Visions of Ryukyu

This historical study examines the complex political status of the Kingdom of Ryukyu (modern Okinawa) during its ambiguous period between 1609 and 1879, when it existed as neither fully independent nor completely absorbed by its powerful neighbors. The book traces how this island kingdom navigated dual subordination to both China and Japan following the Satsuma invasion, creating a unique diplomatic position within East Asian international relations. Smits meticulously documents Ryukyu's strategic balancing act within the Tokugawa bakuhan state system while maintaining its ceremonial ties to the Chinese tributary system.

What makes this work particularly compelling is its exploration of how Ryukyuan identity and sovereignty were constructed through this very ambiguity, rather than despite it. Readers interested in borderland studies, colonial encounters, and the fluid nature of political boundaries will find rich material in this examination of a kingdom that mastered the art of survival through strategic ambiguity. The book ultimately reveals how smaller powers creatively navigated the complex geopolitical landscape of early modern East Asia, offering fresh perspectives on sovereignty that resonate with contemporary global politics.