Proceedings of the 2025 6th International Conference on Mental Health, Education and Human Development (MHEHD 2025)

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Identity Construction and Dual Tribute in Ryukyuan Genealogies: A Micro-Level Study of History, Culture, and Geopolitics

Authors
Anna Moromizato1, *
1Waseda University, 1-104 Totsukamachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
*Corresponding author. Email: yonglingy@hotmail.com
Corresponding Author
Anna Moromizato
Available Online 31 August 2025.
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-460-0_28How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Ryukyu genealogy; dual tribute; cultural identity; geopolitics
Abstract

This paper examines genealogical records from the Ryukyu Kingdom period as its primary sources. It begins by outlining the rise and fall of the Ryukyu Kingdom and then by analyzing the naming systems in the Shuri, Naha, and Kume genealogical lineages and comparing the accounts of dual tribute activities across different genealogies, this study reveals how Ryukyuan society was influenced by both China and Japan, and how the Ryukyuan elite adopted flexible strategies in terms of cultural identity and diplomatic relations. Utilizing modern geopolitical theories—such as the “shatter belt” theory—this study reinterprets Ryukyu’s historical experience. It offers valuable historical insights into the survival strategies of small states caught between competing powers. Particularly noteworthy is the novel horizontal comparison of how the same tribute mission is described differently in various genealogies. This reveals differences in family roles during diplomatic activities and underscores both the value and limitations of Ryukyuan genealogies as sources for understanding the history of Ryukyuan society.

Copyright
© 2025 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the 2025 6th International Conference on Mental Health, Education and Human Development (MHEHD 2025)
Series
Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research
Publication Date
31 August 2025
ISBN
978-2-38476-460-0
ISSN
2352-5398
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-460-0_28How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2025 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - CONF
AU  - Anna Moromizato
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/08/31
TI  - Identity Construction and Dual Tribute in Ryukyuan Genealogies: A Micro-Level Study of History, Culture, and Geopolitics
BT  - Proceedings of the 2025 6th International Conference on Mental Health, Education and Human Development (MHEHD 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 243
EP  - 250
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-460-0_28
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-460-0_28
ID  - Moromizato2025
ER  -