# Administrative divisions of the Ryukyu Kingdom

The administrative divisions of the Ryukyu Kingdom were a hierarchy composed of districts, magiri, or Okinawan: majiri cities, villages, and islands established by the Ryukyu Kingdom throughout the Ryukyu Islands.

## Divisions

There were three districts (方) or hō: Kunigami [ja] (国頭), Nakagami [ja] (中頭), and Shimajiri [ja] (島尻), which roughly correspond to the borders of the three Okinawan kingdoms during the Sanzan period. There were 57 magiri (間切, Okinawan: majiri) throughout the kingdom including the Amami Islands. In concept they were similar to present-day Japanese prefectures, but in size they were closer to Japanese cities, towns and villages. There were four cities: Shuri (首里), Naha (那覇), Tomari (泊), and Kume (久米). They were comparable to Japanese urban prefectures. There were over 600 villages (村, Okinawan: mura) throughout the kingdom including the Amami Islands. There were approximately 24 shima (島) or "outlying islands", but only including islands that weren't already part of a magiri.

## History

The three districts are based on the three kingdoms of Hokuzan, Chūzan, and Nanzan. The origin of the magiri system is unclear, but was solidified by the beginning of the reign of Shō Shin, the third king of the Second Shō Dynasty of the Ryukyu Kingdom who ruled between 1477 and 1526. The magiri were originally controlled by individual aji and oyakata, whose ruling area overwrapped in parts. While as the Ryukyu Kingdom centralized at the turn of the 15th century, the aji relocated to the capital of the kingdom at Shuri. After this period the title of aji became symbolic, and low-ranking officials were assigned the day-to-day administration of the magiri.
Each magiri had several villages, sometimes referred to as shima, which represented an administrative unit similar to the mura, or village, in feudal Japan. Each magiri had five to ten villages. Ryukyuan commoners were registered to a particular village, and movement to or from the administrative areas was generally not permitted. Under the system of Shō Shin the central government at Shuri assigned each village a noro priestess to carry out the religious functions of the settlement. The area was mapped on the Ryukyu kuni-ezu (琉球國絵図 of 1696 or 9th year of Genroku) was compiled. That made it possible for the first time, to clarify the geopolitical location of ancient place names.
The magiri system continued to varying degrees in the Amami Islands even after they were ceded to Satsuma Domain in 1624. On Okinawa Island, there were 27 magiri at the turn of the 17th century, but by the 19th century Misato, Kushi, Motobu, Ginowan, Oroku, Onna, Ōgimi, and Yonagusuku were created, bringing the total to 35. The magiri system continued after the end of the Ryukyu Kingdom and annexation of the islands by Japan in 1879. In 1907, under Imperial Edict 46 [ja], the Japanese administrative system of cities, towns, and village organization was extended to Okinawa. The magiri system was officially abolished on April 1, 1908.

## List of magiri

The following is a list of magiri by district:

### Kunigami District

Kunigami District (国頭方, Kunigami-hō, Okinawan: Kunjan-hō), also known as Okinawan: 山原, romanized: Yanbaru and Kunigami or Hokuzan-fu (北山府) in Kanbun, roughly correspond to the territory of Hokuzan during the Sanzan period.
| Area | Name | Kanji | Okinawan name | present-day | notes |
| Northern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Kunigami | 国頭間切 | Kunjan | Kunigami | |
| Northern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Ōgimi | 大宜味間切 | Wujimi | Ōgimi | established in 1673; changed name from Taminato (田港) in 1695 |
| Northern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Iheya | 伊平屋間切 | Ihya | Iheya, Izena | |
| Northern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Haneji | 羽地間切 | Haniji | Nago (Haneji area, Yagaji area) | |
| Northern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Nakijin | 今帰仁間切 | Nachijin | Nakijin | |
| Northern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Motobu | 本部間切 | Mutubu | Motobu | established in 1666; changed name from Inoha (伊野波) in 1667 |
| Northern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Nago | 名護間切 | Nagu | Nago, excluding Haneji and Yagaji areas | |
| Northern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Kushi | 久志間切 | Kushi | Higashi and part of Nago | established in 1673 |
| Northern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Kin | 金武間切 | Chin | Kin, Ginoza | |
| Southern Amami Islands | Erabu | 永良部間切 | Irabu | China, Wadomari, (Kagoshima Prefecture | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom |
| Southern Amami Islands | Yoron | 与論間切 | Yunnu | Yoron | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom |

