture envoys, and cultural exchange.
• Ryukyu adopted Chinese court rituals, calendar, writing, and Confucian bureaucracy—while maintaining its own distinct culture and language.
• This was suzerainty, not sovereignty: Ryukyu remained politically autonomous internally.

Japanese Intrusion (1609 Onward)

• 1609: Satsuma Domain (Kyushu) invaded, forcing Ryukyu into dual subordination—tribute to China, taxes to Satsuma.
• Ryukyu concealed its Japanese ties from China to preserve the lucrative tributary trade.
• 1872: Meiji Japan declared Ryukyu a domain (Ryukyu-han).
• 1879: Formal annexation as Okinawa Prefecture—ending the kingdom, despite Chinese protests.

Post-WWII

• 1945–1972: U.S. military administration.
• 1972: Reverted to Japan. U.S. bases remain.

The Ryukyus were a tributary state of China for 500 years—culturally Sinicized, politically independent—until Japan absorbed them. Today, Okinawan identity blends Ryukyuan, Japanese, and American influences.