Category:Ryūkyū Region: Difference between revisions

Ryūkyū (琉球地方) refers to the cultural and historical region encompassing the Ryukyu Islands, including the territory of modern-day Okinawa Prefecture. Distinguished by its unique linguistic, artistic, and spiritual traditions, the region developed independently from mainland Japan for centuries under the Ryūkyū Kingdom (15th–19th century). Its geographical position between Japan, China, and Southeast Asia fostered an active maritime trade network that deeply influenced its aesthetic forms, material culture, and musical and architectural practices.

The crafts of the Ryūkyū region are characterized by the integration of island resources, such as coral, natural dyes, subtropical plant fibers, and mineral-rich clays. Textile traditions, especially bingata stencil dyeing and Ryūkyū kasuri weaving, form major cultural symbols of the region. Pottery traditions, including Tsuboya ware, reflect both local innovation and continental influences. Traditional lacquerware, woodworking, and ritual craft practices also continue to be transmitted through workshop lineages and cultural preservation organizations.

Despite historical pressures of assimilation and modernization, the Ryūkyū region maintains a strong sense of cultural identity, with continuing revitalization of the Ryukyuan languages, performing arts, and craft techniques.

The Ryūkyū cultural region corresponds to:

• Okinawa Prefecture

• Historically independent Ryūkyū Kingdom with strong maritime cultural networks.
• Major textile traditions including bingata dyeing and Ryūkyū kasuri weaving.
• Ceramic production centered around Tsuboya and related kiln sites.
• Ritual craft forms and musical traditions reflecting indigenous belief systems.

• Location: Southwestern island chain extending from Kyūshū toward Taiwan
• Landscape: Coral coasts, subtropical forests, limestone formations
• Major city: Naha (Okinawa Island)

• Japanese Regions
• Ryūkyū Kingdom
• Bingata
• Tsuboya ware