### Nakagami District

Nakagami District (中頭方, Nakagami-hō, also known as Okinawan: 上方, romanized: Wiikata) or Chūzan-fu (中山府) in Kanbun, roughly correspond to the territory of Chūzan during the Sanzan period.
| Area | Name | Kanji | Okinawan name | present-day | notes |
| Central area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Onna | 恩納間切 | Unna | Onna | established in 1673 |
| Central area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Yomitanzan | 読谷山間切 | Yuntanja | Yomitan | |
| Central area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Goeku | 越来間切 | Gwiiku | Okinawa City | |
| Central area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Misato | 美里間切 | Njatu | Okinawa City, Uruma (Ishikawa Area) | established in 1666 |
| Central area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Gushikawa | 具志川間切 | Gushichaa | Uruma (Gushikawa area) | |
| Central area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Katsuren | 勝連間切 | Kacchan | Uruma (Katsuren area) | |
| Central area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Yonashiro | 与那城間切 | Yunagushiku | Uruma (Yonashiro area) | established with the name Nishihara (西原) in 1676; changed name to Hirata (平田) in the same year; finally changed to Yonashiro in 1687. |
| Central area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Nishihara | 西原間切 | Nishibaru | Nishihara | |
| Central area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Chatan | 北谷間切 | Chatan | Chatan, Kadena, part of Okinawa City | |
| Central area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Nakagusuku | 中城間切 | Nakagushiku | present Nakagusuku, Kita-Nakagusuku, Uruma (Tsuken Island) | |
| Central area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Ginowan | 宜野湾間切 | Jinōn | present-day Ginowan | established in 1671 |
| Central area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Urasoe | 浦添間切 | Urashii | Urasoe | |
| Central area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Nakazato | 仲里間切 | Nakajatu | Kumejima (Nakazato area) | |
| Central area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Uezu | 上江洲間切 | Wiiji | Kumejima (Gushikawa area) | |
| Four cities (not included in magiri) | Tomari | 泊 | Tumai | Naha (northern area of Naha) | |
| Four cities (not included in magiri) | Naha | 那覇 | Nafa, Nafaa | Naha (southern area of Naha), Tokashiki, Zamami | contains 4 towns (町, machi): Wakasa-machi (若狭町, Okinawan: Wakasa-machi), Higashi-machi (東町, Okinawan: Figashi-machi), Nishi-machi (西町, Okinawan: Nishi-machi) and Izumizaki (泉崎, Okinawan: Ijunjachi) |
| Four cities (not included in magiri) | Kume | 久米 | Kuninda | Naha (Kume area) | community of Thirty-six families from Min. full name: Kumemura (久米村) Chinese name: Táng íng (唐營) before 1650; Táng róng (唐榮) since 1650 |
| Four cities (not included in magiri) | Shuri Mihira | 首里三平等 | Sui Mifira | Naha (Shuri area, Mawashi area), Nishihara, Haebaru) | contains Shuri Castle and 3 hira (平等, Okinawan: fira): Mawashi no hira (真和志之平等, Okinawan: Maaji nu fira), Hae no hira (南風之平等, Okinawan: Fee nu fira) and Nishi no hira (西之平等, Okinawan: Nishi nu fira) |

