Ryukyu Islands (Group leader Taku Iida)

Neolithisation 10-15^thc; Modernisation 17-19^th c

Area: Okinawa Island

Reasons for selection:

(1) Ry. area belongs to the sub-tropical climate and is situated in the Southernmost end of the Japanese Archipelago;

(2) Represents the cultural and historical diversity of the Japanese Archipelago with its Oceanic culture and Ryukyu Kingdom;

(3) Trading spot between Japan, China, Korea and South-East Asia;

(4) Long foraging period followed by the introduction of agriculture and rapid development of the state order around 10^th to 12^th c AD;

(5) Modernisation brought by colonial powers.

Important issues during the Neolithisation period:

(1)   Foraging economy.

(2)   Late introduction of agriculture and production economy. Cultivation of miscellaneous cereals unlike on the rice-dominated Honshu.

(3)   Trade activities with China, cultural exchange with other Oceanic cultures.

Formation of state order and its impact on the environmental perception.

Important issues during the Modernisation period:

(1)   Unification of kingdoms and the formation of Ryukyu Kingdom

(2)   Intermediate trade as the basis for economy.

(3)   Subordination to the Chinese Qing dynasty and the two-level government model; Chinese influence;

(4)   Colonial economy brought by the invasion of bakufu authorities in the 17^th c.