Kingdom of Okinawa - The Venice of Asia DOCUMENTARY

[@KingsandGenerals]

Use code "KINGS" to receive $5 off for your first #Sakuraco box through my link: team.sakura.co/kings-SC2306 or your first #TokyoTreat box through my link: team.tokyotreat.com/kings-TT2306

[@zddxddyddw]

Please make more videos about South American history. 19th and early 20th century South America was full of interesting historical stuff to explore, from the heroes of independence to wars between the different nations to establish the balance of power in the region, to things like conquests the of Chaco and Patagonia, the dreadnought race and the Chaco War in the 1930s.

[@桜菜-m9f]

現代の日本人は、約38,000年前に日本列島に住んでいた人々のDNAを引き継いでいる。 沖縄に住む人々も、当然 同じDNAを持っている。 日本列島は、地域によって文化も違うし、方言もたくさんある。 特に侍のいた時代は、日本を統一するための戦いが日本各地で起こっていた。 日本人同士が殺し合っていた時代を経て、今の日本国がある。 沖縄(琉球)や北海道(アイヌ)だけを特別視して動画にするのは、日本の歴史を知らない人だ。

[@jerryblumenthal8879]

Free Ryukyu from Japanese imperialism.

[@桜菜-m9f]

@@jerryblumenthal8879 沖縄県民は日本国民です。 反日プロパガンダに沖縄を利用しないで下さい。

[@Hlodolog]

As an EU4 player, of course i know Ryukyu well. Especially how it conquered the entire world. Great video as always, though!

[@victornunes900]

The 3 mountains will rise!

[@bigsmoke4592]

i stopped the challenge every time it just literally takes 200 hours or something. nothing beats annihilating russia to 100% and then take 10% of their land lol

[@wildfire9280]

@@bigsmoke4592 Imagine doing that but actually losing 60% of your land. Could not be Sweden.

[@BenitoAndito]

FlorryWorry intensifies

[@mejlaification]

DRRJake filled memmories

[@gleighteen7525]

As a half Ryukyu person, I'm 50% proud of this video.

[@ahealthkit2745]

It's a shame what happened to Ryukyu after ww2. The erasure of culture ranks among the worst possible crimes of humankind.

[@laureane5454]

me too

[@zekeolopwi6642]

Consistency. I like it 👍🏽

[@user-hkkn1kyls6hevb8v]

​@@ahealthkit2745I think Korea and China should be owned by Japan, Because, They were Japan.

[@aztecgoldmontizuma]

If you were an American and only 10% Ryukyu you would be 100% proud of this video XD

[@grimkupid8478]

Well done, I found this to be really informative

[@rikofebri627]

Can you make video when dutch assisted with samurai conquer banda island ?

[@macprog1994]

How do you know that if the ones who lived that are long gone?

[@Curtistopsidae]

Thank you for shining a light on the Ryukyu islands. (You did keep forgetting to say the second Y, but that's the Japanese pronunciation anyway so 🤷‍♂️). They have such a rich history and culture that often gets neglected as some minor corner of Japan because people forget that they were Japan's first colony. They continue to be marginalized by the Japanese government which markets them as a tropical paradise for tourists even as they underfund local services there and use the islands to house US military bases that mainland Japanese don't want near them.

[@marc-antoinemarcoux697]

You know what would be cool ? Having a series on Dai Viet, the Khmer and Champa. I would love to hear more about Dai Viet specifically.

[@mt0881]

Vietnamese history is very interesting definitely underrated

[@nathantallar8967]

Same here, we should know more about ancient and medieval Vietnam 🇻🇳

[@konsta3790]

Actually, since most of the videos from those eras are always American/western perspective, that's an interesting idea

[@traitorfang1416]

aswell as the Thai's of Ayutthaya Kingdom

[@piggyback8367]

SEA's ancient and medieval kingdoms are worth telling.. from Pagan Burmese up north to Majapahit empire of Indonesia

[@justcallmeSheriff]

My wife's grandmother survived the Battle of Okinawa as a child, so I'm glad you did a video about the history of her people. Can't wait for the Philippines video, as my wife's other side of the family endured that Japanese occupation.

[@smashings7523]

My grandmother was also on the island during the battle only being 13 years old

[@reijiropaws6593]

My moms family is from Okinawa and we recently visited the Himeyuri peace museum. What the Japanese troops did was awful and should not be forgotten.. being lied too and being caught in the crossfire I can’t imagine the pain my people went through…

[@wadepsilon01]

Order of dislike by Okinawan residents China >>> U.S. forces in Japan >> Japanese government

[@theawesomeman9821]

During the Korean war, my grandfather hoped to see action since he was a liuetenant, instead the military posted him to a desk job on Okinawa. My grandfather was disappointed but instead of being bitter, he decided to make the most of his tour by befriending the natives and embracing the local culture, which often was surfing on waves, eating sushi, and playing Pong with Saki. After, the war was over, my grandfather was so content with living in Okinawa, that he had his wife join him there from the mainland US. They would end up raising their kids, including my mom there during the Fifties and early Sixties.

[@JTA1961]

Smart man

[@theawesomeman9821]

@@JTA1961 smart indeed

[@weiminglu5331]

When you call Ryukyuan are cousin of Japanese people, you have to ask Governor Tamaki Deni first. It seems to me that he disagrees with the central government on US military station issue fiercely.

[@uchinanju]

colonizers, not cousins! Tamaki speaks for the majority of us Uchinanchu who aren't down with Japanese or US imperialism unlike fascists "looking for action" real friends don't invade your country @@weiminglu5331

[@LeoWarrior14]

Gotta admire the cajones of the Shimazu clan trying to Weekend at Bernie's an entire Kingdom.