### Shimajiri District

Shimajiri District (島尻方, Shimajiri-hō, also known as Okinawan: 下方, romanized: Shimukata) or Nanzan-fu (南山府) in Kanbun, roughly correspond to the territory of Nanzan during the Sanzan period.
| Area | Name | Kanji | Okinawan name | present-day | notes |
| Southern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Tomigusuku | 豊見城間切 | Tumigushiku | Tomigusuku | |
| Southern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Oroku | 小禄間切 | Uruku | Naha (Oroku area) | established in 1672 |
| Southern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Takamine | 高嶺間切 | Takanmi | Itoman (excluding Kyan and Mabuni areas) | changed name from Shimajiriōzato (島尻大里) in 1667 |
| Southern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Kyan | 喜屋武間切 | Chan | Itoman (Kyan area) | |
| Southern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Mabuni | 摩文仁間切 | Mabuni | Itoman (Mabuni area) | |
| Southern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Makabe | 真壁間切 | Makabi | Itoman (Makabe area) | |
| Southern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Kanegusuku | 兼城間切 | Kanigushiku | Itoman (Kanegusuku area) | also known as Okinawan: 島尻兼城, romanized: Shimajirikanegusuku |
| Southern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Kochinda | 東風平間切 | Kuchinda | Yaese (Kochinda area) | |
| Southern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Gushichan | 具志頭間切 | Gushichan | Yaese (Gushichan area) | |
| Southern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Ōzato | 大里間切 | Ufuzatu | Nanjō (Ōzato area), Yonabaru) | changed name from Shimazoeōzato (島添大里) in 1667 |
| Southern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Sashiki | 佐敷間切 | Sashichi | Nanjō (Sashiki area, Chinen area) | |
| Southern area of Okinawa Main Island and nearby islands | Tamagusuku | 玉城間切 | Tamagushiku | Nanjō (Tamagusuku area) | |

### Sakishima Islands

| Area | Name | Kanji | Okinawan name | present-day |
| Miyako Islands | Hirara | 平良間切 | Teera | Miyakojima (Hirara area) |
| Miyako Islands | Shimoji | 下地間切 | Shimuji | Miyakojima (Shimoji area, Ueno area) |
| Miyako Islands | Sunakawa | 砂川間切 | Shinachaa | Miyakojima (Gusukube area) |
| Yaeyama Islands | Ōhama | 大浜間切 | Ufuhama | Ishigaki |
| Yaeyama Islands | Miyara | 宮良間切 | Myaara | Ishigaki |
| Yaeyama Islands | Ishigaki | 石垣間切 | Ishigachi | Ishigaki |

### Northern Amami Islands

| Area | Name | Kanji | Okinawan name | present-day | notes |
| Amami Ōshima | Kasari | 笠利間切 | | Amami (Kasari area) | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom |
| Amami Ōshima | Komi | 古見間切 | | Tatsugō, Amami | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom |
| Amami Ōshima | Naze | 名瀬間切 | | Yamato, Amami | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom |
| Amami Ōshima | Yakiuchi | 焼内間切 | | Yamato, Uken | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom |
| Amami Ōshima | Sumiyō | 住用間切 | | Amami (Sumiyō area) | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom |
| Amami Ōshima | Nishikata | 西方間切 | | Setouchi | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom |
| Amami Ōshima | Higashikata | 東方間切 | | Setouchi | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom |
| Kikaijima | Shidooke | 志戸桶間切 | | Kikai (Shidooke area) | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom |
| Kikaijima | Higa | 東間切 | | Kikai (Sōmachi area) | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom |
| Kikaijima | Isago | 伊砂間切 | | Kikai (Isago area) | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom established in 1693 |
| Kikaijima | Nishime | 西目間切 | | Kikai (Nishime area) | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom |
| Kikaijima | Wan | 湾間切 | | Kikai (Wan area) | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom |
| Kikaijima | Araki | 荒木間切 | | Kikai (Araki area) | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom |
| Tokunoshima | Higashi | 東間切 | | Tokunoshima | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom |
| Tokunoshima | Omonawa | 面縄間切 | Unnō | Isen | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom |
| Tokunoshima | Nishime | 西目間切 | | Amagi | de facto incorporated into Satsuma Domain (Ōsumi Province) since 1624; de jure remained a part of Ryukyu Kingdom |