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Development in Okinawa
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3. DEVELOPMENT IN OKINAWA (Cont.)
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Okinawa is at the crossroads of major trading routes. It becomes the �Resting Spot� near the East China Sea. This location allows Okinawa to became a trade center for southeastern Asia, trading with Japan, China, Indo China, Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo and the Philippines.
- 400 nautical miles east of mainland China
- 300 nautical miles south of mainland Japan
- 300 nautical miles north of Taiwan
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The Transformation of Okinawan Society
Reign of Sho Shin 1477-1526 AD
| Keimochi Samurai Warlords
Warlords fought with each other in many civil wars before Sho Shin�s reign during the Second Sho Dynasty. Okinawa had less than 100 families in the Keimochi noble class of warlords.
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Keimochi Ruling Class
 Overtime, the Keimochi becomes the bureaucratic ruling class filling government positions. The turban they were, called the Hachimaki is the badge of a high rank in government.
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Okinawan government transforms from decentralized warlord regions to a centralized, peaceful, bureacracy. The ruling family was protected by bodyguards serving various government roles. A new class structure arose with the ruling family at the top, followed by nobles, ministers, and Peichin (working level government employees). These roles were handed down through the family providing perpetual job security during Sho Shin's reign.
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Revised 1 Jan 2009
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