[@Mrnewkrakbo]

Cojones?

[@犬まにまに]

King saesar, who appeared in Godzilla, is a monster of this island, and it is also the place where he handed over the sword to uma Thurman in Kill Bill. Okinawa is a very small island, but it has a huge impact on pop culture and the geopolitics of East Asia.

[@leeboy26]

*Starts singing incredibly long song*

[@theblackswordsman9951]

*Uma Thurman

[@whathell6t]

I hope King Caesar the Shisa makes an appearance in the Monsterverse.

[@ivegotajousyaccent99]

@@leeboy26KIIIIINGU SHIIIIIIISAAAAA

[@yanyanz3011]

I support Ryukyu independence. Let's fight for independence, free Ryukyu.

[@ibrahimcoskun5602]

After the quote from the inscription on the bell, I am more eager to learn on the Far East. Okinawa just might be a strong point of history and this especially spices up the idea of the Far East Trio, China, Japan and Korea, going through centuries of intreresting history. Thank you for this incredible documentary!

[@nasrezz99]

As a Malaysian, the Ryukyu Kingdom does provide quite significance towards the Malaccan Sultanate's diplomatic relations and trade. But in the Malaysian historical subject syllabus, there is only little information regarding the Ryukyu Kingdom as just a trading partner with Malacca. I've learned a lot of Ryukyuan history and culture throughout this video. Shout out for Kings and Generals to release this video 👍

[@Jumpoable]

Yes, Okinawa uses turmeric a lot, & their traditional liquor Awamori is distilled using Thai long grain rice, not Japanese short grain, using SE Asian techniques, so it's more like an arak.

[@doanphat1480]

Ah yes, the island of Okinawa. Best known for the setting of The Karate Kid Part 2 and the bloodiest final battle of the Pacific War

[@dw4201]

An interesting curiosity: Many Okinawans migrated to Brazil in the 20th century, contributing greatly to Brazil having the largest Japanese community outside Japan.

[@JTA1961]

Didn't know it was them... growing up there (Japan) we were told Japanese & not Okinawans went

[@dw4201]

@@JTA1961 I recommend checking it out, it's quite interesting. Because of this migration, here (Brazil) is where there are most speakers of the native language of Okinawa, from what I saw, most are concentrated in São Paulo. Of course, the majority of immigrants are still Japanese as far as I know, especially those from the more recent waves, but Okinawans make up a very significant portion.

[@werren894]

@@dw4201 don't care, and Okinawan is not Japanese

[@The_Art_of_AI_888]

Bro Okinawans/Ryukyu people are not Japanese, they were invaded and still occupied by the Japanese. Did you not watch the video ?

[@yanyanz3011]

Ryukyu is not Japanese. I support Ryukyu independence. Let's fight for independence, free Ryukyu.

[@Numba003]

I didn't realize Okinawa and its archipelago had such a complex and storied history! Thank you for this one. There's so much fascinating history out there to learn. God be with you out there everybody. ✝️ :)

[@neetfreek9921]

And then your religion white washed it all.

[@yanyanz3011]

I support Ryukyu independence. Let's fight for independence, free Ryukyu.

[@Numba003]

@@yanyanz3011 Is there a strong independence movement in modern day Ryukyu?

[@IzumiKaya]

OMG😅💦 Very typical wrong idea of Okinawa from American or foreign perspectives who don’t know history of Okinawa from the Jomon era & the father of the very first king of Ryukyu 源為朝😅 You guys always talk about the history of Okinawa from the 15th century when Ryukyu Kingdom occurred like Okinawan people didn’t exist before that😅 Study where that Ryukyu flag 三巴紋comes from😂, only Japanese noble class families & renown shrines & temples are allowed to have them. Plz study the histories of Jomon & later times of 源氏 & 平家. Chinese people don’t have such a custom to have 三巴紋as family symbols. And the name Ryukyu 琉球 was given by the Emperor of Ming Dynasty in China in the 15th century, while the name Okinawa comes from the name Uchina- うちなー. Uchina- うちな- is how Okinawan people have called themselves from ancient times. Okinawa is Uchina- in the pronunciation of the modern standard Japanese. U in Okinawan dialect becomes O in the standard Japanese, CHI becomes KI. And prolonged sound in the Okinawan dialect becomes WA in the standard Japanese. Why such things happen ? Because we speak the same Japonic language derives from Jomon & Yayoi people. I bet you don’t know 😅 According to the texts written by the mainland Japanese who lived in Okinawa in the 6 to 7th century, Okinawan locals used to call themselves “ Akonawa “, while Yamato Japanese used to call Okinawa “ Ryugu 竜宮/ 龍宮”. According to the legend of the beginning of Japan, the mother & grandmother of our first emperor came from 龍宮. Around that time, Chinese Sui or Tang dynasties didn’t call Okinawa “ Ryukyu 琉球 “. They called it “ 流求 “, which was a 賎字. If you don’t know what 賎字 are, please do your own research😅 Yaeyama islands & Amami islands were invaded & occupied by Ryukyu by force, many were massacred in Yaeyama, but they became part of Ryukyu. But Yaeyama & Amami had connections with Yamato government in the Japanese main island since the 7th century. Descendants of 平家 still live in Yaeyama & Amami, while the father of the first Ryukyu king is said to be 源氏 - 源為朝。It’s written in the history of Ryukyu, and the DNA from the bones in the thumb of the first Ryukyu king family has also turned out to be that of the Yamato Japanese. You have to understand there used to be many kingdoms occurred in Japan. Of course in Kyushu, and we had tributary trades with Chinese empires, so did kingdoms occurred in the Korean Peninsula & Vietnam etc. We Japanese have Jomon & Yayoi ancestries throughout Japanese isles from Okinawa to Hokkaido. ( As for Hokkaido, many Ainu people are the mixture of Jomon & Okhotsk people). Japanese Jomon people traveled from islands to islands of Japanese archipelago including Okinawa from 18.000 years ago, way way before Han people appeared in the Chinese continent. Japanese Yayoi people later migrated to Japanese isles from the continent. They used shells from Amami as currency. Native Jomon animism & Yayoi shamanism mingled together and has become Japanese Shintoism, which still remains in Okinawa today as well. Our sun of goddess is Amaterasu アマテラス, while Okinawan sun of goddess is Amamikiyo アマミキヨ. Ama means woman in ancient Japanese. Standard Japanese language was created in the Meiji era. Until them, people in different areas & islands spoke very different dialects, but they were all part of Japonic languages including Okinawan dialects. Study Jomon language first. Then you notice the common words in areas where Jomon percentage is high in Japan like in Okinawa, southern Kyushu, Tohoku & Hokkaido. I’m sick and tired of such videos made by Westerners who know so little of our history 😅 Viewers should be careful not to be brainwashed by such KZbinrs. Plz do your own research not only from historical texts but also from scientific & archeological data & documents published by trustworthy national universities & labs. These kinds of videos about Okinawa are probably made for certain activists or countries for their own purposes or greed. If the majority of Okinawan people want independence or don’t consider themselves Japanese, that’s fine. They can be independent. We won’t stop them. But think about how they will end up when that happens. If that kind of future will make Okinawan people happier & more free, then keep spreading this kind of wrong perspectives. We main island Japanese won’t threaten them by missiles or anything even if they want independence. They can declare it at any time if they want to👍 We respect their free will. But I wish foreigners who don’t know our history from scratch stop spreading this kind of stories😅 Sooooo many of you guys ..

