Entertaining the Satsuma Viceroys
During the period from 1433-1833, when the kings of Ryukyu were vassals of the Chinese emperor, a special cuisine was developed to welcome and entertain the emperor's envoys, known as "Sapposhi," on their official visits to the kingdom. Not surprisingly, this cuisine featured Chinese food.
In 1609 forces of the Satsuma fief in southern Kyushu invaded Ryukyu. The kingdom came under Satsuma's control and a viceroy appointed by the Satsuma authorities took up residence at Naha. To entertain the viceroy and his retinue of officials, the Ryukyu court prepared Japanese dishes.
The food served at events during the year at Shuri Castle seems to have been mainly Japanese. It is said that the meals served in the South Hall at New Year's were simple one-soup, two-vegetable affairs. The annual festivals and banquets to which Satsuma officials were invited also featured Japanese food. Again, Japanese food was on the menu when Shuri nobles went down to Naha to entertain the viceroy and when the Ryukyu court officers at Naha did the same. Public celebrations also seem to have featured principally Japanese cuisine.
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