glossy glass flag of ryūkyu kingdom independent 1429 1609; vassal of satsuma 1609; annexed to japan 1879

1609 1872 19211926 after amami annexed asia became central china despite domain east empire extended facto flag glass glossy imperial independence independent invasion island islands japan jure kingdom maritime medieval ming monarchy networks okinawa period played republic retained rif ruled ryukyu ryukyuan ryūkyu ryūkyū sakishima sanzan satsuma southeast state trade transformed tributary unified until vassal who