[@IzumiKaya]

@@yanyanz3011We aren’t stopping them ! But most Okinawan people know the Japanese history from the Jomon era. If they don’t consider themselves Japanese, they are always free to declare independence, but not your or outsiders’ business 😅

[@xjuliussx]

if you guys will do in future history of ancient Taiwan tribes as well would be lovely!

[@brainwashington1332]

Ancient Taiwan tribes were prehistoric, they don't even have written languages. Literally jungle Asians

[@fitzmeister87]

Love the Ryukyus. Unique culture, good vibe, awesome music and cuisine. Their history deserves to be in the spotlight more often. Thanks for this video

[@yanyanz3011]

I support Ryukyu independence. Let's fight for independence, free Ryukyu.

[@smokbig3202]

​@@yanyanz3011 Free Taiwan Free Hong Kong Free Uighur Free Tibet Free Inner Mongolia!!!

[@dice3000]

Some obscure island nation in Asia? I honestly did not know what to expect of this video and if I should watch. But once again I blown away by the incredible and interesting story of these people. This is the best channel on KZbin!!! Thank You

[@lordMartiya]

Nitpick: Okinawan martial arts and Kobudo predate the Satsuma invasione. The occupation only meant they had to get creative in hiding them.

[@joshuaburke9516]

I really enjoy leaning about a Kingdom I have never learned of before. Its an adventure in a video with plenty of discovery for me! Cheers K&G!

[@hotsecksi]

I love Okinawa. Beautiful place with an amazing aquarium!

[@晴空一鶴-x7s]

When japan and ming conflicted, the capital has already been moved northward to Beijing for more than 100 years. 14:43

[@サーモンください]

沖縄は沖縄だから。中国人じゃねえよくそったれ

[@duanewolfe9966]

The "weapons were taken by the Japanese so the Okinawans created karate and kobudo" story has been disproven long ago.

[@budakbaongsiah]

Come on K&G, if you're going to tell us how different the Okinawans are to the mainland Japanese, then call their kingdom with its proper name, Ruuchuu.

[@mr.notsonice]

Even the term ryukyu is a Japanese pronunciation of 琉球 which is pronounced Ruu Chuu in Uchinaguchi (okinawan) and Luu Chuu in Mandarin.

[@IzumiKaya]

OMG😱So wrong😭💦Okinawan dialect derives from the Jomon & Yayoi languages as the Japanese main islanders do. Very old usages remain there. Linguistically, hostirically, it’s a Japonic language, while Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language with completely opposite grammar systems. As a main islander Japanese, if majority of Okinawan people want independence, it’s fine. We respect their free will. We aren’t stopping them or threatening them with missiles to stop that. But I’ll upload a real meaning of Okinawa in my future video. Too many people don’t know it😅The name Okinawa / Akonawa is actually much older than the name Ryukyu琉球. Ryukyu 琉球 is the name exists from 15th century, while Okinawa/ Akonawa is how Okinawan people have called themselves from the 7th century. It’s Uchina-うちなーin Okinawan dialect. O in standard Japanese becomes U in Okinawan dialect, KI becomes CHI, and WA becomes a prolonged sound in Okinawan dialect. For another example. Yakimono / yakimon in standard Japanese becomes Yachimun in Okinawan dialect. So many people are ignorant of this language system in Japonic language… I wonder why… Ughhhhhhhhhh 😓

[@moneyobsessed]

Europa universalis cherish ryukyu with one of the hardest achievements called"the three mountains"

[@py8554]

What astonished me when I read about the history of Okinawa is that even without a large population and abundant resources the main island still split into warring states that continued for considerable period of time before they unified into a single kingdom.

