Miyakojima

Miyakojima lies between Okinawa and the Yaeyama Islands, surrounded by warm subtropical seas. Its leader Nakasone Toyomiya guided the Ryūkyū royal forces against Oyake Akahachi in 1500 and was appointed head of Miyako for his service. His descendants held important offices on the island. From 1637 the Shuri government imposed a poll tax on Miyako and Yaeyama, demanding grain and later cloth from islanders under a heavy fiscal burden.