What is Ryukyu Kingdom?
[[File:Naha Shuri Castle16s5s3200.jpg|thumb|[[Shuri Castle]] in [[Naha]], [[Okinawa]]]] '''The Ryukyu Kingdom''' is a [[country]] that no longer exists in present-day [[Okinawa]]. Before [[Japan]] took control of it during the [[Meiji Restoration|Meiji Era]], it was an [[Independence|independent]] country with its own [[culture]], [[government]], and [[language]] from 1429 to 1879. Okinawa was a major trading center in [[Asia]], so there are aspects of Chinese, Japanese, and other Asian cultures that were blended into the native Okinawan culture. The name Ryukyu is a [[Transcription (linguistics)|transcription]] of the Chinese name for the region, ''Liuqiu'' (written as 琉球 in Chinese characters). Before the Ryukyu Kingdom was created, Okinawa was made up of three countries: Nanzan, Chuzan, and Hokuzan. Chuzan took over the other two kingdoms, united the three kingdoms, and created the Ryukyu Kingdom. The [[kingdom]] had its own [[dynasty]] of [[King|kings]] and they ruled from [[Shuri Castle]] in the city of Shuri. Although they used to be different cities, [[Shuri]] is now in the northern part of present-day [[Naha]]. [[Category:Okinawa Prefecture]] [[Category:15th century in Japan]] [[Category:Former monarchies of Asia]] {{history-stub}} [[Category:Ryukyu Islands]] [[Category:Ryukyu Kingdom|*]] [[Category:19th century in Japan]]