[@kantakouzini]

the philippines ( i suppose bc people think its just a post spanish colony) is always glazed over the states of tondo, cebu and sulu were doing trade too with okinawa and china in partucular. tondo in fact held a treaty with china that stipulated even though they were not han could trade with chinese ports during its past isolation period and there is a sulu king paduka pahala -巴都葛叭哈喇 who during a tributary mission to the yongle emperor. he fell ill, died and was buried by the emperor with full honors since he could not return home. his tumulus is still in dezhou, shandong province

[@ryudai1]

I'm happy a video was finally made on Okinawa/Ryukyu. However, I was a little disappointed about some errors, including some easily caught pronunciation and spelling errors, such as calling Miyako Mikayo (multiple times), and pronouncing Ryukyu as Ryuku. It was difficult for me since Okinawa is an important part of my heritage and family. That said, I still enjoy Kings and Generals and look forward to more interesting videos to come.

[@JTA1961]

My dad was stationed on Miyako jima during the Korean War... Went back afterwards & moved to the other extreme... Wakkanai... where was a missionary & raised 5 boys.

[@The_Art_of_AI_888]

Also, Ryukyu is a Japanese name and pronouciation, I think the more closely native name and native pronouncation would be "Luuchuu or Luucuu"

[@yanyanz3011]

I support Ryukyu independence. Let's fight for independence, free Ryukyu.

[@osu3167]

​@@JTA1961you saying your dad mated with the locals? 😂

[@ennui9745]

@@The_Art_of_AI_888 Nope, it's "Ruuchuu" in Okinawan, not the Chinese pronunciation.

[@teddys5775]

No EU4 player has forgotten ryukyu or their world conquest

[@balabanasireti]

If only you players would finally shut up about the game

[@teddys5775]

@@balabanasireti NEVER!

[@TheAnonCritique]

One of the interesting cultural legacies in Okinawa/Ryuku from its history of international trade is Awamori, the local spirit of choice. It is made from indica rice which is not commonly found in Japan, but needs to be imported from Siam, along with its distillation methods. The popular stone lions (for good luck and warding-off of evil spirits, called Shi-Sa) also has significant Siamese artistic influence to its form. Quite fascinating how, just like the Vikings/Danes in the Dark Ages, there was far more international trade in the more 'remote' corners of the world than people first realised.

[@Jumpoable]

They also use a lot of turmeric, & their cuisine really is more similar to Southern Chinese styles than Japanese -- lots of stir-fries & stews combining pork & all the abundant vegetables that Southern China & Thailand -- bitter melon, morning glory, etc. They don't actually eat that much sashimi because the tropical fish around their island's coral reefs are more pretty than delicious. Instead, this black Agū pig imported from China reigns supreme. It is so sweet. Wagyu also originated from Okinawa.

[@Appachoppa112]

The mainlanders called em the south islanders because they were of the austronesians from south kyushu down. Mainlanders were from china/korea. Ainu came from siberia/manchuria. Kinda like the scandanavians, related but distinct. Another viking similarity is just as swedes broke off and became russians, austronesians broke off and became polynesians

[@jasonjean2901]

Only two historical objections: 1) The island of Taiwan was given back to China following WWII, it was not granted its "independence." 2) As Jesse "the karate nerd" has explained on his KZbin Channel, the Okinawan martial art, which became known as "Karate", was called "Toe Di" in Okinawa, and the Characters "唐手" mean "Chinese fist". The aristocracy of Okinawa would sometimes to go China and learn particular styles of Kung Fu and bring them back to the island. Jesse says that it is a myth that Kobuto weaponry were invented by Okinawan peasants, or even the aristocracy, but were adopted from China, where they had existed for some time prior.

[@The_Art_of_AI_888]

Well, I think due to decades of being brainwashed and influenced by anti-China media propaganda, many Westerners having hard time or literally dont want to accept the truth that (1) Taiwan has always been part of China and (2) Many East Asian cultural things and icons that they are fascinating with were actually influenced by Chinese or originated from China. Ryukyu, like other East Asian nations were also heavily influenced by China. Many Ryukyu customs, practices...were actually inspired, adopted and imported from Chinese culture. Even Bruce Lee also said in his famous interview : "Chinese Kung Fu was the ancestor of Karate".

[@The_Art_of_AI_888]

Historically, Ryukyu and China had a very close and win-win tributary relation, Ryukyu regonized and respected China as "big brother" of the region, offering China some "made in Ryukyu" goods and in return China gifted back A LOT of Chinese luxury goods and wealth to this royal little guy for showing respect and then Ryukyu traded those Chinese luxury goods with other nations and accquired wealth for their kingdom.

[@yanyanz3011]

I support Ryukyu independence. Let's fight for independence, free Ryukyu.

