Military of the Ryukyu Kingdom
| Ryukyuan Military | |
|---|---|
Royal crest of the King of Ryukyu | |
| Active | Early 15th century - 1879 |
| Disbanded | 1879 |
| Country | Ryukyu Kingdom |
| Type | Army Navy |
| Role | Military, police, administration |
| Weapons | Swords, bows, spears, guns, cannon |
| Engagements | Unification of Okinawa (1403-1429) Amawari's Rebellion (1458) Akahachi's Rebellion (1500) Invasion of Ryukyu (1609) |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Shō Hashi Gosamaru Shō Shin Jana Ueekata |
The military of the Ryukyu Kingdom defended the kingdom from 1429 until 1879. It had roots in the late army of Chūzan, which became the Ryukyu Kingdom under the leadership of King Shō Hashi. The Ryukyuan military operated throughout the Ryukyu Islands, the East China Sea, and elsewhere that Ryukyuan ships went, including the South China Sea and furher west, along the maritime silk road. Ryukyu primarily fought with other Ryukyuan kingdoms and chiefdoms, but also Japanese samurai from Satsuma Domain and pirates. Soldiers were stationed aboard ships and Ryukyuan fortifications. The Ryukyuan military declined after the 17th century until it was abolished following the Japanese annexation of Ryukyu in 1879.