History of the Ryukyu Islands

This article is about the history of the Ryukyu Islands southwest of the main islands of Japan. Etymology The name "Ryūkyū" originates from Chinese writings. The earliest references to "Ryūkyū" write the name as 琉虬 and 流求 () in the Chinese history Book of Sui in 607. It is a descriptive name, meaning "glazed horn-dragon". The origin of the term "Okinawa" remains unclear, although "Okinawa" (Okinawan: Uchinaa) as a term was used in Okinawa. There was also a divine woman named "Uchinaa" in the b…