[@jeromebesson]

@jasonjean2901 Taiwan neither gained independence nor became Chinese upon the surrender of Japan. In the San Francisco Peace Treaty article 2(b), the government of Japan only “renounced all right, title and claim to Taiwan," an inalienable part of Japan since April 1, 1945. Neither China, any China by whatever acronym it fancies calling itself, nor the native population received the sovereignty of Taiwan from Japan. Although the US took great care to conceal its role on post-WWII Taiwan, legally speaking, on April 28, 1945, Japanese Formosa became American Taiwan, a protectorate of the US concealed under the rags and tatters of Chinese Nationalism. Since Chiang Kai-shek, the Chinese “zongtong” (總統) of rebel Chinese territory Kinmen & Matsu is the agent of the US executive on American Taiwan. We know that since President Chen Shui-bian spilled the beans on his fraught relationship with AIT. American Taiwan includes Taiwan and Penghu and some other minor islands but does not include Chinese Kinmen & Matsu and the Pratas atoll. Hidefumi Sai (Japanese: 蔡英文, Sai Hidefumi)’s 2023 American Taiwan is in the same predicament as Manuel Quezon’s 1934-46 American Philippines. As things are shaping up, her successor might be Kiyonori Rai (Japanese: 賴清德, Rai Kiyonori). Real Taiwanese first names are actually Japanese first names hiding under a Chinese pronunciation.

[@The_Art_of_AI_888]

@@jeromebesson Stop spreading absurd lies, misinformation and propaganda. Are you Japanese or a Weeb? Respect the history and the truth, can you?. Everyone who want the truth can do some research and fact checks abt Taiwan: 1) Unlike people in Ryukyu/Okinawa, who had their own independent kingdom, with culture very distinct from Japanese (Yamato), people in Taiwan have always been Han Chinese living along with aboriginal people on the island since ancient time. 2) Dutch came and colonized the island, then got kicked out of the island by Ming China officals, then replaced and officially under controled by Qing China authority. 3) Japan invaded Qing China and colonized the island 4) Japan surrendered and had to given back all the territories that they invaded and occupied to their originally countries ans rightful owners. 5) Just because Japan didn't mention in some treaties that they gave back to which specifically country, doesn mean those territories were not belong to their originally country. 6) Using San Francisco treaty as claim for Taiwan are not part of Chinese nation is a joke, because it didnt invole and under agreement of the Chinese govt at the time (Republic of China). You can't decide other country territories without their involvement ans agreement. 7) Imagine China attacked Japan, occupied Tokyo for some years, then later surrendered and gave back Tokyo, but didn't menton to which country specifically, so Tokyo not part of Japan now?

[@Michael-bn1oi]

Less forgotten, more purposefully erased lol

[@Jobe-13]

The Ryukyu Kingdom is very underrated in Japanese history.

[@烏梨師斂]

It's not Japanese

[@nirvana4165]

⁠Ryukyu belong to Japonic language

[@烏梨師斂]

@@nirvana4165 English belongs to Germanic language family. Doesn't mean English history belongs to Germany

[@KamalasFakePolls]

​@@烏梨師斂it's been Japanese for well over a century now.

[@Liliphant_]

​​​​@@KamalasFakePolls in other words, its history was not Japanese. It was forced to become Japanese, as the video explains

[@lerneanlion]

How far Ryukyu has come for that there is a female character who not only originated from Okinawa but also bear the same name of the archipelago she hailed from in My Hero Academia. And she's such a hot beauty!

[@firstcynic92]

Interesting video. Will you also make one about the Ainu people of Hokkaido & Sakhalin islands?

[@KingsandGenerals]

We have one

[@Justin1an]

King and General, i really hope you can cover a documentary series for ancient SE Asia kingdoms in near future. It had such rich and interesting history that people need to know more about; Such as Khmer, Champa, Srivijaya, Dai Viet, Funan, Malacca Sultanate, Majapahit, Ayutthaya (Siam), Butuan Rajahnate etc. Considering you already cover much of history in all part of the world, it would be great to see you cover a history in other region that haven't been cover much and unfamiliar to people. But i believe you will make one like you always do.

[@shingshongshamalama]

"I've got it! We'll just take over the Sho Dynasty, then we'll pretend nothing happened and keep paying taxes to the Ming Emperor." "Brilliant, sir. Ingenious. Outstanding."

[@urphakeandgey6308]

I'm a native of Okinawa. As a few fun facts: I still have relatives here that are vehemently racist against Japanese people. They refuse to see themselves as Japanese. Likewise, I have other relatives (often the younger generations) that don't understand this kind of thinking at all. As an Okinawan that is fully fluent in American English, I have to agree with the ones that refuse to see themselves as Japanese. Most of the younger generation just can't fathom Japanese sources lying or leaving out information like that. I can read American sources and compare them to the Japanese ones. They aren't fooling me. Both sides were brutal, but one won't take on the honor of owning up to themselves.

[@georgeli3935]

Inaccuracy: Taiwan never got their independence after WWII. It was returned to the Republic of China.

[@LoneWanderer727]

I've been very interested in Japanese history all my life - traveling Japan's various cities, prefectures and islands. Okinawa, Kyushu and some of the other Ryuku islands are on that list. A lot of people don't know about the distinct cultures that are present in Japan, or the legacy of them among the existing mainline culture. And it's great to see videos like this exploring some of them so that others can see more of the depth/richness Japan & all of its neighboring islands have!

[@FSVR54]

Weeb

[@tertmade9769]

Japan during ancient times and classical period, their were many indigenous people, aside from Ainu and Ryukyuan, their were Izumo, Owari, Nakoku, Shikoku, Keno, Emishi, Kumaso, Koshi, Hayato and others I forget, also people outside Japan did settled in the island, the Nivks

[@yanyanz3011]

Ryukyu was not part of Japan. Japanese invaded and annexed Ryukyu. I support Ryukyu independence. Let's fight for independence, free Ryukyu.

[@GiorniVenibato]

They were not Japanese! Most natives were massacred by Japanese invaders!

