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Ryukyu's Tribute Mission to the Ming Dynasty

Type Event Region Ryukyu Time 1415

In 1415, Shō Hashi of unified Ryukyu sent envoys to the Yongle court, formally establishing a tributary relationship that brought Ming investiture an…

Timeline

  1. 1415Shuri Castle · Ryukyu KingdomShō Hashi, who had unified the Three Mountains and founded the Ryukyu Kingdom, prepared an embassy to the Ming at Shuri Castle, carrying tribute such as sulfur and pepper. Ryukyu sought Ming recognition of its unification and legitimate trading status.
  2. 1415Nanjing · Ming dynastyRyukyu's mission reached Nanjing in the Ming dynasty and presented tribute to the Yongle Emperor. The Ming accepted the tribute and invested Shō Hashi as King of Ryukyu, granting robes, caps, and a seal. The two sides formally established a suzerain-vassal relationship, and Ryukyu thereafter sent tribute regularly.

Sources