Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents vii
3. Acknowledgments ix
4. Abbreviations and Conventions xi
5. Introduction 1
6. PART I. Ryukyu’s Network, 1050–1470
7. Chapter 1: Ryukyu in the East China Sea Network 15
8. Chapter 2: Wakō and the Ryukyu Islands 36
9. Chapter 3: A State for Trade Purposes 60
10. Chapter 4: The Enigma of the Three Principalities 77
11. Chapter 5: Geographies of Power 90
12. PART II. Dynastic Turbulence, 1400–1600
13. Chapter 6: The First Shō Dynasty 107
14. Chapter 7: Seizures, Erasures, and Resurgences 122
15. Chapter 8: The Second Shō Dynasty’s Challenges 134
16. Chapter 9: Assembling a Royal Line 148
17. PART III. Wakō to Kings, 1477–1556
18. Chapter 10: Centering Shuri and Forging an Empire 161
19. Chapter 11: The Ryukyu Empire 178
20. Chapter 12: Politics and Religion 193
21. PART IV. The New Order, 1550–1650
22. Chapter 13: A Changing World and the Road to War 205
23. Chapter 14: The War 224
24. Chapter 15: Aftermath 235
25. Chapter 16: Many Ryukyus 245
26. Notes 255
27. Bibliography 281
28. Index 293
29. About the Author 305