[@dddbbb6940]

@@yanyanz3011free Tibet free Uyghur

[@Mrkabrat]

I wonder if their language is protected by law, given how central goverments tend to shaft native languages. Edit: Welp, given how they got treated, who knows if ryukyu language can hold out. I really hope they do

[@budakbaongsiah]

There's only a little attempt to preserve non-Japanese language in Japan by the Japanese government. They don't care. It's up to the natives to preserve it.

[@Mrkabrat]

@@budakbaongsiah Poor lads. Hopefully it goes well for them

[@damnyankee3558]

The Okinawan martial arts are not a result of the Japanese taking weapons from the peaple this is a big misnomer Kabudo weapons forms and Early Karate have been practiced long before the Shimizu Kabudo weapons were practiced by the noble class of Okinawa and Ryukyu not the peasants and have a strong connection to Chinese martial arts

[@emikomina]

next time do Hawaii and Tibet

[@AkiraUema]

The Japanese robbed us of our language, country, and our own history, throwing our people into invisibility. My heart is pierced everytime Okinawa is treated as Japanese.

[@taktktk5240]

独立望むなら自由です。 言語も3つ以上分かれていたと思うが。 米国のままの方が日本には都合が良い。

[@minoru-kk]

Brilliant as always. K&G always f show us hidden pages in world history from Western perspective! Adding two tiny points. Satsuma clan hadn't bann weapons other than guns so there were many Ryukyuan masters of the swords or bows, and current Ryukyuan people speak Creole, a mixture of Japanese, Ryukyuan, and some English words

[@蝦夷人民共和国]

同じあいこん❤

[@BaronLukis]

More Asiatic (Japan Chinese history videos please)!!!

[@Strat-Guides]

Anyone else here because of the three mountains achievement??

[@franky110]

I love this channel but there are some inaccuracies I have to point out... 1. Around 13:30, it seems you'll need to change Goryeo to Chosun given that the narrator's explaining about events that happened near the end of Sengoku Jidai and the subsequent invasion launched by Hideyoshi. 2. The Shogun Hidetada's family name was Tokugawa and not Toyotomi... although I'm sure Hideyoshi would have wished that he had a son as mature as Hidetada

[@alibekmurataliev9979]

Yeah, I was going to pinpoint the same inaccuracies. The timestamp for Shogun Hidetada is 15:20. Great video nevertheless!

[@nobunagaoda6605]

Tbh I think they may have played/depend too much Europa Universalis 4 if they kept making on-and-off inaccuracies when they make their videos time and time again 😂

[@academychamploo758]

I also think the narrator is saying Mikayo instead of Miyako

[@nobunagaoda6605]

@@academychamploo758 Can't blame him- Devin is the best narrator the Kings and Generals team can ever have- It's mostly whoever their research team (and maybe a lil bit from their writing team) that usually either forget or miss some info on the subject.

[@jherome95]

isn't it better to put the info box in the top left screen? Since it is being blocked by KZbin CC

[@ongsengfook]

Liuqiu was closer to China than Japan. After being annexed by Japan in 1879, the government in exiled fled to Qing China. Unfortunately that time China was weak. There are many Liuqiu offices in Fujian and Beijing China. Hopefully Liuqiu researchers can go there to view historical documents. Last week, Liuqiu governor was in China. He also visited Liuqiu cemetery and offices in Fujian.

[@wadepsilon01]

There is a political party in Okinawa Prefecture that seeks independence from Japan. However, its support rate in Okinawa is 0.9%. Incidentally, the party supports the independence of Tibet, Uyghur, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

[@The_Art_of_AI_888]

​@@wadepsilon01Tibet was an independent kingdom, it's reasonable for their independent. but people in Hong Kong, Taiwan have always been Chinese and have always been part of China, robbed away by British and Japan. So independence from what? More like a political propaganda to break China into pieces...People should study history and truth not propaganda. As for Ughyur people, they were actually mixed people from many ethnicities that living in the West of China and West Asia, along with many ethnicities throughout history, it's not like they had long history of an independent kingdom like Ryukyu or Tibet

[@collidinggamers4348]

The Ryukyu people have a very fascinating history. Thanks for taking the time to make this video because I learnt a lot from this video.

[@rienksjoerdsma]

Videos like this, about forgotten culture and history is what we need more of. Great video.

[@まる-h1v]

As an Okinawan citizen living in Japan, I truly love both Okinawa and Japan.

[@mikemodugno5879]

K&G at its best! I love your videos covering a specific people group or nation state. Thank you.

[@deanzaZZR]

I get it. This is a maritime history that is worthy and little known. I do have to wonder about comparing Ryukyu to Venice and using phrases like "leviathan of mercantile dominance at sea". It would be informative to compare shipping volumes and value with ports such as Quanzhou and Guangzhou on the Chinese mainland. Chinese and Champa trading vessels were very active during this same era.

[@ianhomerpura8937]

Yep. Champa was very active in maritime trade, and even contributed to the founding of the sultanates in Aceh and Sulu.

[@Strategikos]

I got the same feeling. The video is interesting, but I feel it might be a bit overhyped so to speak. Also, trade aside, Venice had a powerful navy as well as advanced intelligence and diplomatic services. Was it the case for the Ryukyu Kingdom, especially when it comes to the navy?

[@kelpygroyper]

This was an incredibly interesting video. I like to consider myself a history enthusiast but I never even knew that Okinawa was apart of its own kingdom. Eastern history is just as facianating as western

[@JTA1961]

Well said

[@yanyanz3011]

Ryukyu was not part of Japan. Japanese invaded and annexed Ryukyu. I support Ryukyu independence. Let's fight for independence, free Ryukyu.

