Military of the Ryukyu Kingdom

Ryukyuan Military
Royal crest of the King of Ryukyu
Active	Early 15th century - 1879
Disbanded	1879
Country	Ryukyu Kingdom
Type	Army Navy
Role	Military, police, administration
Weapons	Swords, bows, spears, guns, cannon
Engagements	Unification of Okinawa (1403-1429) Amawari's Rebellion (1458) Akahachi's Rebellion (1500) Invasion of Ryukyu (1609)
Commanders
Notable commanders	Shō Hashi Gosamaru Shō Shin Jana Ueekata

The military of the Ryukyu Kingdom defended the kingdom from 1429 until 1879. It had roots in the late army of Chūzan, which became the Ryukyu Kingdom under the leadership of King Shō Hashi. The Ryukyuan military operated throughout the Ryukyu Islands, the East China Sea, and elsewhere that Ryukyuan ships went. Ryukyu primarily fought with other Ryukyuan kingdoms and chiefdoms, but also Japanese samurai from Satsuma Domain and pirates. Soldiers were stationed aboard ships and Ryukyuan fortifications. The Ryukyuan military declined after the 17th century until it was abolished following the Japanese annexation of Ryukyu in 1879.