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| @Okinawa was called the Ryukyus in ancient times. The name
changed from the Ryukyus to Okinawa with the establishment of
the prefectural system in 1879. Human habitation of Okinawa
began tens of thousands of years ago. The islands of Okinawa,
despite their small size, have seen many events over their long
span of history. To easier understand this history, we have
here divided it into five periods. |
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| @The period tens of thousands of years ago up until the 12th
century can be termed prehistoric in Okinawa. During this time,
the basis of Okinawan history was created under influences from
the neighboring countries of Asia. The trend toward political
unification of the islands began with the establishment of the
independent Ryukyu Kingdom in 1429. It was then that flourishing
exchanges with China and Asia began and through this experience,
various areas of culture were cultivated. However, due to the
invasion by Satsuma in 1609, the Ryukyu Kingdom came under domination
of the Japanese shogun and the Shimazu clan from Satsuma. The
period before the invasion is referred to as the Ancient Ryukyus
era. Under Shogunate administration, the Ryukyu Kingdom was
able to maintain titular sovereignty but became subordinate
in actuality. None the less, this period saw a great flowering
of Ryukyuan culture and performing arts. The latter half of
the kingdom era is referred to as the Later Period Ryukyus. |
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| @Finally, as Japan shifted from a feudalistic state to a modern
nation, the Ryukyu Kingdom was abolished as well. In 1879, it
became Okinawa Prefecture and the islands advanced into the
Modern Okinawa period. This period was by no means prosperous
and many emigrated overseas. With the outbreak of WWII, Okinawa
became the location of fierce land battles. This period is called
the Battle of Okinawa. As Japan was defeated in WWII, the islands
of Okinawa were separated from Japanese society and were place
under the direct control of the America. This was the start
of the Okinawa Postwar era. In this period, the American military
began building vast bases on the islands. The U.S. rule lasted
27 years during which the residents demanded a return to Japanese
sovereignty. This became a reality in 1972 with the reversion.
And that brings us to the present time. The postwar period in
Okinawa is divided into the period of American rule and the
Post reversion era. As Okinawa has the historical distinction
of having gradually become a part of Japanese society, it is
a prefecture like no other in Japan. This is a conspicuous regional
characteristic of Okinawa. |
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