In the long history of the Ryukyus, this glorious kingdom began treading its path to establishment in the late 12th century. Around the same time as the birth of the Tokugawa shogunate, in the late 12th century AD, Tenson, descendant of Amamikiyo, the mythical creator of the Ryukyus, was defeated by Shunten- who assumed the title of king and came to rule the central Urasoe district. Actualizing this trade relation and introducing the Ryukyus as a sovereign nation to the world was Satto, successor to Eiso. As king of the Chuzan kingdom, Satto sent a mission with tributary gifts by sea to China. Through this mission, Satto established a tributary relationship under a policy that swore allegiance to China.For years, the Ryukyus were controlled by three different principalities, situated in the north, the central area, and the south- until the arrival of Sho Hashi, successor to the central Chuzan throne. Sho Hashi unified the three principalities to establish the Ryukyu Kingdom and the first Sho dynasty thus appeared in history. Sho Hashi constructed Shuri Castle and expanded trade to Southeast Asia. The establishment of this trade route brought to the islands the culture of producing Awamori liquor, Bingata stencil-dyes and Kasuri Ikat. The late fifteenth century brought the second Sho dynasty into existence. The dynasty lasted for more than four centuries, a hundred years longer than the 300-year Tokugawa Shogunate. The third successor to the throne of the second Sho Dynasty founded by Sho En was his son, Sho Shin, who reigned during the period known as the ﾒGolden Age of the Ryukyus.ﾓ Ascending the throne at thirteen and living to the age of sixty-two, Sho Shin created the foundation for a centralized government in the islands with its seat of power in Shuri. He also instituted the establishment of a status system that classified rank by garments and colorful caps by incorporating the Chinese system. In 1609, a crisis erupts in the peaceful second Sho dynasty. King Sho Nei ascended the throne during this dramatic era and faced invasion by the Satsuma clan. After the Battle of Sekigahara, the Satsuma clanﾕs strong wish to invade the Ryukyus was granted by the Tokugawa Shogunate. A meticulous raid by an army of three thousand troops, one hundred battleships and seven hundred firearms began in the Ryukyus.Efforts by Minister Jana Weikata and other brave officials to fight the battle were fruitless. The Ryukyu Kingdom was defeated with minimal resistance within a month and was taken under Satsuma control.The Ryukyus sent envoy missions to the Tokugawa Shogunate whenever a new shogun emerged in Edo, or at times when a new king was appointed in the Ryukyu Kingdom. Traveling with gifts of Ryukyuan pottery, lacquer ware　and woven textiles to Edo, their processions were called ﾒEdo Nobori.ﾓ The art of beautiful Ryukyuan pottery handed down to this day blossomed greatly during this period.The Ryukyuans tread their way on a new path and restored their kingdom. They continued to evolve their indigenous culture that shone in glory till the last king of the dynasty, Sho Tai, surrendered the castle under the Meiji annexation.