[@samuelmargueret9626]

You guys are just incredible , this topic is just almost Never aborded by historian or anything in relation with history..... the fact that you can Past from peloponese wars to ww2 to any différent thing is just insane !! You have my full support as always 😊

[@Esquarious]

I don't mean to sound pithy but, yeah, it is. Maybe not on YT but I literally took a class as a history major on the Japanese Colonial Empire and we read a whole book on the history of Okinawa... which has had English language academic publications covering its history since the 1950s.

[@ptiz6231]

Centuries of suffering is what Ryukyu has experienced: Japanese invaders, genocide in the name of WWII from both Japan and US, rapers and robbers coming from US military bases, oppression from Japanese government when they protest against the US military bases......

[@king-jl2nh]

Ryukyu must be able to gain independence, we are not Japanese at all, we have our own independent kingdom in history. After World War II, the United States, as the victorious country, let Japan take custody of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Trusteeship does not mean ownership, so we can be independent! ! We will never forget the Battle of Ryukyu, the massacre of Ushijima Mitsuru on our Ryukyu people! ! All Ryukyu people unite and work together to get rid of Japan's control! !

[@lzeng78]

👏👏👍👍🙏🙏

[@poekore8472]

Okinawans do not want to be independent.

[@IzumiKaya]

あなたは本当にうちなんちゅですか❓沖縄オキナワ / アコナワは琉球より遥かに古い呼称ですよ。縄文時代からの歴史を知っていますか❓琉球国が武力で八重山や奄美を侵攻した事、八重山の人々を虐サツした事知ってますか❓7世紀から八重山は大和朝廷や平家と交流があり、源氏や平家の子孫は八重山や奄美に多い事を知っていますか❓で、最初に沖縄に稲作を伝えたのは九州弥生人、後に日宋貿易の為にアコナワに住み着いた本土人ですよ。稲のDNA解析でも証明されています。第一尚氏のお父さんは源為朝と琉球史にも書いてある事、6世紀7世紀は日本本土の大和朝廷は沖縄を竜宮-龍宮と呼んでいた事を知っていて、沖縄は本当に日本本土と民族的に文化的に何も関係ないと思ってますか❓6〜7世紀ごろ、隋や唐の中国側は沖縄を流求と呼んでいました。流求とは賎字で、琉球と言う名が付けられたのは15世紀ですよ。で、九州や出雲にも王国がありましたが、皆んな独立すべきでしょうか❓ あなたが本当に沖縄県民なら、この日本語読めますね❓ ちなみに沖縄が独立したいならいつでも独立宣言出来ます。それを中国に支持してもらえば済みます。本土人は止めてないですよ😅自由意志を尊重します。 米軍基地に関しては日本は未だアメリカの植民地みたいな立場なので、コントロール出来なくて申し訳ないです。米軍や自衛隊を追い出すには独立宣言が一番です。いつでも可能です🉑

[@king-jl2nh]

@@IzumiKaya I know you are a despicable Japanese, We will definitely rebuild our country and we will never forget the massacre of us Ryukyu people by Ushijima Mitsuru in the Battle of Okinawa.

[@wadepsilon01]

​@@king-jl2nh Is your name Wang?

[@PH-jv4ik]

The only reason I know about the Ryukyu islands is because of Samurai Champloo

[@tetsu1000]

11:00 the illustration is Prince Shōtoku from the 7th century 15:19 Toyotomi Hidetada lol

[@shipmate3577]

As someone who was stationed on Okinawa and survived its summers, I appreciate this video

[@lawrencebautista1]

Can you do video of Japanese Annexation of Korea?

[@MauricedelTaco]

I think Shuri Castle recently burned down. They are rebuilding it.

[@CJC90909]

You forgot about the time they conquered Tibet, invited the Mongols to take over, and went on to conquer and raze the entirety of the world.

[@muic4880]

One mistake, Ming dynasty was already a Beijing based regime by the time Southeast Wokou Raid, and not Nanjing regime as they relocated their capital after a coup d'état.

[@AccipiterAtricapillus]

the history of the Ryukyuans is the future and present struggles of the Ainu!

[@renaldiroekanto789]

The three mountains any% eu4

[@zacchew4232]

U have to be aware that in 1972, America only passes the Administrative authority to Japan. Not the sovereignty authority. By law according to the Cairo Declaration post WW2. Okinawa is still a sovereign state by itself but manage by the Japanese

[@jologamos9902]

Ryukyu and Ancient Philippines have a good relationship hope you will continue the Philippines Series specifically The Pre colonial era and the many Kingdoms at fiefdoms of the archipelago

[@oblivious116]

That's funny, I literally made a research paper about the Ryukyu Islands just a few days ago lol

[@churasannoo]

I’m Ryukyuan from Yaeyama and I was skeptical when I saw this video. I clicked on this intending to tell you everything you got wrong about my community. Thank you for being well-informed. My only critique is that I wish you covered the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu’s in more depth, as it isn’t possible to understand our current predicament as a doubly-colonized population without assessing the adverse impact of the United States

[@Ccdddttt]

Such a great video!! Ive had the pleasure of working with folks from Japan in New York City at some of the fanciest restaurants where money flowed freely. The level of product was unbelievable. I signed an invoice one morning for blue fin tuna straight from Tsukiji Fish Market that totaled $14,000.

[@MichaelSmith-ij2ut]

As an Okinawan karate turtle myself, I really appreciated this video

[@saidtoshimaru1832]

Hahahahahaa!!!

[@sohrabroozbahani4700]

To think that we fought all the way through the Shuri castle in COD world at war...

