Outline of Ryukyuan Genealogy (Acknowledgement)
Dana Masayuki (Okinawa International University)
Ryukyuan Kafu is the records of family-tree prepared for gentry after the later part of
17th century. It is believed that almost 3,000 Kafu were made not only for people of
Shuri, Naha but also for Kume Jima, Miyako, and Yaeyama during the period of the
Ryukuan Kingdom till the middle of 19th century. A title page was attached on temporary
binding pages indicating [0 Uji (surname) Kaful or {O Uji Genealogy Kafu} in Miyako and
Yaeyama. The contents are "Sekeizu" which designed the family-tree, and "Kafu kiroku"
showing family data and biography. It has been used both words, "Kafu" and "Keizu" but
generally it was called "Keizu
(Cheeji)". And they were basically written in Chinese
characters, but award and complimentary articles were written in "sooroo" sentences as
they appeared in administrative works. In this instance, they were Ryukyuan characters.
Well! There were many special characteristics in the Ryukyuan Kafu, but following 3
points may be considered important.
1.
It was ordered by the Shuri Kingdom Administration, The second copy was
kept in the Keizu-Za,and they are official documents maintained by the
Keizu-za including supplements.
2 Only gentry are approved to prepare Kafu. They were the documents to
identify their gentry status. Therefore, commoners with no family-tree were
called, Mukei (no family chain)
2.
It significantly influenced to established "Munchuu" which were organization
of paternal blood related families including adoption of the Uji system.
Editing of Kafu:
Followings are general outline of various activities leading to the development of
Ryukyu Kafu.
1.
1643 Completed "Kanei Sho kakei denzu" Which was ordered by Japanese
Edo Bakufu to Daimyoo, Hatamoto, and gentry families and editing started in
1641.
2.
1650 Haneji Chooshuu editing "Chuuzan sekan" by ordered of the king.
3.
1670 King Shootei ordered his each subordinate to edit their Kafu
4.
1679 Regent,Ohzato Ooji corrected the Kafu made by people by King's order.
5.
1689 Establish the Keizu-za, defined various systems, started
permanent-type , Kafu editing.
Uji (Surname) and Nanui
It is believed that "Kanei shokakei denzu" completed by the Japanese Bakufu in 1643
made significant influences upon the Shun Kingdom. The kingdom administration
ordered Haneji to prepare the genealogy of loyal family. This became the first official
history of the Shun kingdom, "Chuuzsan sekan". Later when it was translated into
Chinese and improved, it was interpreted to mean that the loyal family tree is the
historical record of the generation and the title was changed to "Chuuzan sefu", it was
continuously updated as the official historical data of Chuuza until abolished.
Development of Kafu started at the time when the loyal genealogy started. After
several improvement stages, the permanent editing system was established and the
editing project initiated in 1689.
Uji (surname)and Nanui
At the itme of Kafu editing in 1689, the Uji (Chinese surname) was determined based
upon Munchuu as a unit such as Shoo Uji, Moo Uji, Ba Uji, etc, and the first Chinese
character of individual given name was decided. The shoo Uji has "Choo", Gosamaru"s
Moo Uji is "Sei", the Ufu Ohshiro"s chain is "An", the Ba Uji of Kunigami Aji family is "Sei"
and Urasoe Uweekata's chain is "Ryoo" etc. Family names of officials in the kingdom
administration came from village or territory of his ruling. As a result, some prestigious
families had a different family name for each member, as parents, brothers and relatives
were separately awarded a village or district. The Uji which originally came from Chine,
therefore, was fixed to a munchuu to represent a blood related group. The idea may be
derived from the kafu of gentry in Kume village it has been a significant characteristic of
the Ryukyuan Kafu.
Shitsugi and inspection of the Keiozu-za
When kafu was prepared, the administration ordered gentry to submit 2 copies of each
kafu to the Keizu-za, one copy (formal copy) was stamped "Seal of Shuri" (official seal of
the king), and returned to the originator and the 2nd copy was retained by the Keizu-za.
After that, every 5 years, personal historical data and koseki etc. new additional
information was made, This was call "Shitsugi" All additional data must have a back-up
proof. It is assumed that beck-up evidences and proof were needed at the time of
establishment. Basically all entries to kafu required supporting data. To register a child,
request with signatures of about 10 people of munchuu and relatives must be submitted
within one week, "Seishi Shoobun" (Birth certificate)(first submitted to Ufuyo-za
stamped and returned to requestor) was needed. Occupational experience required to
be accompanied by a certificate from the appropriate office. The Keizu-za carefully
reviewed submitted documents, misspelling and errors were corrected and remarks
added. The package was returned to the originator who in turn, corrected and
re-submitted 2 copies the final documents to the Kaizu-za. One copy was stamped and
returned to be attached to the formal copy. Another copy was retained by the Keizu-za
to be file with the 2nd copy. Such strict inspection and review by the Keizu-za gave Strong
reliability and confidence to the kafu of Ryukyu. They are private kafu of subjects, but
also official document of the kingdom.
Kafu and Personal status
Establishment of the kafu clearly distinguished gentry who maintain kafu and general
public with no kafu (commoner, & town commoner in town). There were differences in
personal status and distinction existed before but, the kafu system made commoners to
be called "Mukei" (without genealogy). At the same time, strict rules were established on
the qualification of gentry. One who engaged in daily maintenance works, performs
agricultural works, live in country-side, etc., were subject to confiscation of gentry status
or downgrade of family status. This is because they violate the general rules that all
gentry must serve the loyal administration and reside in Shuri or Naha. But such rules
were loosened because in reality, the administration was no able to provide jobs to all
gentry and many gentry moved to the country-side and engaged in farming.
In addition, Kafu significantly affected the inheritance system of family chain, If there
was no one from a close family to inherit the family, then they went to a remote family,
and if still no one is available, they went to mukei to find one. The problem of
determining heir was a headache of the administration. However, the "Tabu" currently
exists was not necessarily a big problem at that time. The reviewing function in the
administration has made a proper and appropriate decision. It is in the recent years,
after the collapsed of the kingdom, that the problem became adversely affected by the
original rule and difficult to solve..
At closing
For individual owner of the Ryukyu kafu, it is the family register of ancestors of the
family and historical data of the family., The record of ancestor is related to
understanding of history of the Ryukyu Administration, that's why the kafu has a value
as historical data. Major events of the Ryukyu Administration have been written as
official data on official documents but many of them seemed to be written based upon
kafu entries. Kafu belong to an officer engaged in a event, show articles of the event as
his occupational accomplishments. Such entries often describe the event more effective
than official entries. Something maybe discovered by accumulation and analysis of data
from a number of kafu. Or sometimes, there was only one kafu showed very valuable
information. Also, Koseki of 200-300 years ago, provide us various data such as
marriage, divorce, longevity, changes of name, etc at each respective period. The value of
Kafu gave us information in many areas.