The Prehistoric Age
It is said that there was History of the Old Stone Age in Okinawa. Human bones of some million years ago which is discover are said that they are specie part of continent before Ryukyu is lands isolated, and it is considered as the beginning of Homo Sapience.
It is said that last one million years, the islands are keeping its form. After that, it's origin is not certain yet, History of the New Stone Age was structured, which is called Kaizuka Age. In this age, production was conquered by collecting economy, and from the features of earthenware were same alike Jomon ware.
Made of Ryukyu Kingdom
A village which altered to agricultural society was synthesized by primary festival. But inside, the ranks were made gradually. From the 9th to 13th century, Okinawa was having excitement age by top ranks, which were called "aji" were competed. And by 14th century, Okinawa was consisted by three forces.
Invade by Shimazu
In 1609, Ryukyu Kingdom got conquered by Satsuma Clan. By that matter, Ryukyu became a part of structure of the shougunate. By many critics it is identified as it was for benefit from trade between China.
At 18th century, literature, studies, dance, or music were prosperous and structure of present Okinawa History was consisted then. However, while time pass, contradicts in Okinawa got more and more serious, and farm villages got into chronic starvation.
The Modern Age of Okinawa
Meiji Government had two big problem that laying over before they put Okinawa together in Japanese district. One is object movement inside Okinawa, and other is opposition of Chinese government. But in 1879, Meiji government put Okinawa prefecture by using power. We call this "dispose of Ryukyu."
At end of Taisho age, Okinawan history became more serious by economic crisis which is called "sotetsu jigoku." Many of workers went out of prefecture.
The Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa was most terrible on in the World War II. Generally, it occurred from April 1st, 1945. In only 3 months, 260,000 people died and more than half of them was Okinawan citizens. Citizen from baby to senior got involved in this war. Japan used every Okinawan as their power to take time as long as they could before the battle would advances to the main land. This matter caused great numbers of death of citizen. By Japan accepting "Potsdom Declaration," the battle ended on August 15th.
After the war, Japan and Okinawa got visibly separated by signing " Treaty of San-Francisco," which includes "U.S.-Japan Security Treaty," which was signed by Japan, ignored Okinawans' protest. And at the same moment, Okinawans' movement for reversion have started. Okinawa got governed by U.S. Force and it's construction of bases became large-scale by 1949. Because of strong campaigns for return to Japan which were lead by only Okinawa citizen, both of the U.S. And Japanese government had to realize return of Okinawa in 1972. On same age before return of Okinawa, there was case in Koza. It was typical case that Okinawans' rage got explored. Even Okinawa prefecture revived, most of problems in Okinawa are not solved yet.
Okinawa History
Written by Yuko Kawata