[@ianhomerpura8937]

Then seeing it rebuilt..and burning to the ground once again in 2018

[@Tijereño]

These are my absolutely favorite videos from you. Videos like this and the Kingdom of Nubia have really gotten me interested in “obscure” polities. I have a couple suggestions for a video and a series For my series suggestion, I think it would be really interesting to dive into the Portuguese exploration of the African coast, starting from the ambitions of Prince Henry the Navigator and the Conquest of Ceuta in 1415, the first slave raids in the Banc D’Arguin, the first contacts with the Jolof Empire, Benin, Kongo, etc. and ending with Da Gama’s 1498 voyage to India. I recently dove into each voyage and it was fascinating to learn about how the Portuguese slowly crept down the coast before exploding into the Indian Ocean as a major naval power. One story that I can never forget reading is how some Mali Empire vassals attacked the Portuguese because they heard about how they were buying slaves from the Jolof and thought they were eating their captured and purchased slaves. It was just very ironic considering the multitude of false cannibalism rumors (and a couple true ones here and there) that spread in Europe in later years. For some other “obscure” kingdoms and polities videos I would suggest 1. The Kilwa Sultanate 2. The city of Ife-Ife in Yorubaland and its hegemony over the other Yoruba cities 3. The Puebloans of the Southwestern US 4. The Saadi dynasty of Morocco 5. The Srivijaya Empire

[@maapaa2010]

In the modern day, Japanese people love Okinawa and the Okinawan people. They are so kind, and such a beautiful place. Though, i have heard the food is very bad 😂 the issue of extensive military bases though is a serious cause for protest among the native people, against the central Japanese government. But, given the militaristic and expansionist CPR of China, the island chain is of great strategic importance >

[@ianhomerpura8937]

Iirc the JSDF has a brand new military base in Yonaguni Island

[@Kagekatsu1]

15:25 It’s actually Tokugawa Hidetada, FYI.

[@carlbrown9082]

Thanks for a very interesting video. The history of Asia is so complex that one would spend years creating videos discussing all the various aspects.

[@andersschmich8600]

Would be cool to see a video on the Tibetan Empire! Or a deep dive into the Yayoi and Jomon whose synthesis created Japan.

[@Kili2807]

Yeah Tibetan empire is fascinating

[@sierra5360]

I’d love if there was Spanish versions so I could show my family these videos

[@beautifulbangladesh5838]

Please,make video on "Bangladesh Liberation War" Love from Bangladesh🇧🇩

[@GiorniVenibato]

They were NOT JAPANESE!

[@AlejandroMadrid-tn1gp]

I lived in Okinawa. Lots of ghosts there.

[@nocturnalforsaken4519]

more on south east asia kingdom so much treasure trove of history in there

[@justinnamuco9096]

These guys were contemporaneously noted in the Philippines for trading with the kingdom of Manila. Pigafetta, who accompanied Magellan in 1521, mentioned the commerce between Ryukyuans and Luzonians while Magellan's fleet were in Cebu without even seeing either.

[@babangteo2853]

Okinawan word for eating is same as Tagalog one. くゎいん vs Kain.

[@blasianray]

Thank you so much for this video. As a person of Okinawa/Ryukyu descent it’s hard to convey the history and significance of the Ryukyu in a concise manner to other and this video does exactly that.

[@yanyanz3011]

Ryukyu was not part of Japan. Japanese invaded and annexed Ryukyu. I support Ryukyu independence. Let's fight for independence, free Ryukyu.

[@frankhall8234]

I from Fujian province, we used to have a strong relation with Ryukyu, don't worry, we know.

[@eleetgroupvideo]

Great documentary! Imagine with modern day politics, chinese companies from Mexico pretending they are not Chinese, speaking Mexican to trade with America :)

[@pll3827]

The Satsuma basically used Okinawa as a instrument to evade Chinese sanctions

[@Urlocallordandsavior]

Ryukyu Islands: Gets called "Venice of Asia" Ayutthaya Kingdom: *sad noises in Thai*

[@Urlocallordandsavior]

The Ayutthaya Kingdom was actually called the "Venice of the East" by contemporary Europeans by the way.

[@maiarg2483]

not fair to say that hunter gatherer is =primitive or less sophisticated. because there is sophistication in it itself that we might not have known yet. saying this in a documentary is already "othering" the people therefore u are cobtributory to racism

[@吉本レイモンド]

21:02 my great grandfather and neighbors was killed by japanese soldier for suspicion of spy. but their actually not spy. the leader who gave the order execution said "i did right thing as soldiers" in interview. reason of why lot of okinawan old ppl hate Amerian and japanese is this.

[@MyDogmatix]

This one is a gem. Well done!

[@JTA1961]

True dat.

[@conho4898]

Just wanna say, that Chinese record mentioning female rulers was referring to Japan, not Ryukyu. Pre-Sinicized Japan had a bunch of female shaman rulers.

[@georgeeagle872]

There's no such a thing called Kingdom of Okinawa. It's official name is Kingdom of Ryukyu.

[@Peripepp]

Trivia: the house of Shō survived to this day. They were forcibly relocated to Tokyo and were granted the kazoku peerage as an exchange for their loss of temporal authority. The current head of the family, or some nerds might fancy as pretender to Ryukyuan throne, is Shō Mamoru.

[@dannylo5875]

So nerds always win!? He can call himself Japanese royalty but wonder if they would consider him one or maybe his branch or cadet was cut off from the royal family who currently is on the throne. Becoming extinct in the process...wonder if the Japanese government keeps track of these extended people's distant relatives or relations to ensure the royal throne as it's dying out.