Satsuma’s "Kariya Institution" In Ryukyu Kingdom,1631-1872

After Satsuma invaded into Ryukyu in 1609,Ryukyu began to be interfered by Satsuma,the Ming Dynasty was also wary of Ryukyu.Until the early 1930 s,the relationship between the Ming Dynasty and Ryukyu gradually recovered.In order to better interfere in the trade activities between Ryukyu and China,Satsuma officially set up a institution named "Kariya" in 1631.In Japanese,the Kariya originally meant temporary residence,In the Warring States period of Japan,the Kariya evolved into an army garrison,In the late modern era of Japan,it specifically refers to the office of local officials.The main officials of the Kariya include Ban Bugyou,Yamato Yokome,Yoriki,Hissha,among which Ban Bugyou is the most senior official.The main function of the Kariya is to interfere in the trade activities between Ryukyu and China,including Tribute Trade and Canonization Trade.In the Tribute Trade,Kariya is mainly responsible for managing the Tokara Silver and inspecting the goods;In the Canonization Trade,the Canonization Ship Bugyou is mainly responsible for monitoring the trade.In addition,the Kariya is also responsible for monitoring Ryukyu,including foreign ships,foreign personnel and Christianity.The Kariya was abolished when Japan forcibly changed“Ryukyu Kingdom” to "Ryukyu vassal" in 1872 and has existed for more than 200 years.Through the exploration of the setting background,internal composition,operation and main functions of the Kariya,it can be concluded that the Kariya,as the official institution set up by Satsuma in Ryukyu,has great importance.However,the Kariya is essentially a supervisory institution,which does not exercise sovereignty and does not have real power.The political rights of Ryukyu Kingdom is in its own hands.Kariya has weakened Ryukyu’s autonomy to a certain extent,but Ryukyu’s independent state has not changed.